Ford global warming announcement unimpressive
For more information contact:
Danielle Fugere (415) 577-5594
Nick Berning, 202-222-0748
Ford seeks credit for setting global warming pollution reduction goals, but goals merely match existing regulatory requirements—requirements Ford fought against
In response to pressure from institutional shareholders, the Ford Motor Company announced today that it has pledged to adopt concrete greenhouse gas reduction targets. However, the move left an environmental group with a history of Ford-related advocacy unimpressed.
“Ford has taken a step forward by acknowledging the need to reduce global warming pollution from its cars and trucks. But what really matters is whether Ford’s targets achieve strong reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—and we don’t believe they do,” said Danielle Fugere of Friends of the Earth. “Ford’s targets don’t appear to promise reductions greater than what Ford is already required to do under recently adopted national fuel economy standards.”
“Moreover, while purporting to adopt meaningful greenhouse gas reduction targets, the company continues to fight important global warming measures in Congress and in the courts,” Fugere said. “It’s also significant that Ford’s commitment comes in response to the activism of institutional investors. These investors deserve the lion’s share of the credit for today’s announcement that Ford will publicize its goals.”
Friends of the Earth has tangled with Ford in the past. In its “Jump Start Ford” campaign, Friends of the Earth, in coalition with other environmental groups, pressed Ford to increase the fuel economy of its fleet and live up to its promise of improving SUV fuel economy by 25 percent. Ford did not live up to that commitment, but it has moved from having the worst fuel economy of any major automaker to second worst, behind General Motors.
Ford’s overall record on global warming leaves much to be desired. The automaker opposed the federal increase in fuel economy standards enacted by Congress last year, and it has fought tooth and nail to prevent implementation of laws limiting global warming pollution from vehicles in California and other states.
Friends of the Earth (www.foe.org) is the U.S. voice of the world’s largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 70 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of high-profile efforts to create a more healthy, just world.