Carbon reduction in the center of attention of the Olympics

MIDLAND, Mich. – September 26, 2018 – More than four years after Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, verified carbon reduction from projects initiated to balance the carbon footprint of the event has amounted to 2,752,803 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), more than five times the commitment made by The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") to the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee in Dow’s role as the Games’ Official Carbon Partner.

Dow was also the Official Carbon Partner of Rio 2016 and in this capacity, Dow delivered the committed 500,000 tonnes of CO2e, balancing the estimated direct footprint of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, and an additional 733,677 tonnes of CO2e towards the broader aspirational goal of the Olympic Games ahead of the expected time frame. These data and status reports on the Olympic carbon reduction programs are published in a new carbon report specifically related to Dow’s collaborations with the Olympic Movement.

Sochi 2014 was the first Olympic Games to have the direct carbon footprint of the Organizing Committee mitigated even before the event’s Opening Ceremony while Rio 2016 had the most comprehensive carbon mitigation program, reaching beyond Brazil to introduce low carbon technologies across Latin America.

Dr. Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Technology & Sustainability Director for Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions, said, "This report transparently highlights the results of our work – both successes and learnings – and outlines our aspiration for a global and even more impactful program. The legacy of these programs goes well beyond the verified results to create broader industry impact during the many discussions with customers and experts throughout the implementation of these projects. Dow’s partnership with the Olympic Movement is showing the world that science and innovation in collaboration can deliver substantial environmental benefits and compelling business cases."

Marie Sallois-Dembreville, IOC Director of Corporate Development, Brand and Sustainability, said "In December 2017, the IOC published our Legacy Strategic Approach to better capitalize on the tangible and intangible long-term benefits initiated or accelerated by the hosting of the Olympic Games. We recognize that strategic partnerships are an enabler in the implementation of this approach. The work published by Dow today is a proof point of the real long-term benefits such our partnerships can bring to the host geographies and the Olympic movement."

"Dow’s initiatives with the Olympic Games are being monitored and disclosed under the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification guidelines prescribed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by ERM Group. Our responsibility is to conduct independent assessments and validation of Dow’s reports and verify project results," explained Braulio Pikman, Technical Director at ERM Group, Inc.

"The efforts undertaken by Dow are accurately reported and aligned with the methodology outlined in Dow’s Climate Solutions Framework that consolidates, adapts and goes beyond the most acknowledgeable international guidelines while ensuring environmental integrity is protected in all cases."

In September 2017, building on the successes of these programs, Dow and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) signed an Official Carbon Partnership to balance the operational carbon footprint of the IOC. This program extended the reach and influence of the program to a global scale, calling on more businesses and communities to contribute to this sustainability effort. Last month, Dow also shared the Collaboration Blueprint that underpins the collaboration, encouraging other events and organizations to adopt a similar approach to balancing carbon emissions, while catalyzing change across value chains.

The 2018 Carbon Report can be requested at www.dow.com/en-us/sports/sustainability. For more information about the Collaborative Blueprint, visit www.dow.com/carbonblueprint. The IOC’s Olympic Legacy information can be accessed at https://www.olympic.org/olympic-legacy/.

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