|
January 31, 2002
Report Criticizes GM's Poor Fuel Efficiency, Applauds Its Other Environmental Efforts
by William Baue
CERES reported on GM's environmental record, praising the majority of the carmaker's initiatives
but condemning its failure to improve overall fuel efficiency in its fleet.
SocialFunds.com --
When future generations consider causes for the global environmental crisis of the late 20th and
early 21st centuries, they will likely finger the sports utility vehicle (SUV) as a primary
culprit. Our ancestors will be hard-pressed to explain the popularity of these fuel-inefficient
vehicles, especially amongst urban yuppies who seemingly had little reason for SUVs' off-road
capabilities. However, such questions may not have to wait for the future
 Yesterday, the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies released the
CERES Performance Review of General Motors Corporation. The report praised General Motors (ticker: GM) for
meeting or exceeding CERES's expectations for reducing factory emissions, reporting transparently
on environmental performance, and engaging external stakeholders in environmental initiatives.
However, the report strongly criticized GM's failure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in its
overall fleet of vehicles.
"GM has shown, historically, its commitment to the
environment," said Elizabeth Lowery, GM vice president for environment and energy. "We've improved
our fuel efficiency model by model while still responding to market demands for larger utility
vehicles."
The report covered the period between 1994 and 1999. In the former year, GM
set precedent by becoming the first Fortune 50 manufacturing company to endorse the CERES
Principles, a ten-point code of corporate environmental conduct. During this time period, U.S.
production of fuel-efficient cars decreased while production of gas-guzzling trucks, such as SUVs,
increased. GM production mirrored this trend, such that fuel efficiency gains in cars were offset
by the larger proportion of trucks in its fleet.
GM counterbalanced the negativity of
its lack of progress in boosting fuel efficiency by distinguishing itself in most of the other
categories the report assessed. The report noted that GM matches or leads other auto producers in
fuel economy for comparable models. It also lauded GM for reducing emissions at plants, increasing
the recycled content in its vehicles, and increasing the recyclability of its vehicles.
In the public accountability category, GM has published eight annual environmental reports,
extending their range to address environmental performance throughout the company's supply chain.
As for external stakeholder engagement, GM vocally supported the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI),
which promotes sustainability reporting.
The report looked toward the future, similarly
praising GM's research into fuel cell technology.
"Our AUTOnomy fuel cell concept
vehicle provides a vision of the potential of the coming hydrogen economy in a way that respects
the environment and creates the path to non-petroleum and renewable energy sources without
constraining economic growth," said Ms. Lowery. "It is just a matter of time before we're able to
bring those products to market while continuing to satisfy our customers."
However,
members of CERES, which represents over $300 billion in invested capital, echoed voices in the
national debate over the proper balance between present and future solutions to the automobile
emissions dilemma. Fuel cell research clearly needs to continue, but not at the cost of improving
current fuel efficiency.
"The development of technology that is both cutting edge and
has great potential for the environment is a welcome sign to our investors," said CERES board
member Ariane Van Buren, of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, a New York
City-based coalition of investors. "But there is significant risk in continuing to contribute to
long-term issues like pollution, oil dependence, and climate change. We want to see GM apply the
same 'can-do' spirit to increasing the fuel economy of the many cars they're putting on the road
now."
©
SRI World Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Top
| 
