Hold the confetti. It’s true that Ford Motor Co. has withdrawn from the Global Climate Coalition, an industry group that vigorously opposes mandatory measures to control greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, although other high-profile companies such as British Petroleum have left the group in the past, Ford is the first company belonging to the coalition’s board that has jumped ship. But a Ford spokesperson clarified yesterday that the company still opposes the Kyoto climate change treaty. He said the company believes that global warming is occurring and that efforts should move forward to reduce emissions, but that Kyoto shouldn’t be adopted because it would not impose any emissions restrictions on developing nations. GCC head Connie Holmes said Ford’s move to leave the coalition surprised her, but added, “I’m not sure that we’re not that far apart on any of the issues that matter.”
