10 most 'accountable' big companies

GE uses wind turbines like this one to generate electricity. The company's installed base of turbines can power about 1.5 million U.S. households, saving as much as 11.4 million tons of greenhouse gases a year from being emitted compared to traditional fuels.

While GE's recent drop in profits took investors by surprise, the technology and services giant has done a good job of reporting its citizenship activities to stakeholders.

GE, which catapults from No. 13 in 2007, consistently provides updates on the progress of ambitious goals such as improving healthcare policy and establishing career training in developing countries.

But the company's crown jewel is its Ecomagination initiative, a program that aims to expand GE's portfolio of environmentally friendly products and technologies. CEO Jeff Immelt recently announced that the initiative will produce revenues of $17 billion in 2008 - a 21% increase from the year before - from selling products such as ultra-efficient locomotives and advanced membranes that filter water.

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