Sustainability 2011/12

Our Blueprint for Sustainability

Commitment to Human Rights and the U.N. Global Compact

Ford has long recognized that treating people with dignity and respect is fundamental to how we conduct business. We are committed to honoring human rights everywhere we operate, because it is the right thing to do and it strengthens our business in the long run. The foundation of our work on human rights is our Code of Basic Working Conditions, Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility (Policy Letter 24), which applies to our own operations and those of our suppliers. Because of Policy Letter 24, our collective bargaining agreements and our programs for ensuring compliance with our own policies and legal requirements, we do not believe our operations are at significant risk for incidents of child labor, forced labor or restrictions on freedom of association. We have conducted assessments of our facilities that support this conclusion. We also work actively in our supply chain to support human rights and sound working conditions.

In early 2008, Ford joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), a framework for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment and anti-corruption. This action reinforces our commitment to outstanding performance and transparency in these areas. We also actively participate by invitation in both the Human Rights and Supply Chain Sustainability Advisory Groups convened by the Global Compact. In addition, we intend to sign the UNGC’s CEO Water Mandate and the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles.

This sustainability report serves as our annual Communication on Progress to the UNGC. Please see the UNGC index for a guide to where the principles are addressed in this report.

The 10 Principles of the U.N. Global Compact

Human Rights

  • Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
  • Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

Labor Standards

  • Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
  • Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor;
  • Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labor; and
  • Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Environment

  • Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
  • Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
  • Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Anti-Corruption

  • Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.