Environment, Health & Safety

In the context of citizenship, the term “environment” has two important connotations. It refers to both our communities and the organization’s workplace, within which the health and safety of employees must be ensured. At GE, a dedicated team is responsible for applying world-class expectations, operational tools and training that ranges from greenhouse gas emissions and water use to workplace illness and injury.

GE’s focus on environment, health and safety (EHS) extends beyond the Company’s walls, as it works with suppliers to provide a safe and healthy workplace for its own employees and reduce the environmental impact on local communities.

A Review of Our 2010 Commitments (Environment)

• Ensure EHS compliance and meet GE EHS expectations in emerging markets
• Continue long-term GHG, energy and water-use reduction trend
• Further define expectations for EHS professional expertise and leadership
• Continue to focus on regulatory changes
• Work with the EPA to use Phase I experience to improve Phase II of the Hudson River dredging project

2010 Performance Highlights (Environment)

• Developed expectations for expertise and leadership for GE’s EHS community, particularly in emerging markets
• 30 industrial wastewater exceedances; very low for a company of GE’s size and scale
• Spills and releases down 58%, and only two spills to water bodies
• Worked with EPA to modify project standards and design to allow more efficient implementation of Phase 2 of the dredging project. As a result, GE agreed to implement the remainder of the Hudson River Dredging Project

2011 Moving Forward (Environment)

• Continue long-term GHG, energy and water use reduction trend by engaging business leaders in activities to reduce GE’s footprint
• Reduce wastewater and air exceedances by implementing focused programs and enhancing the technical knowledge of GE’s EHS professionals
• Continue to focus on EHS professional development in growth regions, support established professional development programs, and host a cross-business EHS summit in the U.S.
• Work with the EPA to use Phase I experience to improve Phase II of the Hudson River dredging project

GE 2011 Global EHS Program Goals

The GE 2011 Global EHS (Environment) Program Goals include the following:

• 0 fines
• 0 notices of noncompliance
• 25 percent reductions in wastewater exceedances and spills
• 0 air exceedances