General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter - October 2013
General Motors Corporate Responsibility Newsletter
October 2013
HEADLINE:
GM’s LEED Gold Data Center Drives IT Efficiency
A flywheel for battery-free backup power and in-row cooling that reduces the need for electricity contribute to a 70 percent reduction in energy use at General Motors’ world-class Enterprise Data Center, which has earned Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, program.
RESOURCE PRESERVATION
GM Honored for Sustained Environmental Leadership
General Motors and seven of its facilities were recognized by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for longtime support of environment-focused community collaboration. GM remains the leader for most Neighborhood Environmental Partner awards granted since the program began in 2005.
GM STEM Program Begins Another School Year
For the past 24 years, GM’s Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN) program has paired GM mentors with 8,500 students annually to educate youth on local watersheds. Mary Alice Kurtz, GM’s program manager of sustainability initiatives, explains how collaboration has helped GREEN make a greater impact in communities across the U.S.
GM Donates Chevrolet Volt to Colorado Conservation Trust
General Motors donated a Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended range to the nonprofit Colorado Conservation Trust for the group to auction off in support of its “Q for Conservation” event, which has generated more than $1.5 million for conservation projects statewide in its seven-year history.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
GM Named a Leader in Climate Change Transparency
General Motors achieved a leadership position for its climate change data submitted to CDP, the world’s only global environmental disclosure system. GM earned a score of 100/A-, ranking among the top 10 percent of companies reporting in the CDP Global 500 Climate Change Report 2013.
Getting Our Head In The Sustainability Game
In this guest post, GM Director of Sustainability David Tulauskas provides a recap and commentary of this year’s Green Sports Alliance Summit. He highlights similarities between GM’s efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its facilities and pro sports teams’ efforts to reduce the environmental impact of stadiums.
EDF Climate Fellow Jon Beck Spends Summer Vacation Saving GM $1M
Jon Beck, a Portland native and Columbia University grad student, spent the last few months identifying ways GM could save money through energy efficiency. The internship match-up is a result of GM’s participation in the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps program. Jon reflects on his experience in this interview.
GREENER VEHICLES
General Motors Increases Battery Development Expertise
General Motors has nearly tripled the size of its Global Battery Systems Laboratory, cementing the lab’s stature as the largest battery lab in North America owned and operated by a major auto manufacturer.
Spark EV Driving 101
For many Chevrolet Spark EV owners, getting plugged-in to an all-electric, no-gas-required lifestyle will be a new experience. Here are a few tips to ease the transition.
WASTE REDUCTION
GM Finds a New Home for Ducks, Bats and Waste
Vice President of Sustainability and Global Regulatory Affairs Mike Robinson shares how GM is able to reduce waste while benefiting wildlife by reusing scrap Chevy Volt battery covers to make nesting boxes for owls, wood ducks and bats in this guest post on the Wildlife Habitat Council blog.
SAFETY
Chevrolet Offers the Most Models with 5-Star Overall Scores
Among 2014 model year vehicles, Chevrolet offers seven with 5-Star Overall Vehicle Scores for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – more than any other brand and more than Ford and Toyota combined.
Working to Keep Children Safe
To commemorate Child Passenger Safety Week, Julie Kleinert, child safety technical lead at General Motors, shares insight on technologies found in GM vehicles that are designed with child safety in mind. She also discusses other initiatives to raise awareness and improve child passenger safety such as the Buckle Up program, the product of a long-standing partnership between Safe Kids Worldwide, GM and the GM Foundation.
PHILANTHROPY
Giving Back: Second ‘teamGM Cares Week’ Shows Commitment to Volunteerism
Communities and nonprofits across the country received a helping hand from General Motors’ employee volunteers last month as part of the company’s second annual “teamGM Cares Week.” From packing food and building homes to cleaning up beaches and neighborhoods, approximately 75 projects were undertaken.
GM Foundation Donates $100,000 to New York’s Central Park Conservancy
The GM Foundation is donating $100,000 to aid the Central Park Conservancy’s “Keeping it Green” service learning program to introduce pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students to the importance of preserving and caring for New York City’s Central Park.
