General Motors
CEF Lead Executives
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KRISTEN SIEMENList Item 1
VP & Chief Sustainability Officer
Kristen helps to lead General Motors to a future with zero emissions as the company continues to take bold actions against climate change, including GM’s commitment to become carbon neutral in its products and operations by 2040. Kristen is also passionate about promoting inclusion and gender equality. She was instrumental in creating GM’s career reentry program, “Take 2,” serves as GM’s key executive for the Society of Women Engineers and is the co-lead for the GM Women Ally Program. Since transitioning into her role as CSO in February 2021, Kristen has garnered several individual recognitions for exemplary leadership, most tably including Crain’s table Leaders in Sustainability, Future 50 Tech, and Sustainability Mag’s Top 100 Women in Sustainability. Kristen serves on the Oakland University School of Engineering & Computer Science Advisory Board, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering.
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MARC MENDEN
Executive Director of Central Resiliency, Sustainability, and Partnerships, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain
Marc is responsible for strategy, governance, partnerships, sustainability and supply chain resiliency. In addition, Marc has been a part of the Sustainability Office for General Motors since its inception, which is driving the company’s overall vision of Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion. Previously, Marc served as Executive Director, Strategy, Planning and Operations, GPSC and as VP, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain South America. Prior to GM, Marc spent nine years in numerous purchasing and supply chain leadership roles with Honeywell, including Senior Director, Americas Procurement, Transportation Systems and over 13 years at Ford Motor Company in several leadership and management roles, including the South America region. Marc is a member of the Global Supply Chain Advisory Board at the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University (BYU). Marc graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business management with an emphasis in finance from BYU, followed by an MBA from the University of Arizona.
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BOB BABIKList Item 2
Executive Director, Global Regulatory Affairs
Robert F. Babik is the Executive Director, Global Regulatory Affairs, within the Public Policy Center of General Motors Company. Babik’s global responsibilities include regulatory and policy development on environmental, energy and safety matters relating to both light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles. Babik also has responsibility to coordinate GM’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) programs and oversee the development of GM’s annual sustainability report. Babik works on a wide range of regulatory, legislative and policy issues impacting future vehicle requirements, facility requirements as well as advanced vehicle technology implementation. Babik also leads the company’s engagement and partnerships as they relate to GM’s environmental and sustainability efforts with a variety of GM stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations. Babik began working for the automotive industry over 20 years ago.
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KATHI WALKER
Director, Global Sustainability Strategies
Kathi leads GM’s global efforts to meet Science Based Targets (Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions) commitments and Carbon Neutral goals, Energy Efficiency and Water, Circular Ecomy, and the GM Sustainability Report and other ESG disclosures. Kathi began her career 29 years ago as a GM Co-op student and progressed through engineering and leadership roles in validation, design release, launch, interiors, performance, propulsion, integration & energy. Prior to joining Sustainable Workplaces, Kathi was Senior Manager of Global CO2 Strategy leading a team of analysts and strategists responsible for developing strategies and plans to meet greenhouse gas requirements in all regulated regions of the world. Kathi holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and a Master’s in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic University.
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ROB THRELKELD
Director, Global Energy Strategy & Procurement
Rob is responsible for accessing the feasibility of future projects as they pertain to GM's overall energy strategy, driving towards a cost effective reliable, and resiliency supply while leading efforts to decarbonize. He leads a team supporting GM’s RE100 goal that negotiates long-term power purchase agreements, green tariffs as well as managing all energy procurement needs for GM’s operations. Rob also closely works with the newly launched GM Energy team to assess strategy for deployment of battery storage/behind-the-meter applications-EV integration. Most recently Rob has lead a number of cutting edge efforts to promote the importance of Virtual Power Plants and real time carbon tracking via the Emissions First Partnership. Rob began his career at General Motors in 2000 as manager of the Powerhouse and Wastewater Treatment Plant operations at GM's Lordstown (Ohio) Assembly Complex. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
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SHARON BASEL
Senior Manager, Global Sustainability and ESG
Sharon Basel is the senior manager of sustainability at General Motors. She is responsible for developing the company’s sustainability strategy, ensuring alignment with its business model and identifying key performance indicators and goals for business planning. Sharon leads the global reporting and non-financial disclosure strategy for the company’s sustainability initiatives worldwide, including development of the company’s annual sustainability report and its investor rating, ranking and assessment responses. In addition, she is responsible for cultivating the company’s internal and external community around sustainability to embed and integrate sustainability into business processes in all the various internal functions and leading General Motors’ stakeholder engagement process through its partnership with Ceres and managing other stakeholder relationships globally. Sharon has built her expertise by working in a variety of functions in GM in her 37 years with the company including manufacturing, product development, vehicle safety, and product and sustainability communications.
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MARCELLO MOLLO
Lead Environmental Counsel
Marcello guides the legal team responsible for environmental and sustainability matters including product regulatory and manufacturing. Prior to joining GM in 2016, Marcello enjoyed ten years enforcing the nation’s pollution laws as a trial attorney at the Environmental Enforcement Section, U.S. Department of Justice, where he counseled and represented U.S. agencies in complex civil enforcement matters, receiving numerous awards from DOJ, EPA, and the U.S. Forest Service. He has also represented communities and environmental NGOs as an attorney at Earthjustice and clerked in the Federal District Court in San Diego. Marcello developed his interest in environmental matters growing up across the street from the nation’s largest landfill in Staten Island, New York. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was an executive editor of the environmental law journal.
Sustainability Goals
Sustainability Goals
Outstanding Goals
- Reduce energy intensity by 20% (2010 baseline (by 11% since 2010)
- Reduce water intensity by 15% (2010 baseline)
- Reduce waste intensity by 40% (2010 baseline) (by 31% since 2010)
- Reach 150 landfill-free sites (2010 baseline) (diverted 20.8 million metric tons of waste from landfills since 2010)
- Establish a Wildlife Habitat Certification (or Equivalent) at each GM manufacturing site where feasible (increased wildlife habitat sites 83% and wildlife habitat acreage 87% since 2010)
2030 Sustainability Goals
- Source 100% of electricity from renewable sources in the U.S. by 2025
- Enable the recycling of 100% of end-of-life EV batteries
- Establish a sustainable material target of at least 50% for all vehicles
- Reduce emissions by 31% (2010 baseline)
- Source 100% renewable energy for U.S. facilities
- Ensure at least 50% of the materials in its vehicles are sustainable
- Achieve >90% waste diversion from landfills and incineration globally by 2025
- Make packaging 100% returnable or made from majority sustainable content and zero waste
- Increase its cumulative investment in electric and autonomous vehicles from $27 billion to $35 billion from 2020-2025
- Invest nearly $750 million in EV charging networks through 2025
2035 Sustainability Goals
- Reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 72%
- Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from the use of sold products of light-duty vehicles 51% per vehicle kilometer
- Reduce operational energy intensity by 35%
- Reduce operational water intensity by 35%
- Source 100% renewable electricity at global facilities
- Phase out vehicles using auto-combustion engines
2040 Sustainability Goals
- Source 100% renewable energy for global manufacturing operations
- Achieve carbon neutrality in global products and operations
- Enroll 100% of its "targeted Tier 1 suppliers" in GM’s Supplier Sustainability Program
Past Goals Achieved
- Reduce VOC emissions by 10% (2010 baseline) (reduced by 45% since 2010)
Latest Sustainability Report
(May 2023)
Highlights
- Reached 53% of its 2035 goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 72% (2018 baseline) and 5% of its 2035 goal to reduce energy intensity within operations by 35% (2010 baseline).
- Fulfilled 11% of its 2035 goal to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions from the use of sold products of light-duty vehicles by 51% per vehicle kilometer (2018 baseline).
- Accomplished its 2025 goal to divert over 90% of total operational waste from landfills, incinerators and energy recovery facilities (91.8% waste diversion rate, equating to 1.33 million MT).
- Attained nearly a third of its 2035 goal to reduce water intensity by 35% (2010 baseline).
- Secured electricity agreements to power 100% of U.S. sites from renewable sources by 2025 — 25 years ahead of the initial target.
- On track to produce 400,000 EVs in North America by mid-2024 and contractually secured all battery raw materials to support the goal of having 1 million units of EV capacity in North America in 2025.
- Sold over 750,000 units of remanufactured parts (9 million units since 2013).
- Stewards 40 wildlife conservation programs certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)
- Used approximately 24 million pounds of recycled plastic in GM vehicles.
Recent News
2024
LG CHEM / GENERAL MOTORS — Signed a long-term cathode material supply contract, worth KRW 24.7 trillion ($18.6 billion). LG Chem will supply General Motors over 500,000 tons from 2026 to 2035, produced in its plant in Tennessee, and enough to power about 5 million electric vehicles. (Feb 2024)
GM / HONDA — Have begun commercial production of hydrogen fuel cell systems in a 50-50 joint venture production facility, FCSM, in Michigan. The companies have been increasing durability and performance with this next generation fuel cell system, as well as reducing production costs by one-third. (Jan 2024)
2023
Open Emissions Database (Climate TRACE) — This new inventory provides independently produced estimates of nearly every major source of greenhouse gas emissions around the world, including facilities like power plants and steel mills, as well as fertilizer application, deforestation, and wildfires. The expanded database tracks emissions from more than 352 million assets, 4,400 times increase compared to the assets covered by the inventory last year. CEF members Boeing and General Motors, among others, are collaborating with Climate TRACE to leverage the database in decision-making processes to help drive decarbonization. (Dec 2023)
Zero-Emission Vehicles in Emerging Markets Initiative (ZEV-EMI) — More than 30 major companies have forged collaborative agreements in emerging markets as part of the ZEV-EMI. This public-private action aims to accelerate investments along the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) value chain in India, then to replicate the model in Mexico and worldwide. The ZEV-EMI partner companies announced (Dec 2023):
- Establishment of a national data-sharing platform for optimizing planning and catalyzing infrastructure investments in India.
- Task forces for a large e-freight pilot deployment in India.
- Launch of ZEV-EMI in Mexico.
- Release of the ZEV-EMI collaboration models & best practices collection
Since the launch of the ZEV-EMI initiative at COP27, more than 30 companies have expressed support for the initiative, including CEF members Amazon, Bloomberg, General Motors, and PepsiCo. (Dec 2023)
Nature-based Solutions to Prevent Pollution and Support Biodiversity (Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)) — This white paper explores how the automotive industry can implement nature-based solutions (NbS) to prevent pollution, with case studies illustrating how auto manufacturers and suppliers around the world are utilizing NbS to reduce pollution and offer co-benefits for biodiversity and communities. Case studies explore several ecosystems, including wetlands, forests, grasslands, as well as stormwater management and green architecture. Case studies feature CEF members Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and WM. (Aug 2023)
NEW CHARGING NETWORK JOINT VENTURE — Seven automakers, including CEF member GM, as well as BMW Group, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, and Stellantis NV will create a new charging network joint venture to expand access to high-powered EV charging in North America. The joint venture will develop a new, high-powered charging network powered by renewable energy with at least 30,000 chargers of both charger types (CCS and NACS). The venture is expected to be established this year, with first stations opening in the U.S. in the summer of 2024. (July 2023)
ZEROgrid Initiative — Several companies, including CEF members General Motors, Meta, and Salesforce, are joining RMI to launch the Zero-Emissions | Reliability Optimized Grid Initiative (ZEROgrid), a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate the transition to a zero-emissions grid. ZEROgrid will start by building a holistic framework defining targeted metrics for engagement and impact informed by reliability and emission experts. It then aims to maximize grid reliability and emissions reductions through enabling sustained, high-impact corporate action across clean energy procurement, policy, investment, R&D, and operations. (July 2023)
The California Air Resources Board, the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, and the U.S.’s leading truck manufacturers, formed a Clean Truck Partnership to advance the development of zero-emission commercial trucks. Ten companies, including CEF members Ford Motor Company and General Motors Company, committed to meet California’s vehicle standards requiring the sale and adoption of zero-emissions technology in the state, regardless of any attempts by other entities to challenge California’s authority. CARB agreed to align with the US EPA’s 2027 regulations for nitrogen oxide emissions and modify its 2024 NOx emission regulations to allow manufacturer offsets. CARB will also provide no less than four years lead time and three years of regulatory stability before imposing new requirements. (July 2023)
Will begin integrating the North American Charging Standard (Tesla’s connector design) in its electric vehicles starting in 2025. GM customers will also be able to access the 12,000 Tesla Superchargers beginning in early 2024 with use of an adapter. (June 2023)
Restoring Ecosystems Through Invasive Species Control (Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)) — This white paper details key methods corporations can use to control invasive species, a vital part of habitat restoration and conservation projects. These efforts also provide opportunities for corporations to involve and educate surrounding communities, especially as effective invasive species control extends beyond fence lines, requiring strong partnerships with local landowners, conservation organizations, and others. The report includes ten case studies from North America, Spain, and China and includes projects by CEF members Fidelity Investments, General Motors, and WM. (May 2023)
GM / SAMSUNG SDI — Announced plans to jointly invest over $3 billion to build and operate a new battery cell manufacturing plant in the United States. Targeted to begin operations in 2026, the plant will have over 30 GWh capacity and is expected to make nickel-rich prismatic and cylindrical cells. (May 2023)
The Corporate Role in Inclusive STEM Education Opportunities (Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)) — This white paper, sponsored by CEF member BASF, explores how companies can prepare the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals by developing inclusive learning opportunities based around conservation concepts and utilizing corporate conservation projects as sites of learning (such as forest and prairie habitats and pollinator gardens). The paper explores several case studies of initiatives led by ten companies, including CEF members General Motors and WM. (Feb 2023)
Community-First Environmental Action (Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)) — This white paper discusses how corporations across the world are interfacing with surrounding communities on issues related to sustainability, conservation and education. It explores opportunities for minimizing unavoidable impacts, rectifying impacts, repairing relationships and creating new approaches for working in and with host communities. It details key steps in community-first environmental action, including effective community engagement, knowledge exchange, and long-term connection, and provides case studies of several WHC-certified programs exemplifying these actions (including from CEF members Boeing, Dow, General Motors, and WM). (Jan 2023)
Virtual Power Plant Partnership (VP3) — This RMI initiative is working to catalyze industry and transform policy to support scaling virtual power plants (VPPs) in ways that help advance affordable, reliable electric sector decarbonization by overcoming barriers to VPP market growth. VPPs are grid-integrated aggregations of many distributed energy resources, such as EVs, solar PV arrays, battery energy storage systems, and smart thermostats, and can help support cost-effective energy production, emissions reductions, and a more resilient energy grid. VP3 will work to research and communicate VPP benefits, develop industry-wide best practices, standards, and roadmaps, and inform and shape policy development. VP3 founding members include CEF members: Ford, General Motors, and Google Nest (Google). (Jan 2023)
2022
Emissions First Partnership — Ten corporations have come together to offer new objectives and principles for consideration to update electricity greenhouse gas emissions accounting systems to accelerate grid decarbonization. Objectives include increasing clarity on emissions impact of electricity, improving data, and increasing stakeholder confidence that emissions reduction claims are accurate and effective. CEF members include: Amazon, General Motors, and Meta. (Dec 2022)
Corporate Coalition for Innovation & Technology toward Net Zero (CCITNZ) — Made up of six global companies, this cross-sector business alliance is partnering with governments, international organizations, and others in industry to help countries meet decarbonization and climate change goals. CCITNZ intends to serve as an accelerator for industries across sectors, with the objectives of promoting cost-effective technology solutions; supporting sound public policies; promoting partnerships; and providing expertise and thought leadership. CEF members involved include: GE, GM, and Honeywell. (Nov 2022)
Finalized energy sourcing agreements to secure 100% of the energy needed to power all its U.S. facilities by 2025 with renewables. This is five years ahead of GM’s 2030 target announced in 2021 and 25 years ahead of its initial target of 2050 set in 2016. (Oct 2022)
Announced the creation of a new business unit called GM Energy that will provide a variety of energy management products and services for home, commercial, and electric vehicle customers. The unit—made up of the existing “Ultium Charge 360” and the new “Ultium Home” and “Ultium Commercial”—could also help in the development of microgrids and a more resilient electricity system while expanding GM’s business beyond vehicles. (Oct 2022)
General Motors and Environmental Defense Fund announced a set of jointly developed recommendations that seek to strengthen car emissions standards. These recommendations were developed to support the next tier of US EPA standards, including having at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 be zero emissions, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% in model year 2030, as well as dramatically reducing nitrogen oxides and particulates. (Sept 2022)
HERTZ / GM — Announced an agreement in which Hertz will plan to order up to 175,000 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and BrightDrop electric vehicles (EVs) over the next five years. Hertz estimates that its customers could travel more than 8 billion miles in these EVs, avoiding approximately 3.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions compared to similar gas-powered vehicles. (Sept 2022)
Launched a new website, EV Live, through which anyone can schedule live, one-on-one tutorial/Q&A sessions with trained EV specialists to get information about the EV ownership experience. The automaker hopes the convenience and quality of the service will help potential EV owners overcome doubts or knowledge gaps about the technology and its potential effects on their lifestyle, home infrastructure, and finances. The service is also available to business owners interested in electrifying their fleets. (Aug 2021)
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GENERAL MOTORS / PILOT COMPANY — Will collaborate on an EV fast charging network of 2,000 total stations at Pilot and Flying J travel centers across the U.S. The charging stalls, to be branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium Charge 360”, will be powered by EVgo, the country's largest builder and operator of EV charging infrastructure. Upon completion, GM customers will receive special benefits like exclusive reservations, charging discounts, and integration with GM’s vehicle brand apps. The project complements a separate GM/EVgo collaboration to add more than 3,250 fast chargers in American cities and suburbs by the end of 2025. (July 2022)
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BUICK — A General Motors-owned company, Buick announced it would align with GM’s “vision of a zero-emissions, all-electric future” by bringing its first electric vehicle to the North American market in 2024, and fully electrifying its North American lineup by 2030. (June 2022)
Coalition for American Battery Independence (CABI) — A group of automobile manufacturers, EV battery companies, and lithium producers seeking stronger federal support to build a large US battery supply chain that can meet surging demand and compete globally. At present, China produces 77% of lithium-ion batteries, while the U.S. has just 7% of the industry. CABI, which is run via the lobbying firm Boundary Stone Partners and includes CEF members Ford and General Motors, wants Congress to pass targeted tax incentives to advance a viable domestic battery manufacturing ecosystem. (May 2022)
GM’s Ultium EV platform includes a patented energy recovery system that can capture waste heat from the vehicle’s battery, electronics, drive unit, and even its passengers. That energy is stored and can be deployed to heat the cabin or perform other functions, and the resulting reduction in energy drawn from the battery itself can increase the vehicles’ driving range up to 10 percent per charge. (May 2022)
Invited suppliers to sign a new Environmental, Social and Governance Partnership Pledge, designed to encourage an “Everyone In” supply chain approach toward the advancement of shared ESG goals. Described by sustainability ratings agency EcoVadis as a “best practice example of how to work with suppliers,” the pledge commits signatory companies to (May 2022):
- Achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon neutrality by industry-specific deadlines, the latest of which is 2038 for raw materials and logistics.
- By 2025, attain a score of at least 50 (“Good”) from EcoVadis in their Labor & Human Rights and Ethics evaluations
- By 2025, attain a score of at least 50 in EcoVadis’s Sustainable Procurement evaluation, ensuring that acceptable practices are in place with GM’s first tier of indirect suppliers as well.
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) / HONDA — Announced plans to co-develop a new series of electric vehicles expected to launch in 2027 and cost less than $30,000. Sharing their best technologies and manufacturing strategies will enable the lower cost to consumers, which in turn will allow for the mass adoption of EVs essential for both companies to hit their long-term carbon neutrality targets. "By working together,” said Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO, "we’ll put people all over the world into EVs faster than either company could achieve on its own.” (April 2022)
theSKIMM — Mission-driven media company theSkimm created a public-facing database featuring voluntarily-shared leave policies of more than 480 companies, in an effort to increase transparency and provide accessible information from a wide range of employers to help empower workers and improve policies. The database builds on theSkimm’s viral #ShowUsYourLeave initiative (launched in 2021) and presents market research as well as specific company benefits and policies. Among the companies that shared their policies are CEF members Bank of America, Boeing, Cisco, General Motors, and Morgan Stanley. (April 2022)
Trees at Work: Driving Conservation, Equity and Empowerment Through Urban and Community Forestry (Wildlife Habitat Council) — Provides case studies exploring how 10 global corporations, including CEF members General Motors and Waste Management, have “utilized community forestry work to provide biodiversity uplift, ecosystem services and resident empowerment” across a range of communities. (March 2022)
Chief executives and senior leaders from dozens of US companies—including CEF members General Motors and Siemens—met with congressional offices to urge them to “swiftly approve a reconciliation package with $550 billion in fiscally-sound investments” in clean power, transportation, industry, agriculture, and environmental justice, according to Ceres. (Feb 2022)
SPG GLOBAL’S “2022 SUSTAINABILITY YEARBOOK” — Over 700 companies made SPG Global’s 2022 Yearbook, an annual assessment to distinguish the top-performing companies in corporate sustainability. CEF members Cisco Systems, General Motors, Siemens, Unilever, and Waste Management earned the highest “Gold Class” status, achieving an S&P Global ESG Score within 1% of their industry's top-performing company's score. (Feb 2022)
Will invest $7 billion in four Michigan manufacturing sites to increase EV battery cell and electric truck manufacturing capacity—the single largest investment announcement in GM’s history. The investment includes $4 billion to convert its Orion Assembly plant to produce trucks using the Ultium platform and $2.6 billion to build a third Ultium Cells plant. GM now expects to have over 1 million units of EV capacity in North America by year-end 2025. (Jan 2022)
Breakthrough Energy’s Catalyst program launched an RFP to finance climate tech projects in the EU, Iceland, and Norway focused on four areas: direct air capture, long-duration energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and “green hydrogen” (hydrogen produced using renewable energy). It is the next phase of the EU-Catalyst partnership, which aims to mobilize up to $1 billion from 2022-2027 for technologies that deliver on the European Green Deal goals and the EU’s 2030 climate targets. Catalyst “anchor partners” include CEF members Bank of America, BlackRock, General Motors, and Microsoft. (Jan 2022)
2021
Algorithmic Bias Safeguards for Workforce (the Data & Trust Alliance) — A new set of criteria and educational resources to help companies in the alliance “mitigate data and algorithmic bias” in HR and workforce decisions, and evaluate vendors’ “commitment to algorithmic safety.” 13 companies in the alliance will adopt the Safeguards, including CEF members General Motors, Mastercard, and Meta. (Dec 2021)
GENERAL MOTORS / VACUUMSCHMELZE (VAC) — Signed a memorandum of understanding to build a US plant that manufactures permanent magnets for the electric motors in over 15 GM models, including over a dozen models using the Ultium platform. The new plant will use locally sourced raw materials, with production expected to start in 2024. (Dec 2021)
GENERAL MOTORS / MP MATERIALS — Are forming a strategic collaboration to develop a fully integrated US supply chain for rare earth magnets. MP Materials will source rare earth materials from Mountain Pass in California—the only active and scaled rare earth production site in the U.S.—and create magnets for the electric motors in over 15 GM models, including over a dozen models using the Ultium platform. (Dec 2021)
CDP “A LIST” — 272 out of nearly 12,000 companies scored by CDP made CDP’s 2021 “A List,” which includes a climate change A List (200 companies), a water security A List (118 companies), and a forests A List (24 companies). The lists recognize companies for their “environmental leadership,” all of which are reducing their value chain emissions and have verified Scope 1 and 2 emissions, SBTi-approved emission-reduction targets, evidence of targets that cover their Scope 3 emissions, “robust governance and oversight of climate issues,” and “rigorous risk management processes.” A record 14 companies received Triple A scores for their work across all three themes, including: Danone, Firmenich, Fuji Oil Holdings, CEF member HP, International Flavors & Fragrances, KAO Corporation, Klabin, Lenzing, L’Oréal, Metsä Board Corporation, Mondi, Philip Morris International, Syrmise, and CEF member Unilever. Additional CEF members on the A Lists include: Ecolab (water security), Ford (climate change, water security), General Motors (water security), HPE (water security), Microsoft (climate change, water security), PepsiCo (forests), Samsung (water security), Schneider Electric (climate change), Visa (climate change). (Dec 2021)
Breakthrough Energy’s Catalyst program (BEC) launched its first RFPs to finance climate tech projects focused on four areas: direct air capture, long-duration energy storage, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and “green hydrogen” (hydrogen produced using renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen). BEC aims to deploy $3 billion of funding over six years to projects in the U.S. and US territories, starting in 2022. Catalyst “anchor partners” include CEF members Bank of America, BlackRock, General Motors, and Microsoft. (Dec 2021)
GENERAL MOTORS / POSCO CHEMICAL — Will form a joint venture to build a factory in North America that processes cathode active material (CAM), with the aim of scaling EV battery material production for General Motors’ Ultium platform. The factory is expected to open in 2024. Two US-based Ultium cell plants are planned by mid-decade, in addition to the two currently being built. (Dec 2021)
GENERAL MOTORS — Joined the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), which offers third-party certification of industrial-scale mine sites, as part of its commitment to responsibly source the mined materials needed for EV production.
Acquired a 25% stake in startup Pure Watercraft and will partner with the company to develop and commercialize all-electric watercraft. The collaboration will leverage Pure Watercraft’s all-electric Pure Outboard technology and GM’s supply chain, manufacturing, and technological capabilities. (Nov 2021)
The Department of Energy (DOE) launched a
Better Climate Challenge for companies, municipalities, states, and other organizations to set ambitious, near-term emission-reduction goals.
Signatories will commit to reducing portfolio-wide Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by at least 50% within 10 years,
and the DOE will provide technical assistance and learning opportunities. CEF members
3M, Ford, General Motors, and
Schneider Electric are among the 32 founding signatories. (Nov 2021)
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35+ COMPANIES’ ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLE COMMITMENTS — Over 35 companies signed a new, “legally non-binding” declaration to accelerate the transition to zero-emissions vehicles, which includes various signatory commitments (Nov 2021):
- All signatories agreed to support world leaders’ commitment to have 100% of car and van sales be zero-emissions by 2035 in "leading markets" and globally by 2040
- Auto manufacturers—including CEF members Ford and General Motors—committed to reaching 100% zero-emission new car and van sales in “leading markets” by 2035
- Fleet owners and operators—including CEF members Siemens and Unilever—committed to doing the same by 2030
- Financial institutions and investors with significant shareholdings in automotive manufacturers committed to supporting the transition to achieve 100% new car and van sales being zero-emission in leading markets by 2035
Announced the Dealer Community Charging Program to accelerate the accessibility of EV charging in underserved, rural and urban communities by installing up to 40,000 Level 2 EV chargers—which will be accessible to all EV drivers—across the U.S. and Canada starting in 2022. The initiative is part of its existing commitment to invest $750 million to expand charging infrastructure through its Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem. (Nov 2021)
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The British government
is forming a strategic partnership with Breakthrough Energy’s
Catalyst program to drive
private-sector investment in UK climate tech projects
and
accelerate the U.K.'s net-zero transition. The
government
committed at least $276 million for projects in Catalyst’s areas of focus (green hydrogen, direct air capture, long-duration energy storage, and sustainable aviation fuel), which will be matched by
Catalyst’s investor and business partners over 10 years.
Catalyst “anchor partners” include CEF members Bank of America, BlackRock, General Motors,
and Microsoft.
(Oct 2021)
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The Department of Energy (DOE) released a
progress update on its
Better Plants program,
which aims to decarbonize the industrial sector. Over 250
manufacturers and water utilities
have participated in the program and
cumulatively saved $9.3 billion in energy costs and over 1.9 quadrillion BTUs of energy—more energy than Wisconsin uses annually. Program partners include CEF members
3M, Dow, Ford, General Electric, General Motors, International Paper, Johnson & Johnson, Lockheed Martin, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble,
and Schneider Electric.
(Oct 2021)
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NUCOR —
Will launch a
new line of
Econiq™ net-zero steel, which utilizes
100% renewable energy
as well as carbon offsets for any remaining Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Econiq™ will be available
across all Nucor steelmaking products, and
General Motors
will be the first customer, starting in Q1 2022. (Oct 2021)
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Plans to build a
Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center in Michigan to
expand its EV battery production and operations, make batteries
more affordable, and
accelerate new technologies such as lithium-metal, silicon, and solid-state batteries. The facility will be completed mid-2022, with its first prototype cells slated for Q4 2022. (Oct 2021)
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Committed to investing nearly $750 million in EV charging networks through 2025,
including
home, workplace, and public charging in the U.S. and Canada.
(Oct 2021)
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Amazon,
General Motors,
IKEA,
Logitech, Netflix,
Salesforce,
and Walmart
publicly voiced
support for the climate provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the House reconciliation package—which includes the
Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP). (Oct 2021)
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Will
partner with power-grid operator
PJM Interconnection and energy company
TimberRock to
launch a new system that
tracks General Motors’ carbon emissions from electricity,
allowing the company “to monitor and reduce emissions in real time.”
(Oct 2021)
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Committed to
running its US sites on 100% renewable energy by 2025.
(Oct 2021)
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A group of 7 private companies collectively committed
over $1 billion as the new “anchor partners” for Breakthrough Energy’s
Catalyst program (introduced in July), a
public-private sector partnership
to accelerate the commercial viability of climate technologies, with an initial
focus on 4 areas: green hydrogen, direct air capture, long-duration energy storage, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The companies—including CEF members
Bank of America, BlackRock, General Motors,
and Microsoft,
as well as
American Airlines, ArcelorMittal SA, and
Boston Consulting Group—launched a
Request for Information and, as “anchor partners,” will invest in early-commercial demonstration projects and provide insights on investment and offtake strategies. (Sept 2021)
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Shareholder advocacy group
As You Sow
released an updated “Racial Justice Scorecard” for the S&P 500, using 26 key performance indicators on racial justice, including four new indicators on “environmental racism.” CEF members
Alphabet, General Motors, HPE,
and
Microsoft
are among the list’s
top 10 best-performing companies. The NGO plans to
initiate conversations with poor scorers and file shareholder proposals at those companies’ annual meetings in 2022. (Aug 2021)
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Nearly 100 leaders of companies, associations, and organizations—including CEF members
Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Amazon, Alphabet, General Motors, Mastercard, HP Inc., Cisco,
and
TPG Capital—sent a letter urging Congress to pass legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for the “Dreamers”—who would benefit from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The leaders were organized by the
Coalition for the American Dream. (Aug 2021)
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TPG —
Announced a
first close of $5.4 billion for the TPG Rise Climate Fund, the largest climate-focused fund in the world. Over
20 global companies—including CEF members
3M, ADM,
Alphabet, Apple,
Bank of America, Boeing, Dow, GE, General Motors, Honeywell,
and
TD Bank Group—participated in the close and will form a
Rise Climate Coalition. The fund will take a broad sector approach, focusing on growth equity to value-added infrastructure to
driving solutions for 5 climate sub-sectors. (Aug 2021)
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Announced it will launch its Ultium Charge 360 fleet-charging service to connect fleet customers with services, tools, and resources to make a smooth switch to electric vehicles.
It will also support home charging and provide drivers with access to over 60,000 public charging locations.
Duke Energy company
eTransEnergy, EVgo, In-Charge Energy,
and
Schneider Electric are preferred infrastructure providers. (July 2021)
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75 companies—including
3M, Apple, General Motors, Google, HP Inc., and Unilever—urged lawmakers to support a clean energy standard and require power companies supply zero-carbon electricity. Organized by
Ceres, the Environmental Defense Fund, and others, they wrote in an open letter, "A federal clean electricity standard should achieve 80 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030 on the pathway to 100% clean power by 2035." (July 2021)
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The
Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, an association of global automakers and auto suppliers including
Ford, General Motors, and
Waste Management, published a
new
guidance document to help companies in the automotive value chain establish a framework for carbon reporting. It breaks down 5 KPIs it supports for the industry regarding standard reporting cycles; carbon reduction plans; long-term target setting; consistent supplier education and expectations; and supplier recognition processes. (July 2021)
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Will
invest and help develop
Controlled Thermal Resources’ Hell’s Kitchen lithium project near California’s Salton Sea to secure low-cost, local lithium. The project’s closed-loop, direct extraction process results in a smaller physical footprint, no production tailing, and lower CO2 emissions than traditional pit mining or evaporation ponds. (July 2021)
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RE100 — The RE100 companies, which are committed to 100% renewable electricity, now have an electricity demand greater than that of the U.K. or Italy and are on track to save CO2 emissions equal to burning over 118 million tons of coal per year. RE100 members include
CEF Members:
3M, Apple, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Dell Technologies, Ecolab, Facebook, General Motors, Google, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mastercard, McKinsey & Co., Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Siemens AG, TD Bank Group, Trane Technologies, Unilever,
and Visa.
(July 2021)
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Announced the creation of a new $25 million Climate Equity Fund to help close equity gaps in sustainable technology and the transition to EVs,
complementing the company’s $35 billion global investment in EV and AV programs, research, manufacturing, technology, and charging infrastructure. Its equitable climate-action framework will be guided by 5 principles. (July 2021)
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Will collaborate with a
Shell-owned power company to
offer Texas customers renewable electricity and offer free overnight charging to residents with GM EVs.
(June 2021)
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Will supply electric batteries and hydrogen fuel cell systems for locomotives developed by Wabtec Corp.
(June 2021)
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Will increase its cumulative investment in electric and autonomous vehicles from $27 billion to $35 billion from 2020-2025 and build 2 new U.S. battery cell factories
in addition to two under construction. (June 2021)
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Second Chance Business Coalition — A cross-sector coalition of 29 large US employers committed to expanding second chance hiring and advancement practices for people with criminal records. Co-chaired by JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Eaton CEO Craig Arnold, members include Bank of America, Cisco, GM, JPMorgan & Chase, Mastercard, McDonald’s, Microsoft, P&G, PepsiCo, and Visa. (May 2021)
Announced new enterprise goals, including achieving carbon neutrality in global products and operations by 2040. Additional goals (May 2021):
- Reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 72% by 2035 (2018 baseline)
- Reducing Scope 3 GHG emissions from the use of sold products of light-duty vehicles 51% per vehicle kilometer by 2035 (2018 baseline)
- Sourcing 100% renewable electricity globally by 2035 and 100% in the U.S. by 2030
- Reducing operational energy intensity by 35% by 2035 (2010 baseline)
- Reducing operational water intensity by 35% by 2035 (2010 baseline)
- Achieving >90% waste diversion from landfills and incineration globally by 2025
- Making packaging 100% returnable or made from majority sustainable content and zero waste by 2030
- Enrolling 100% of its "targeted Tier 1 suppliers" in GM’s Supplier Sustainability Program
Hundreds of executives, nonprofits, and companies—including Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, BlackRock, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Facebook, Ford, General Motors, Google, JetBlue, Johnson & Johnson, Mastercard, and McKinsey & Co.—signed a public statement opposing “any discriminatory legislation.” The statement, titled “We Stand for Democracy,” was featured in advertisements in the New York Times and The Washington Post. (April 2021)
Ethisphere released its 2021 list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. CEF members recognized include (March 2021):
- 3M
- ADM
- Aptiv
- CBRE
- Dell Technologies
- Ecolab
- General Motors
- HanesBrands
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Honeywell
- HP
- International Paper
- Kaiser Permanente
- Kimberly-Clark
- Mastercard
- Microsoft
- PepsiCo
- VF Corporation
- Visa
- Waste Management
The Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance updated its “Deal Tracker,” highlighting the largest corporate renewable energy purchasers in 2020. The top 10 included the following (February 2021):
- Amazon (3.163 GW)
- Google (1.040 GW)
- Verizon (.840 GW)
- McDonald’s (.750 GW)
- Facebook (.725 GW)
- General Motors (.610 GW)
- Nucor (.325 GW)
- Evraz North America (.300 GW)
- Lowe’s (.250 GW)
- Nestlé (.250 GW)
General Motors pledged to become carbon neutral by 2040 in its global products and operations and will work to phase out vehicles using auto-combustion engines by 2035. GM will invest $27 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles over the next five years and plans to offer 30 all-electric models globally by 2035. The company also aims to source 100% renewable energy for its U.S. sites by 2030 and globally by 2035. (January 2021)
The Renewable Energy Buyers Association (REBA) issued a statement signed by 36 companies — including Amazon, Clorox, Facebook, GM, Google, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald’s, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Unilever — proposing federal policy priorities to help accelerate the adoption of a customer-centric clean energy transition. Priorities include: 1) expanding and enhancing wholesale energy markets; 2) harmonizing clean-energy procurement and standards; 3) supporting the innovation and commercialization of energy R&D. (January 2021)
Microsoft is partnering with GM and its self-driving electric vehicle subsidiary Cruise to accelerate the commercialization of self-driving cars. GM and Cruise will use Microsoft’s cloud services, while Microsoft will join GM, Honda, and other investors in a combined new equity investment of $2 billion in Cruise. (January 2021)
GM announced a new ecosystem of electric first-to-last-mile products, software, and services for delivery and logistic companies called BrightDrop. Initial products include EP1, an electric pallet that can move goods over short distances, and EV600, an electric light commercial vehicle. (January 2021)
2020
General Motors announced plans to launch 30 electric vehicles (EVs) around the world by 2025. The company also increased its financial commitment to EVs and autonomous vehicles to $27 billion through 2025—up from its initial $20 billion commitment. (November 2020)
General Motors announced plans to hire 3,000 new tech employees to work on autonomous and electric vehicle initiatives. (November 2020)
General Motors will invest $2 billion to transform its Spring Hill, Tennessee manufacturing plant into an electric vehicle production facility. The company has committed to invest more than $4.5 billion to prepare three of its U.S. manufacturing sites for electric vehicle production. (October 2020)
General Motors received a $2 billion equity stake in electric vehicle company Nikola Corporation in exchange for “in-kind services and access to General Motors’ global safety-tested and validated parts and components.” As part of the deal,
General Motors will engineer and build Nikola's battery electric and fuel cell electric variants of the “Badger” pickup truck, which is expected to be in production by the end of 2022. (September 2020)
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GM will collaborate with EVgo to add more than 2,700 fast EV charging stations to cities and suburbs across the United States over the next five years. The new charging stations will “triple the size of the nation’s largest public fast charging network.” (August 2020)
GM's CEO Mary Barra joined others on the Board of Directors of the Business Roundtable to create a special committee to advance racial equity and justice solutions. (June 2020)
General Motors signed a green tariff agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority for 100 megawatts of solar energy to fully power GM’s manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, starting in late 2022. (May 2020)
General Motors reached an agreement with Honda to jointly develop two all-new electric vehiclespowered by its proprietary Ultium batteries under the Honda brand. (April 2020)
General Motors partnered with Ventec Life Systems to produce critical care ventilatorscapable of supporting patients fighting COVID-19. The company will also temporarily convert its Warren, Michigan plant to manufacture FDA-cleared Level 1 surgical masks. (March 2020)
General Motors announced plans to triple the number of electric vehicle charging stations available to employees at its U.S. and Canadian facilities beginning in late 2020. (March 2020)
Included on Ethisphere 2020 list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. (March 2020)
Included on CDP “A List” for demonstrating leadership on water security in 2019. (Feb 2020)
General Motors will invest $2.2 billion to devote 100% of the manufacturing capacity at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to electric vehicle production. This is the company’s first assembly plant devoted entirely to electric vehicle production. (Feb 2020)
General Motors announced plans to reintroduce the Hummer as an all-electric vehicle within the GMC brand in 2022. (Feb 2020)
2019
A group of companies — including Ford, General Motors, and IBM — are now funding the Climate Leadership Council’s efforts to put a price on carbon in the United States, according to Axios. The Climate Leadership Council’s latest proposal calls for a U.S. economy-wide carbon fee starting at $40 a ton and increasing every year at 5% with all proceeds returned to American consumers. (Dec 2019)
General Motors launched a joint venture with LG Chem to build a $2.3 billion battery cell assembly plant aimed at developing advanced, lower cost batteries for future battery-electric vehicles. The plant is expected to create more than 1,100 new jobs in Northeast Ohio. (Dec 2019)
“The Conservation Connection” (Wildlife Habitat Council) demonstrates how nature-based action on corporate land supports the Sustainable Development Goals. The report features case studies from ArcelorMittal, CEMEX, General Motors, and more. (Sep 2019)
General Motors is a winner of the 2019 ENERGY STAR Awards, which recognize organizations for developing energy efficient products and services that help customers save money and energy. (April 2019)
A group of companies, cities, and institutions issued the Renewable Thermal Buyers’ Statement, which calls for “market-ready, sustainable, renewable thermal solutions to meet their economic, greenhouse gas emission reduction and renewable energy goals.” (March 2019)
General Motors announced plans to collaborate with electric vehicle charging networks EVgo, ChargePoint, and Greenlots to make it easier for its customers to access more than 31,000 charging ports across the United States. (January 2019)