In an effort to build upon their 2021 Equitable Climate Action initiative, GM has recently joined the National Wildlife Federation as a founding member of the new Climate Equity Collaborative. This is an “initiative focused on addressing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and youth,” that aims to “engage communities, youth and nonprofits in designing and implementing equitable and inclusive climate solutions.”
“Too often, the people and communities most vulnerable to climate change are left out of conversations that impact their lives,” said Kristen Siemen, GM’s vice president of Sustainable Workplaces and chief sustainability officer. “We’re proud to be a founding member of the Climate Equity Collaborative, and we invite other companies to join us in this movement to take stronger, more inclusive action on climate change.”
Some priorities of the collaboration include, “elevating environmental justice and education within the broader climate conversation,” as well as recognizing climate equity and addressing communities hit hardest by climate change, supporting youth action, and driving investment to nonprofits who are advancing education about climate equity and environmental justice.
“The climate crisis is hitting Black and frontline communities first and worst. The Climate Equity Collaborative and this partnership will help us ensure that efforts to address the changing climate and generational environment injustices reflect the perspectives and needs of impacted communities,” said Mustafa Santiago Ali, executive vice president of conservation and justice at the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re eager to build off the work to date of the Climate Equity Collaborative and inspire all communities to join us in this important work.”
GM is using this collaboration “to ensure that its transition to an all-electric future is inclusive of employees, customers and the communities most impacted by climate change.” In 2021, GM launched its Equitable Climate Action initiative and created its now $50 million Climate Equity Fund to provide philanthropic support to nonprofit organizations closing equity gaps related to climate change.
