GM China Advanced Technical Center Receives LEED Silver Certification
Adopts advanced green building best practices and technologies
SHANGHAI, May 22, 2013 /3BL Media/ – The GM China Advanced Technical Center (ATC) in Shanghai has been awarded Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.
The LEED certification program is a globally recognized process that uses common standards to define “green buildings.” Its goal is to support the design and construction of buildings that reduce or eliminate their impact on the environment and promote sustainable design and construction practices.
The ATC includes research and development, advanced design, vehicle engineering, powertrain engineering and telematics laboratories. The first phase opened in September 2011 and the second phase in November 2012.
The ATC has adopted a series of green building best practices and technologies. They include:
- Interior and exterior lighting design to reduce light pollution
- Paving and roofing materials to reduce the heat island effect
- Water use design to save up to 30% of water used
- Optimizing energy usage with energy efficient strategies for glazing, lighting and HVAC
- Enhanced refrigerant material usage
- Use of recycled and regional material content for construction
- Increased building air ventilation
- Use of low-emitting materials such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and carpets
- Indoor chemical pollution control
- Controllability of lighting for energy savings
"As China's most advanced automotive technical development center, the ATC has an opportunity to lead the way in protecting the environment,” said Bob Socia, GM China President and Chief Country Operations Officer for China, India and ASEAN. “This is in line with our commitment to help create a greener, safer and healthier community for the people of China.”
The GM International Operations and GM China Headquarters in Shanghai, which are adjacent to the ATC, were awarded LEED Gold Certification in December 2010. GM’s home in China was recognized for its high level of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly design and construction.
GM has been recognized for recycling more waste from its worldwide facilities than any other automaker. It recycled or reused 2.5 million metric tons of waste – the equivalent of 38 million garbage bags – at its plants worldwide in 2011.
In China, GM has 10 landfill-free facilities. Seven are operated by Shanghai GM and three by SAIC-GM-Wuling. These facilities – which include stamping, assembly and casting operations – reuse, recycle or convert to energy all manufacturing waste from their daily operations. They are among GM’s 105 landfill-free facilities worldwide.
As the most widely recognized and widely used green building program across the globe, LEED is transforming buildings, homes and communities in all 50 U.S. states and 135 countries. LEED guides the design, construction, operations and maintenance of more than 50,000 projects worldwide. By using less energy, LEED-certified spaces save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce carbon emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. Learn more at usgbc.org/leed.
General Motors traces its roots back to 1908. GM has 12 joint ventures, two wholly owned foreign enterprises and more than 55,000 employees in China. GM and its joint ventures offer the broadest lineup of vehicles and brands among automakers in China. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles are sold under the Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Jiefang, Opel and Wuling brands. In 2012, GM sold more than 2.8 million vehicles in China. It has been the sales leader among global automakers in the market for eight consecutive years. More information on General Motors in China can be found at GM Media Online.
