Creating A Business That Takes Social Value Seriously

Sustainable development is in the spotlight as governments around the world meet in Paris this month to discuss action against climate change. GE’s mission is to help its partners to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges, to minimise environmental impact and to advance social development.

Here are just a few ways in which GE is partnering with customers to make a difference.

Expanding renewable energy capacity
GE now has a global footprint of 30 000 wind turbines, and is expanding into the production of offshore wind farms. By 2020, half of all new electric power capacity will be renewable.
A sustainability strategy focused on social value
GE is a partner in building Africa’s sustainable future, with strategic direction provided by GE Kujenga, helping to ensure that GE’s business and operations create value for societies and make a difference, while also creating a return on financial investment.

Powering rural areas

GE is actively supporting two initiatives backing renewable energy projects. The Distributed Power University Challenge focuses on projects that provide power for communities, with a recent winner using mobile phones to control wind turbines for rural households in Kenya.

GE is also a sponsor of the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge. Run annually in partnership with the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the initiative promotes energy solutions that reach communities not yet served by traditional power grids.

Through this challenge, Africa’s innovative energy entrepreneurs have come to the fore, with past winners including Titi Masha’s Topstep Nigeria, which develops solar-powered grain mills. Local farmers benefit from improved operations and increased profits. Meanwhile in southern Kenya, Pfoofy Power and Lighting, founded by Charles Ogingo, helps local farmers and fishermen get produce to distant urban markets via solar-powered electric bikes.