Ford Motor Company Receives World Environment Center's 2020 Gold Medal Award for Corporate Sustainability
December 16, 2020 /3BL Media/ - The World Environment Center (WEC) honored the Ford Motor Company by awarding it the 36th annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. Due to the global pandemic, WEC held a virtual presentation on December 15, 2020. Bob Holycross, Ford’s Chief Sustainability, Environment and Safety Officer, joined the event to accept the award.
WEC and all those in attendance were honored to have Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, representing Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, present the award through a pre-recorded message and Ford’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Jim Farley, accept on behalf of the company, celebrating its outstanding work in sustainability through a recorded message.
Through a global competition, the independent Gold Medal Jury selected Ford’s application for their commitment to transforming its culture and innovating across the business, from the production line to the design studio; for its commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions from its facilities and vehicles, in line with the climate targets outlined in the Paris Climate Accord; and for a global carbon reduction strategy focused on powering facilities with renewable energy.
The Honorable Debbie Dingell said, “to my dear friend, Bill Ford, Jim Farley, and the entire Ford Motor Company and its employees, congratulations on this well-earned award and recognition. When it comes to existential threats like climate change, we need companies like Ford who aren’t afraid to lead and do what’s right. We need corporations that see sustainability not just as a moral imperative but an economic opportunity to shape our future. I am so honored to present the Gold Medal Award, from the World Environment Center to Bill Ford, Jim Farley, and the Ford Motor Company today.” Link to the full message from Congressoman Dingell can be found here.
In acknowledging receipt of the prestigious global sustainability award, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley said, “When you look at Ford’s sustainability story over the last 20 years, we have come a long way under Bill Ford’s leadership. He has truly been a pioneer in our industry on this issue, pushing us to do more to reduce our impact on the planet. As the only U.S. automaker to stand with the Paris Climate Agreement, and with California to adopt more meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions, we are proud to lead the way in reducing our impact on the planet while still delivering great products for our customers. On behalf of the Ford team, thank you for honoring us with this year’s Gold Medal Award.” Link to the full message from CEO Jim Farley can be found here.
Ford’s Holycross said, "It’s a great honor to be here on behalf of the entire Ford Team. It’s such an important time in the company’s history. Earlier this year, we announced our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2050. It is important to have ambition, but it’s also important to advocate for the right policies and to have the courage to take stand when necessary. We know what’s good for the planet is good for our business. This award is an acknowledgement of our progress and an encouragement for us to do more.”
Glenn Prickett, WEC President & CEO, said, “At a time of unprecedented global challenges we need determined leadership from the private sector. It is especially gratifying to end this year with a celebration of the Ford Motor Company’s achievements and the example they provide to others in the private sector. WEC congratulates Ford on its Gold Medal Award and looks forward to its continuing leadership to strengthen business performance and create a better society.”
The World Environment Center’s Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development was established in 1985 to recognize significant industry initiatives in global environmental excellence and sustainable development. Recent recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award are: Ingersoll Rand (now Trane Technologies; 2019), Ecolab (2018), HP Inc. (2017), CH2M (2016), SC Johnson (2015), Unilever (2013), IBM (2012), Nestlé (2011), Wal-Mart Stores (2010), The Coca-Cola Company (2009), and Marks & Spencer (2008).
The Gold Medal Jury is independent of WEC and its programs, and is composed of international leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and retired industry professionals.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.
About the World Environment Center
The World Environment Center, headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices and operations in emerging and developed markets, is unique in its direct application of sustainable development strategies and practices to the business operations of global companies. WEC creates sustainable business solutions through individual projects in emerging markets; convenes leadership roundtables to shape strategic thinking across a range of sustainability topics with a specific focus on the preparation of business leaders to implement sustainability; and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. An independent non-profit organization, WEC conducts no advocacy activities. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.
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