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CONTACT:
Erin Bzymek, erinb@bluegreenalliance.org, 202-706-6916

Company joins diverse corporate coalition aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental solutions that put Americans back to work in good jobs 

DETROIT, MI (July 25, 2013) General Motors (GM) today reaffirmed its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability by joining the Corporate Advisory Council of the BlueGreen Alliance, a diverse coalition of business leaders, environmental organizations and labor unions committed to working together to advance policies that will help create a cleaner and more competitive American economy.

“The significant gains in sustainability are made as our company produces fuel-efficient vehicles that people want to drive. GM is committed to bringing these vehicles to the market and to doing so in the cleanest, most efficient way possible, because simply put, it is good for our company and our bottom line,” said Mike Robinson, vice president, sustainability and global regulatory affairs at General Motors. “We are pleased to join the BlueGreen Alliance Corporate Advisory Council — and to team up with the United Auto Workers — to strengthen our economy and create good jobs through solutions that reduce our impact on the environment.”

The company’s overall sustainability strategy creates value for customers through new technologies and lower operating costs and improves the bottom line through revenue generation, cost savings and risk mitigation.

The company’s new sustainability report states a commitment to addressing climate change, to the number of fuel -efficient vehicles on the road, and to reducing the company’s environmental footprint. The company reported reducing energy use 7 percent and carbon emissions 5 percent since 2010; increased landfill-free facilities to 105 and reduced total waste 8 percent since 2010; and announced a commitment to reduce average U.S. fleet CO₂ emissions 15 percent by 2016.

Great companies use their strength to lead, set an example and solve issues. Earlier this year, GM’s chairman, Dan Akerson, called on the Obama administration to develop a cohesive, consumer-driven national energy policy. GM also was the first automaker and industrial manufacturer to sign the Climate Declaration, a statement from Ceres and its Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy coalition. Learn more about GM’s commitment to sustainability.

General Motors and the United Auto Workers — the latter of which represents approximately 51,000 GM employees in the U.S. — enjoy a strong relationship. The United Auto Workers have brought that relationship to the BlueGreen Alliance, where the company and union worked together in 2011 and 2012 in support of the new standards requiring all light-duty vehicles to reach 54.5 mpg by 2025. General Motors has also been a repeat sponsor and speaker at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference, the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation’s annual conference discussing how to build a cleaner, more efficient American economy.

“General Motors has time and again come through on its commitment to quality and building more fuel-efficient cars. It is a key component of the resurgence of the American auto industry and in creating and maintaining quality jobs,” said Bob King, president of the United Auto Workers. “The BlueGreen Alliance Corporate Advisory Council brings together leaders in business, labor and the environment to find solutions that create quality jobs for people across the country, and we are excited to have GM as part of this effort.”

The BlueGreen Alliance’s Corporate Advisory Council was formed in 2009. It brings companies — ranging in size from some of America’s biggest and most established corporations to small, family-owned businesses and startups — together with some of America’s largest labor unions and environmental organizations to work on joint projects that advance job creation and environmental performance.

“The auto industry has demonstrated that measures to address our biggest environmental challenges — like raising our fuel efficiency standards — lead to innovation, economic growth, and job creation,” said David Foster, executive director of the BlueGreen Alliance. “We couldn’t be happier to have General Motors at the table working with us to figure out the best ways to simultaneously improve sustainability and create good jobs.”

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About General Motors:

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.

About the BlueGreen Alliance:

The BlueGreen Alliance is a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the clean economy. Launched in 2006, the strategic partnership now brings together major U.S. labor unions and America’s most influential environmental organizations and unites nearly 15 million members and supporters in pursuit of good jobs, a healthy environment and a clean economy. Visit www.bluegreenalliance.org.

About the United Auto Workers:

The United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), which represents more than 390,000 members, is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with UAW-represented workplaces range from multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private non-profit organizations. The UAW unites more than 50,000 U.S. employees at General Motors.