Environment Center Honors Ford With 36th Gold Medal For Sustainable Development -- First Carmaker To Win Honor

For the second time in a month, Ford has received a vital sustainability development award. The earlier award was detailed in a story by me recently on the Torque News site.

Environment Center Honors Ford Virutally

Bob Holycross, Ford's chief sustainability, environment, and safety officer, received the award for the automaker. Due to the pandemic, the World Environment Center (WEC) honored Ford at a virtual presentation last week. The award was the Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development. Ford is the first automaker to win the Gold Medal Award.

Following a global competition, the automaker received the honor. An independent Gold Medal Jury named Ford the winner of the honor. Ford was named winner of the honor for its multifaceted work on sustainability. For example, the automaker has made a significant commitment to transforming its business culture while innovating across its business space.

From design studio to production line, Ford has made a crucial commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions at its facilities and vehicles, as outlined by the Paris Climate Accord targets. Further, Ford has committed to a global carbon reduction strategy focused on powering its facilities with renewable energy.

House Member Honors Ford

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, representing Michigan's 12th District, presented the award to Ford and said in a recorded message:

"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."

Jim Farley, Ford president, and CEO acknowledged receipt of the prestigious global sustainability award. He also noted in a recorded acceptance speech that 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 emission reductions, we are proud to lead the way in reducing our impact on the planet while still delivering great products for our customers."

Award Comes At 'Important Time’ In History

Holycross said that this is "such an important time in the company's history." He noted that "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 [a] stand when necessary. We know what's good for the planet is good for our business. This award is an acknowledgment of our progress and our encouragement for us to do more."

Marc Stern signerhas been an auto writer since 1971. It was a position that filled two boyhood dreams: One that I would write, and two that I write about cars. When I took over as my newspaper's auto editor, I began a 32-year career as an automotive columnist. There isn't much on four wheels that I haven't driven or reviewed. My work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Mechanix Illustrated, AutoWeek, SuperStock, Trailer Life, Old Cars Weekly, Special Interest Autos, etc. Today, I am the Ford F150 reporter for Torque News. I write how-to and help columns for online sites such as Fixya.com and others. You can follow me on Twitter signeror Facebook. Most of Marc's stories are part of Torque News Ford coverage. Check back again and search for Torque News Ford F-150 news for more F-150 truck news coverage.