The Ford Motor Company is one of them. The auto major underlined its commitment to green thinking by hosting an environment day at the recent Auto Expo in New Delhi. ``We have a vision of a clean and green environment. We want to be a positive force in increasing awareness and sensitivity about the issue amongst the community as a part of being good corporate citizens,'' says Philip G Spender, managing director, Ford India.

The idea behind celebrating a green day at the Auto Expo was to make children from six Delhi schools aware of contemporary environmental issues like the harmful effects of plastic bags, the importance ofcomplying with emission norms, efficient use of fossil fuels and the importance of afforestation. ``Kids are the future of India. By organising quizzes, a fashion show and a painting competition revolving around the environmental theme, we are making them think green,'' claims Spender.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit endorsed a pledge for a clean and green Delhi on the occasion. Addressing school-children, the chief minister appealed, ``On this rare day of good sunshine, let us join hands to make a beautiful Delhi. In our city, one of the over-riding environmental concerns is the sub-standard quality of vehicular emissions. With the entry of multinationals like Ford, Hyundai and Daewoo, I am sure cleaner and greener vehicles with better pollution control devices will become the norm,'' she said.

Another big step toward a cleaner environment is to popularise the use of alternative fuels. ``Our government is committed to encouraging vehicles that use compressed natural gas. Already, over 30 DelhiTransport Corporation buses are running on it and we are working toward the April deadline set by the judiciary,'' she added. The initiative was in line with the stress on environmental leadership emphasised by William Ford, chairman of the board, Ford Motor Company. ``Ford is dedicated to providing ingenious environmental solutions that will position it as a leader of the automobile industry in the 21st century. Ford's actions will demonstrate that it cares about preserving the environment for future generations,'' he says.

John Fink, vice-president, marketing, sales and service, Ford India, says the company's products reflect the chairman's promise. ``The Ford Icon is Euro II compliant much ahead of the stipulated deadline and has additionalenvironmental features like CFC-free charging of the air-conditioning system and CFC-free protective refrigeration system. All plastic components in the car mention the nature of the plastic and the degree of readiness for being recycled,'' he says.

Spender liststhe other environmentally friendly initiatives taken by the company recently. ``Our water treatment plant returns completely clean water to the environment through a state-of-the-art recycling process. More than 65 acres of lawns around our plant are watered by reused water and the solid waste that remains is disposed off in the least harmful manner,'' he claims.

Spender says the company's mantra for 2000 is `Go Green, Go Forward'. Ford is ready for the environmental challenges of the new decade and wants to partner the government in creating a behavioural change among people towards healthier environmental practices. ``The industry and the government need to work together and work out a strategy. Industry organisations like the Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers can act as intermediaries in forging such an alliance. We are an active member of SIEM and through events like the environment day, we are sending out what we believe is the right message. Inculcating green habits among school-childrenalso means influencing their parents. We plan to repeat the exercise at the next expo, too,'' says Spender.