Ford First Automaker to Join The Climate Registry

DEARBORN, Mich., May 5, 2008 – Ford is taking an industry-leading move by becoming the first automaker to join The Climate Registry ( TCR ), building upon Ford’s leadership in facility greenhouse gas ( GHG ) initiatives globally. Ford supports the global harmonization of GHG monitoring and reporting practices. TCR represents a significant step toward that goal.

TCR is a non-profit organization established to measure and publicly report GHG emissions using a single reporting standard across industry sectors. TCR represents a linking of several state-sponsored GHG emissions reporting efforts, including the California Climate Action Registry and the Eastern Climate Registry. TCR’s reporting protocol is based on the internationally recognized GHG emissions measurement standards of the World Resources Institute and World Business Council on Sustainability ( WRI/WBCSD ) – an approach Ford has voluntarily supported since 2001.

Nearly all U.S. states, many Canadian provinces and some Mexican states have adopted TCR’s program, thereby eliminating a patchwork of reporting standards that could lead to unnecessary and time consuming complexity in the system.

“We endorse the TCR’s reporting process because it has adopted the WRI/WBCSD reporting structure, which will ultimately lead to a common, single reporting standard worldwide,” said Larry Merritt, manager, Global Environmental Policy, Ford Motor Company. “A single reporting standard is easier for its members and administrators to manage and more cost effective than developing new tools on a state-by-state basis.”

Following TCR’s reporting process will allow Ford to focus its resources on finding and implementing GHG emissions reduction projects rather than comprehending and implementing complex, disparate reporting requirements around the world. In the U.S. alone, without TCR, each state could have developed its own unique GHG reporting requirements

To become a TCR member, Ford must demonstrate environmental stewardship in several areas by voluntarily committing to measure, independently verify and publicly report GHG emissions on an annual basis utilizing TCR’s General Reporting Protocol. Ford will leverage its emissions monitoring and reporting experience with the Chicago Climate Exchange ( CCX ) to support its commitment to TCR.

“Ford has demonstrated exemplary environmental leadership by courageously stepping forward to support TCR in its preliminary stages,” said Gina McCarthy, Chair of the Climate Registry. “We are deeply grateful for their integral support in helping to address the challenges of climate change.”

Ford is an industry leader in global facility GHG initiatives including voluntary reporting, emissions trading and carbon offset programs. The company has achieved many GHG reporting firsts, most recently as the first automaker to submit a voluntary GHG report to the Chinese government for its Changan Ford Mazda Automobile Co., Ltd. facility in Chongqing, China. Ford’s Chinese report follows the same principles as TCR and other country-specific GHG initiatives Ford has supported.

Ford also was the only automaker to join CCX and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme ( predecessor to the current EU Emissions Trading Scheme ) by voluntarily accepting emissions reduction targets and undergoing third-party verification of GHG emissions data. Ford was the first automaker to voluntarily report facility emissions to the Mexican GHG Program and the Philippine GHG Accounting and Reporting Program.

Ford was also the first to publish an auto industry report dedicated to addressing the business implications of climate change, carbon dioxide emissions and energy security concerns.

“Through these early, voluntary actions, Ford’s manufacturing operations have gained first-hand experience with emerging policy tools,” said Merritt. “Our global, centralized approach has supported our participation in CO2 initiatives in a more cost-effective and operationally-efficient manner. Ford’s early action has also developed internal expertise which enables us to share our lessons learned with others.”