DETROIT, Sept. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- General Motors for
the first time achieved perfect scores on both climate change data
disclosure and performance submitted to CDP, the world's only
global environmental disclosure system.
Featured in the CDP S&P 500 Climate Change Report 2014, GM
ranks among the world's largest companies acting in response to a
changing climate.
The achievement was announced as world leaders gather in
New York City during Climate Week
to discuss the challenges and opportunities of global warming.
"Our customers expect us to help mitigate, if not eliminate,
issues such as congestion and pollution," said GM CEO Mary Barra. "This extends to how we build our
products and how we engage with the world around us. This has led
to expanded use of renewable energy, a 'zero waste' mindset and
other initiatives that have sharply reduced our energy intensity,
resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide."
GM asserts addressing climate change is not only good for the
environment, it delivers tangible business value. With a
customer-driven sustainability approach, the company restructured
its product portfolio to maximize vehicle efficiencies and
rethought its manufacturing process to conserve resources vital to
the industry.
"Our CDP ranking shows that we're measuring and pulling insight
from our energy and carbon data to capitalize on opportunities for
greater efficiency," said Barra. "It reinforces our stewardship and
sustainability goals. Responding to CDP helps us communicate to the
financial community that we're prepared for changing market demands
and emissions regulation."
The CDP program enables management of greenhouse gas emissions
and risks and opportunities associated with climate change. Scores
are communicated to investors and other decision makers.
The S&P 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index highlights
companies listed on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index displaying
a high level of transparency and data quality in their disclosure
of climate-related information. High scores indicate robust climate
data and a good understanding of corporate climate change-related
issues.
For the second time, GM ranks in the top 10 percent of companies
for its disclosure scores. With a perfect score of 100, GM is one
of 33 S&P 500 companies included this year.
GM's inclusion in the S&P 500 Climate Performance Leadership
Index demonstrates its commitment to managing climate change by
integrating it into its business strategy and taking steps to
mitigate climate-related risk. The company's first perfect climate
performance assessment of "A" makes it one of 63 such S&P 500
companies.
Earlier this year, the U.S. EPA recognized GM's efforts to raise
consumer awareness of climate change with a 2014 ENERGY
STAR® Partner of the Year – Climate Communications
Award. GM shares energy efficiency best practices within its own
operations and with suppliers, partners and customers to amplify
the positive effects of energy-efficient behaviors.
Worldwide, GM is working toward a commitment to reduce energy
and carbon intensity from its facilities 20 percent by 2020. The
company received back-to-back ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year -
Sustained Excellence awards and remains the only automaker
signatory of the Climate Declaration. For more information on GM's
environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and
environmental blog.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners
produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership
positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive
markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell
vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden,
Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information
on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global
leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be
found at http://www.gm.com.
SOURCE General Motors