SHANGHAI, CHINA. - April 7, 2009 - The World Environment Center (WEC) and Shanghai General Motors (SGM) have launched the 2009 phase of their innovative partnership to foster environmental stewardship among SGM's China-based suppliers through the Green Supply Chain project. This phase is the continuation of a successful collaboration between SGM and WEC, and WEC's local partner, JPI Group to expand the activities to 80 new SGM suppliers in 2009. The project has been incorporated in SGM's Drive to Green initiative, which promotes sustainable development at every link of the supply chain of China's automotive industry, and aims to work with suppliers to improve their manufacturing processes by lowering consumption of raw materials and energy sources.

The goal of the project is to provide access to local technical experts to participating suppliers to monitor their progress and provide program support in the areas of Clean Production and Energy Efficiency. SGM announced today that the second phase of the project has provided a total savings of 22 million RMB in one year in energy costs, over 18 million RMB in one year in raw material savings, and a reduction of over 6 million tons of solid waste, among other noteworthy achievements. SGM held a ceremony today with the suppliers from the first two phases of the project and the 80 new selected suppliers to celebrate past and future achievements.

"Our partnership with SGM continues to play a crucial role in promoting environmental progress and economic successes among local manufacturers," stated Dr. Terry F. Yosie, President and CEO of the World Environment Center. "This project is a great representation of the evolution of sustainability in China by using direct application in the field that provide tangible results in the strive toward greater environmental action."

About the World Environment Center
The World Environment Center (WEC) is an independent, non-profit, non-advocacy organization whose mission is to advance sustainable development through the business strategies and operations of its member companies in partnership with government and other stakeholders. WEC's activities and operations are global in scope, and it is unique in providing direct, on-the-ground support to companies to improve their performance, and that of their business partners, across the value chain. For more information about WEC, please go to www.wec.org.

World Environment Center

World Environment Center

The World Environment Center advances sustainable development through corporate business practices. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Europe and Latin America, WEC creates business solutions through Executive Roundtables on key sustainability challenges, builds capacity of small enterprises in emerging markets, and honors industry excellence through its annual Gold Medal Award. WEC is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization. For more information, please visit www.wec.org.

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