The Obama Administration says 13 of the nation's largest companies are taking the "American Business Act on Climate Pledge," including General Motors.
Other companies pledging to significantly reduce their carbon emissions are Alcoa, Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cargill, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, PepsiCo, UPS, and Walmart.
The Obama Administration says climate change is a global challenge - requiring a corporate response as well as a government response.
The pledge is meant to set an example for other companies - as the U.S. prepares for the Paris Climate Change talks in December.
GM's taking the pledge is intended as a show of support, says a spokeswoman, since the automaker previously promised to do the following in response to the threat of climate change:
- Reduce energy intensity from facilities 20 percent by 2020 over a 2010 baseline.
- Promote use of 125 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020 over a 2010 baseline.
- Reduce carbon intensity from facilities 20 percent by 2020 over a 2010 baseline.
- Reduce water intensity 15 percent by 2020 over a 2010 baseline.
- Reduce total waste 40 percent by 2020 over a 2010 baseline.
- Achieve 150 landfill-free facilities by 2020 and set an aspirational goal to have all manufacturing sites send zero waste to landfill.
- Maximize vehicle efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions around the globe while meeting a variety of customer needs.
- Help make electrified vehicles become more mainstream.
- Collaborate with others and proactively look for sustainability opportunities that collectively drive economic, environmental and social improvements
