2Sustain

Yesterday, GE released its fifth annual Citizenship Report, titled “Resetting Responsibilities.” This new report reviews GE’s global operations for 2008, grouping key CSR initiatives into four themes: energy and climate change, demographics, growth markets and financial markets. It also includes an in-depth discussion about the relationship between business and society during the global recession and how GE integrates corporate responsibility into its overall business strategy.

With regard to energy and climate change, GE’s progress in 2008 includes:

• a 13% reduction in GHG emissions, compared to 2004 levels.
• a reduction in GHG and Energy Intensity by 41% and 37%, respectively, compared to 2004 levels.
• a series of “second-round energy treasure hunts” at key sites within GE’s portfolio to identify GHG reductions.
• recognition of  46 sites during 2007 under the eCO2 program, which rewards teams that have achieved a 5% absolute GHG reduction, compared to the 2004 baseline.

Explicit details about each of these achievements are available in the Performance Metrics section of the report.

Moving forward, GE plans to:

• Continue to expand ecomagination products and services.
• Continue to increase R&D spending for ecomagination.
• Continue to reduce GHG emissions and improve Energy Intensity.
• Reduce water use.
• Provide information on how GE is engaged with government stimulus programs as they relate to renewable energy.
• Continue to focus on regulatory change.
• Continue commitment to energy policy change.

.
I particularly enjoyed reading the portion of the report dedicated to a discussion of GE’s commitment to “resetting responsibilities” in the wake of the recent global financial crisis. The company believes that businesses, governments and civil society all have a part to play in restoring confidence and economic progress. Accordingly, GE says the reset economy depends on four fundamental factors: effective government, accelerated innovation, mobilized talent, and sustainable investment. This part of the report includes a handful of inspiring “expert perspectives,” comments from global thought leaders who are working to better define the relationship between business and society during the global recession.

“Governments, business and society must all play a role in renewing our economies, solving societal problems and creating jobs,” says Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE. “GE’s focus on integrity, our experience and our efforts on advancing the social needs of health, infrastructure, energy, finance and education position us as a natural partner in a sustainable economic recovery.”

The 48-page report and related performance data is available at http://www.reportalert.info/ra/profiles/GE/2009/?ID=27009.