Jan 4 2008
Following the fourth assessment report of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and a gathering of representatives from over 180 countries at this month’s UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia, the Dow Chemical Company today unveiled its solutions-based approach for addressing the twin challenges of energy and climate change.
As one of the largest global producers of products that reduce energy use, Dow is uniquely positioned to lead innovation around energy alternatives, less carbon intensive raw materials and technological breakthroughs that will help solve the world’s GHG and energy challenges.
Dow’s position paper also endorses the Wedge Stabilization model, developed by Princeton Professors Robert Socolow and Stephen Pacala. This model provides a multi-faceted framework for utilizing existing technologies and practices and developing new technologies that will lead to a world in carbon equilibrium. It embodies Dow's fundamental belief that chemistry will help lead the way in providing answers that will solve these challenges.
"As a world leader in chemistry and one of the world’s largest industrial energy users, no one has more at stake in the solution — or more of an ability to have an impact on — the overlapping issues of energy supply and climate change than we do," said David E. Kepler, Dow senior vice president and chief sustainability officer. "Dow is leveraging the strength of the Human Element in our laboratories and facilities around the world to achieve technological breakthroughs that will help address climate change and energy efficiency."
Dow's approach to addressing the challenges of energy and climate change is reflected in its 2015 Sustainability Goals – the company’s public commitment to hold itself accountable in the pursuit of solutions to pressing global challenges including climate change and energy.
“Since 1990, Dow has proactively reduced its energy intensity by 38 percent and its own greenhouse gas footprint by more than 20 percent, a level that exceeds Kyoto Protocol targets,” said Rich Wells, Dow vice president of Energy. “However, our vision reaches beyond Dow’s own fences to demonstrate how we will lead the global call for a multi-faceted approach to energy and climate change based on the central role of chemistry in creating a sustainable future.”