In an effort to reduce carbon footprints of its suppliers, Ford Motor Co. announced it will use collected data and modeling software from PTC Insight to make suggestions on how to cut emissions.
In partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project , the World Resources Institute, and World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Ford said it will survey 35 of its top worldwide suppliers to improve their sustainability practices. The suppliers produce tires, metal components, seats and steering systems.
By Ford's estimate, the automaker spends $65 billion in annual procurement 30% of which goes to the suppliers participating in this project.
The program coincides with Ford's own efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
"Any reductions by suppliers would be in addition to Ford's own goal of reducing greenhouse gases 30% by 2020 from the company's 2006 model year baseline," Ford said in a statement.
Preliminary work with PTC already has found areas where both Ford and its suppliers can reduce carbon emissions.
Ford also is participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project Supply Chain Program and is working with the Automotive Industry Action Group to develop guidelines for measuring supplier emissions. The automaker plans to share its experience in measurement and reporting of corporate and supply chain emissions with the industry group.
Several of Ford's top suppliers -- DuPont, TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., Bosch and Johnson Controls -- are already working to better understand their carbon emissions.
"Climate change has the potential to affect all parts of our business, and is connected to other important issues -- from water availability and energy security to human rights," said Susan Cischke, Ford's vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering. "Understanding the carbon footprint of our supply chain is a crucial part of our comprehensive global strategy to reduce greenhouse gases."
