Environment & Energy

GM and the GM Foundation take seriously the stewardship and responsible, sustainable management of the environment, beginning with the use of our own undeveloped property. Through its support of such organizations as the Wildlife Habitat Council, the World Environment Center and EarthForce GREEN, GM and the GM Foundation also invest in education that promotes environmental sustainability, conservation and protection as good citizenship.

Wildlife Habitat Council

GM is a member of the Wildlife Habitat Council, which recognizes outstanding habitat management and environmental education efforts at corporate sites. GM has designated more than 870 acres in North America as habitat enhancement and restoration projects to provide food, water and habitats for wildlife. As of June 2011, 15 GM facilities have achieved Wildlife Habitat Council certification.

Bird on a Tree

GM volunteers teach students about water quality.


World Environment Center

GM is a member of the World Environment Center (WEC) and serves on its board of directors. Working with the private sector, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and academia, the WEC advances sustainable development by encouraging environmental leadership, helping improve health and safety practices worldwide, and fostering the efficient use of natural resources to protect the global environment.

Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN)

In North America, GM partners with the environmental education nonprofit group, Earth Force Inc., to implement GREEN. In this program, mentors from GM facilities join with community partner organizations and neighborhood schools to teach students hands-on lessons about measuring water quality. They use the information gathered to learn ways to effect positive change in their local watersheds.

Each year, hundreds of GM employees volunteer to work with teachers and students at river sampling events, classroom visits and student summits. Since GREEN's inception in 1999, over 100,000 young people in more than 50 GM communities have had an opportunity to participate in GREEN.

In 2010, 184 GM employees from 39 facilities partnered with community organizations assisting educators to reach approximately 8,700 students from 364 classrooms. Through this program, young people are developing lifelong habits of active citizenship and environmental stewardship.

In conjunction with the GM GREEN program, 20 educators nationwide were among the first to be honored with an award established by Earth Force, Inc. and the GM Foundation to recognize exceptional educators who integrate environmental education into their classrooms. The Chevrolet GREEN Educator Award honors educators of all kinds, including K-12 teachers, higher-education faculty and community-based program instructors. The winners are featured on the Earth Force website and at www.greeneducator.org, where their teaching tools and ideas for engaging students are showcased as best practices for other educators.