For the first time in Olympic history, all of the travel for spectators, athletes, and media to the upcoming 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics will be offset, enabling a carbon neutral travel footprint, thanks to Dow.
Dow is the Official Carbon Partner for the Winter Games, and as such, will mitigate an estimated 160,000 metrics tons of CO2 (equivalent) from greenhouse gas emissions related to travel.
“One of our main inspirations is to take a significant step forward to help increase environmental awareness and inspire others to do the same in Russia. Thanks to Dow’s strong leadership and partnership, expertise and unmatched capabilities, we are delivering on our commitment to host Games with minimal impact on climate and achieving an invaluable positive impact for our country and for the Olympic Movement.” – Dmitry Chernyshenko, president of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfFasHcbOFg
The carbon offsets for travel-related emissions will be handled through a portfolio of offset projects, including renewable energy, protection and restoration of vulnerable ecosystems (specifically a forest conservation project in Vladivostok, the Bikin Tiger project), and energy efficiency. In addition, offset projects in both South Korea and Brazil, which will be hosting upcoming Olympic Games, will be supported by Dow.
“Dow’s vast portfolio of innovative, technology-based solutions, combined with the highly-valuable contributions from our partners, will enable Sochi 2014 to deliver on its carbon commitments. Through industry-leading expertise and strategic partnerships, Dow will bring to the Olympic stage, once again, the power of Solutionism.” – Peter de Groot, Dow Russia general manager
These offset projects will be developed according to international standards, as laid out by the International Carbon Offset and Reduction Alliance (ICROA) Code of Practice.
Wow. Let’s give credit where it’s due. Dow hasn’t always been a good corporate citizen, but this is a really awesome step. True, of course, it’s great branding for them, and their business model is still a tricky one, full of plastics, petrochemicals, pesticides and GMOs, but it’s good to see them giving back in such a powerful way.