Dow Announces 2025 Sustainability Goals

Dow (NYSE: DOW), as it advances toward becoming the world's most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, has announced new and ambitious targets to address both climate change and plastic waste. The company has also published its Sustainability Report for the 17th consecutive year (2019), announcing progress and results toward its 2025 Sustainability Goals. Jim Fitterling, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dow, stated: "This announcement represents a new chapter in our sustainability journey, which began more than 30 years ago. Climate change and plastic waste are among the greatest technical, social and economic challenges facing the world; our products and technologies play a critical role in addressing both. As Dow, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead in overcoming these global challenges. A sustainable future is achievable, but it requires developing science- and technology-based new solutions that directly address both climate change and plastic waste through direct engagement, accountability and collaboration."

Dow's new sustainability commitments aligned with and building on its 2025 Sustainability Goals:

• Protecting the Climate: By 2030, Dow will reduce its annual net carbon emissions by 5 million tons, representing a 15% reduction from 2020 levels. Additionally, in line with the Paris Agreement, Dow targets carbon neutrality by 2050. The company is committed to implementing and developing technologies that enable it to produce with fewer resources and help customers reduce their carbon footprint.

 

• Preventing Waste:

By 2030, through direct measures and collaborations, it will enable the collection, reuse or recycling of 1 million tons of plastic, contributing to "waste prevention" efforts. The company is investing in critical technologies and infrastructure and engaging in collaborations to significantly increase global recycling.  

• Closing the Loop:

By 2035, Dow will help "close the loop" by ensuring that 100% of its products for packaging applications are reusable or recyclable. Dow is committed to designing and providing reusable or recyclable solutions for packaging applications. To achieve its sustainability goals, Dow is currently implementing a series of measures globally and has announced renewable power agreements for its production facilities in Argentina, Brazil, Texas and Kentucky. With these agreements, the company will obtain 338 megawatts of additional energy from renewable sources, expected to reduce its emissions by an additional 225,000 tons of CO₂ equivalent. At this pace, the company appears set to exceed its target of providing 750 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2025. Many Dow products help reduce carbon emissions that occur during production. Lighter and more fuel-efficient automobiles; energy-efficient buildings; food that stays fresh and healthy for longer periods are critical steps for our world, whose population is expected to grow by another 2 billion by 2050.

Dow has also introduced a new series of plastic resins for flexible and durable packaging applications that are mechanically recycled and offer the potential to reduce carbon and energy footprint by 20 to 30%.

Dow's plastic waste targets are supported by investments and collaborations, such as commitments and investments in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Circulate Capital, setting clear objectives both in preventing waste from entering the environment and in making the materials science industry part of a circular economy. For additional examples of Dow's initiatives to develop recycling technologies, enable customers to design recyclable products, and support infrastructure and education projects, click here. Mary Draves, Vice President and Director of Sustainability at Dow, stated: "Reducing the impact of climate change and eliminating plastic waste are closely interconnected societal issues. As a company that produces indispensable technologies for a low-carbon economy, we are developing and investing in new low-emission and optimally efficient production processes. We now view waste as a resource that will enable us to continue developing sustainable materials." Dow is also promoting the development and sale of low-carbon products and technologies that help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The company will collaborate with leading academics, NGOs, auditing experts, technology partners and other companies in the sector to ensure that companies are accountable for these greenhouse gas reductions. Dow plans to share more information about these collaborations later this year.

As indicated in Dow's 2019 Sustainability Report, the company has made significant progress toward its 2025 Sustainability Goals. For example, since 2006, Dow has:

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 15%,
• Incorporated carbon pricing into business planning,
• Invested in renewable energy capacity. Dow, the number one chemical company in clean energy use, ranks among the top 25 global companies in renewable energy use.