Ford continues commitment to environment, donates $10,000 to Forest
Conservation Project
Ford announced the winning project under their Environmental
Conservation and Grants program in Sri Lanka. The ‘Fire Prevention in
Knuckles Forest Reserve’ project was selected as the winner after heavy
jury examination and will receive upto $10,000 from Ford Motor Company
to implement their proposal.
Ford Motor Company's Conservation and Environmental Grants program
has become an annual event in Asia Pacific.
Ford |
Since its inception over ten years ago, the Asia Pacific chapter of
the grants program has supported multiple organizations with significant
fund injections awarded to winning projects.
“This program is one of many initiatives that Ford carries out to
care for the environment and contribute to a better quality of life,”
said David Westerman, Regional Manager, Ford Export and Growth
Operations. “Environmental conservation, protection and education are an
integral part of our business, both in product development and the
execution of our community efforts.”
The Sri Lanka program was announced in late 2011 and in response to a
series of press advertisements, Future Automobiles – Ford’s authorized
dealership in Sri Lanka – received an impressive 53 applications.
These represented proposals from NGOs, student groups, academics,
environmentalists and corporate bodies.
After a careful study of all proposals, four where selected within
the following categories.
*Conservation Engineering
*Protection of the Natural Environment
*Environmental Education
The four finalists’ proposals aimed to benefit projects on greener
fuel production and usage, the conservation of ecosystems, developing
environmental crop areas where wild elephants can habituate, as well as
forest fire prevention and minimization.
The program has received support from various government and private
organizations dedicated to environmental protection.
The jury panel, comprised of experts in different areas of
conservation and not related in any way to Ford Motor Company, selected
winners from any of the categories in accordance with the following
judging criteria:
Usefulness and practicality, dedication, financial need, originality,
replicability
The members of the panel included, Jagath Gunawardena - A prominent
environmentalist in Sri Lanka and the leading environmental attorney.
He possesses a wealth of knowledge in fauna and flora, conservation
and is often a visiting lecturer on environmental issues.
Sunil Udukala - Assistant Director, Central Environmental Authority
of Sri Lanka. (The government body for environment and related areas).
Suraj Fernando - Director, Softlogic Holdings Plc / Future
Automobiles (Pvt) Ltd.
Moderator - Sujeeva Premaratne - COO, Future Automobiles
After heavy scrutiny by the judges, the recommended winning proposal
and recipient of a donation worth up to $10,000 was Preventing the
Forest Fires in the Knuckles Range project.
Project titles
Prevent Forest Fires in the Knuckles Range Benefiting Ecosystems
Electric Hybrid Bus Project
Conserving the Ecosystems Maha Oya and Associated Coastal Wetlands in
Sri Lanka
Develop and Establish Model Chena Plots to minimize Human Elephant
Conflict Green Technology As a company, Ford runs several environmental
initiatives under its Green Technology umbrella.
The company is constantly developing multiple technologies to find
affordable solutions that create products with greater efficiency.
EcoBoost is a great example of Ford’s groundbreaking green technology in
action.
The EcoBoost engines combine direct petrol injection and
turbocharging in smaller-displacement engines to give customers
outstanding fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.
Westerman noted that Ford is continually working to improve the
efficiency of its products and processes, using less energy, water and
other resources.
“As a result of these efforts, our customers get cars with better
fuel economy, safety and quality. In addition, by increasing the use of
recycled or renewable content in our vehicles whenever possible, Ford is
helping reduce waste sent to landfills by millions of pounds,” concluded
Westerman. |