GE Appliances. (GEA), a Haier company, joined the United Nations (UN) Global Compact—the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative—further advancing GEA’s commitment to building appliances with people and the planet in mind. Delivered on Earth Day to the UN Secretary General, GEA President & CEO Kevin Nolan signed a letter formalizing the company’s pledge to the UN Global Compact and its 10 core principles that encompass the categories of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption.
“As a purpose-driven organization committed to making a difference in the world through our people, products and the places where we operate, joining the UN Global Compact is another important step we’re taking on our journey to be and be recognized as the leading appliance company in the U.S.,” President & CEO Kevin Nolan said.
“While our corporate citizenship goals and progress already support the UN Global Compact principles, our work is far from over. We’re committed to doing all we can to build a more sustainable, inclusive future for our employees, owners and planet. We look forward to partnering with the UN Global Compact and its fellow members on ways we can work together to achieve global transformational change and strengthen our shared future.”
UN Global Compact
As the latest signatory to the UN Global Compact, GEA will build upon the foundation established this year in its first-ever Corporate Citizenship Impact Report. Released in January, the report outlines the company’s goals and demonstrates its progress in five core focus areas for the business and its corporate citizenship work: Community Engagement; Inclusion & Diversity; Operations Sustainability; Product Sustainability; and Compliance & Ethics.
GEA will join fellow Compact members in collaborative partnerships to help advance the broader development goals of the UN, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals, which address areas ranging from ending hunger and poverty to supporting quality education initiatives to fighting inequality and injustice.
Prior to formally joining the UN Compact, GEA has had a long history of championing sustainable and responsible business practices across its global operations. GEA was the first appliance manufacturer to partner in four voluntary EPA programs, including ENERGY STAR®, the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, the SmartWay Transport Partnership and WasteWise.
reducing CO2 emissions
In addition, GEA was the first full-line appliance manufacturer in the U.S. to adopt a new foam blowing agent used to insulate household refrigerators and freezers, substantially reducing CO2 emissions. In 2020, GEA received a RAD Champion Award through the RAD Leadership Awards Program.
GEA has also recently expanded gender-neutral paid parental leave up to 12 weeks for its employees and has earned the designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality” from the Human Rights Campaign four years in a row.
Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is a globally recognized voluntary initiative that currently has over 13,000 signatories based in 160 countries representing a variety of industries.
