FORD_SRDE_2018

SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2018 57 Protection of Biodiversity At Ford Otosan, we continuously review all our operations by taking into account the impacts of our production activities on biodiversity. We also carry out activities to take rapid action in the field of biodiversity. Thanks to these works, we contribute to the Life Below Water and Life on Land goals among the Sustainable Development Goals. With the project we completed at Kocaeli factories in 2017, we created an inventory with the purpose of protecting and improving biodiversity. We implemented the project in cooperation with Nature Protection Centre and all vegetation and bird species found in the factory region were photographed and reported through repetitive observations at the wetlands, riverbanks, seashores and other areas found within the factory area. Monitoring programs were created for the following years. The study revealed that eight of the bird species found as part of the study were facing extinction with generations being globally vulnerable (VU) and near threat (NT) species. Rapid Assessment of the Current Situation Project was implemented for the aquatic life in the Denizen region of Kocaeli factories within 2018. As part of the project, detailed aquatic surveys were conducted by two divers and a captain who followed them with the boat. Photographs and videos were shot for identification of aquatic life. The observations enabled the identification of 18 fish species and this number was estimated to be between 21 and 23, taking into account some seasonal changes. The study was decided to be continued for one more year with the observations to be recorded every two months to extract the definitive numbers and raise awareness. With the project we completed at Kocaeli factories in 2017, we created an inventory with the purpose of protecting and improving biodiversity.