General Motors Company (GM) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

GM discloses no formal net-zero target year and explicitly stated to a shareholder proponent that it 'does not maintain a net zero emissions goal.' Scope 3 (product-use) emissions are not quantified in these filings despite EVs representing a growing but still minority share of the portfolio, while ICE full-size trucks/SUVs remain the primary profit driver. The company relies on purchased regulatory compliance credits ($0.4B-$2.0B annually) rather than solely operational cuts to meet GHG/CAFE targets. Capital is being directed toward both EV/battery infrastructure (Ultium Cells JVs) and new ICE V8 engine production, indicating a mixed decarbonization trajectory.

Criticisms on file

GM paid $0.4B-$2.0B annually (2023-2025) to purchase GHG/CAFE compliance credits rather than achieving reductions solely through operational/product changes.
Source: GM_10k.txt - Automotive Fuel Economy and GHG Emissions section
EV capacity realignment in 2025 (charges of $7.9B in GMNA) reflects reduced near-term investment pace in zero-emission vehicle production amid slowing demand.
Source: GM_10k.txt - Risk Factors, EV strategy section
Ongoing exposure to industrial environmental liabilities including air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and chemical (PFAS) regulatory compliance across global operations.
Source: GM_10k.txt - Industrial Environmental Control / Chemical Regulations section

Disclosed initiatives

Ultium Cells Battery Joint Ventures

Battery cell production JV with LG Energy Solution in Warren, Ohio and Spring Hill, Tennessee supporting EV manufacturing scale-up.

Physical infrastructure investment supporting electrification, though EV capacity was scaled back in 2025 due to slowing demand.
U.S. Manufacturing Onshoring Investment

$4.0B capital investment to onshore production in Tennessee, Kansas, and Michigan; concurrently ~$1.0B investment in new fuel-efficient V8 ICE engines in New York.

Mixed impact — includes both EV/ICE flexibility investments and continued ICE propulsion development.

Social story

Substantially all U.S. hourly employees (~47,000) are unionized, primarily under the UAW, creating structural labor-relations risk factors disclosed by the company itself. Board-level gender diversity is moderate (approximately 36% women), but combined executive-officer and board diversity representation appears below the 30% threshold. GM's raw material supply chain includes cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements sourced through offtake agreements, which carry inherent human-rights and responsible-sourcing risks common to the EV battery supply chain, though no specific unmitigated audit finding was disclosed in these documents.

Criticisms on file

High dependency on unionized labor force with disclosed risk of strikes, work stoppages, or labor conflicts tied to collective bargaining agreement renegotiations.
Source: GM_10k.txt - Risk Factors, Manufacturing Facility Disruption section
Supply chain sourcing of cobalt, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements for EV batteries carries disclosed but unquantified human-rights and responsible-sourcing risk exposure.
Source: GM_10k.txt - Raw Materials, Services, and Supplies section

Disclosed initiatives

Workplace of Choice / Total Rewards

Comprehensive compensation, healthcare, 401(k) matching, and wellness programs aimed at attracting and retaining talent.

Supports employee retention and well-being.
Speak Up for Safety Program

Employee safety concern process empowering hourly, salaried, and represented employees to report safety issues.

Framework for workplace safety culture improvement.

Governance story

GM maintains a single-class share structure with no supermajority founder voting rights. Board independence is high (10 of 11 nominees independent; only CEO Mary Barra is non-independent), though she holds the combined Chair/CEO role, which a shareholder proposal sought to separate (rejected by the Board). Notably, in early 2026 GM sought and received SEC no-action relief to exclude a shareholder proposal related to net-zero emissions reporting from the proxy ballot, characterizing the proposal as materially false/misleading and substantially implemented — an action that raises governance concerns regarding shareholder engagement on climate topics. GM also lobbies on fuel-economy and emissions regulatory matters, including support for legislation zeroing CAFE civil penalties.

Criticisms on file

In January 2026, GM submitted a no-action request to the SEC to exclude a shareholder proposal (related to net-zero/GHG emissions disclosure) from the proxy ballot; the SEC did not object in March 2026, and the proponent's further engagement was not pursued.
Source: GM_proxy.txt - Shareholder Proposals section
Shareholder proposal requesting separation of Chair and CEO roles (submitted by National Legal and Policy Center) was opposed by the Board, maintaining the combined Chair/CEO structure under Mary Barra.
Source: GM_proxy.txt - Item 6, Shareholder Proposal Regarding Separation of Chair and CEO Roles
Shareholder proposal requesting a report on Indigenous Peoples' human rights standards (submitted by Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace) was opposed by the Board.
Source: GM_proxy.txt - Item 7, Shareholder Proposal Requesting a Report on Human Rights Standards for Indigenous Peoples

Disclosed initiatives

Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee Oversight

Board committee monitors political contributions, lobbying activities, and sustainability strategy.

Provides board-level oversight structure for governance and ESG-related risks.
Board Refreshment / Term Limits

Adopted 20-year director term limit and age-75 retirement rule in 2025 governance guideline updates.

Supports board refreshment and reduces entrenchment risk.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of General Motors Company. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open General Motors Company in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

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