These are Ford's working definitions of some key concepts in this report. They have proven useful in the development of our thinking on sustainability, because we are accustomed to managing for wise use of capital. We don't presume that they are universally applicable – rather to state what they mean to us in the context of our business. Indeed, we welcome feedback and comment from our readers on these concepts.
Sustainability
At Ford, we have defined sustainability as a business model that seeks to create value for stakeholders by preserving or enhancing environmental, social and economic capital.
Environmental capital
By environmental capital we mean both the natural resources and ecosystem goods and services that are used or impacted in the production and use of the goods and services that businesses provide.
Some forms of environmental capital are finite. There is a given quantity of crude oil in the Earth's reservoirs. The same goes for copper, natural gas, bauxite, iron ore and other resources that manufacturing enterprises like ours use directly in the production of goods. Other natural assets, like wind power, can be renewed indefinitely.
Ecosystems also provide "goods," like clean water, fresh air, biodiversity and unspoiled land, and "services," like the ability of wetlands to cleanse water and the atmosphere to protect us from harmful radiation. In the absence of proper stewardship, these otherwise renewable resources can be consumed or degraded in the production or use of the industrial world's products and services.
Social capital
Social capital refers to the capacity of people in our communities to participate fully in both the production and consumption of our products and services. Social capital includes the capabilities of our workforce – a product of education, training, working conditions, human rights standards and community infrastructure. It includes our connectedness to society and the value we create through engaging with stakeholders.
A major current focus of our social initiatives is the implementation of our Code of Basic Working Conditions in all of the markets and facilities where we operate, as well as throughout our supply chain.
We seek to enhance social capital by, for example, responding to community needs through philanthropic and other financial support and by participating in civic life directly and encouraging our employees to participate.
Economic capital
Economic capital includes the money Ford has available to invest, tangible assets created by our capital investments in property and facilities, and intangible assets like our brand value. It also includes the value we add to the public and private sectors through investments in partnerships, tax payments and other contributions.