GM asks suppliers to sign pledge advancing global climate action, human rights

General Motors has announced a new pledge that invites global suppliers to join the company in a commitment to carbon neutrality, the development of social responsibility programs, and implementation of sustainable procurement practices in their supply chain operations.

The Environmental, Social and Governance Partnership Pledge calls for social and governance commitments, such as human rights protections and fair operating practices. By signing the pledge suppliers commit to:

• Achieving carbon neutrality for their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by dates based on their respective industry—2035 or earlier for manufacturing.
• By 2025 achieving a minimum score of 50 in the EcoVadis Labor & Human Rights and Ethics pillars, which demonstrates a mature sustainability management system that covers employee health and safety, social dialogue, diversity/nondiscrimination, and child and forced labor and avoids corruption and anticompetitive practices.
• By 2025 achieving a minimum score of 50 in the EcoVadis Sustainable Procurement pillar, which covers how GM’s suppliers understand and govern the social and environmental practices of their own suppliers and use their purchasing influence to advance sustainability.

Suppliers representing more than 53% of GM’s $76 billion direct material annual purchase value in 2021 have already signed on.