The World Environment Center (WEC) is announcing that its 30th Annual Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development will be awarded to the Volkswagen Group.

The company is being recognized for its comprehensive commitments to environmental sustainability operations, most notably through its holistic sustainable business model, Think Blue. Volkswagen will accept the Gold Medal Award on Thursday, May 15, 2014, during the Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Volkswagen’s Gold Medal submission was evaluated through a global competition with companies in multiple business sectors by WEC’s independent Gold Medal Jury chaired by Dr. Joel Abrams, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh. The Jury determined that Volkswagen earned the award on the merits of its long-term dedication to integrating sustainability into its business products and operations.

Think Blue is Volkswagen’s holistic vision toward attaining a sustainable and ecofriendly business model throughout the company’s global operations and, to date, focuses on a range of clean diesel vehicles, sustainability contracts with suppliers, efficiency training throughout Volkswagen’s global workforce, and LEED-certified facilities.

“On behalf of the independent Gold Medal Jury, I extend my congratulations to Volkswagen for its longstanding commitment to sustainable business throughout its operations, facilities, workforce and products,” stated Dr. Abrams.

In acknowledging receipt of the longest standing and most prestigious global sustainability award Volkswagen Group Head of Sustainability Gerhard Prätorius stated, “It is a great honor for Volkswagen to receive the Gold Medal Award for Sustainable Development in 2014. This award serves to further motivate and encourage Volkswagen to reach our ambitious goals in the forthcoming years.”

The World Environment Center’s Gold Medal for International Corporate Achievement in Sustainable Development was established in 1985 to recognize significant industry initiatives in global environmental excellence and sustainable development. Recent recipients of the WEC Gold Medal Award are: Unilever (2013), IBM (2012), Nestlé (2011), Wal-Mart Stores (2010), The Coca-Cola Company (2009), and Marks & Spencer (2008).

The Gold Medal Jury is independent of WEC and its programs, and is composed of international leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organizations and retired industry professionals.