Rio 2016 and Worldwide TOP Partner Dow announce the most comprehensive carbon programme in Olympic Games history
Worldwide TOP Partner Dow, The Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, has become the Official Carbon Partner of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with the goal of mitigating the direct greenhouse gas emissions from the organisation and hosting of the event.
As the Official Carbon Partner of Rio 2016, Dow will mitigate 500,000 tons of CO2 equivalents (CO2eq) through 3rd party-verified emissions reductions. Dow and Rio 2016 will also work to generate an additional 1.5 million tons of CO2eq in climate benefits by 2026, addressing other Games-related emissions.
“For Rio 2016, sustainability is an imperative, being present from the early stages of preparation to the delivery and post-Games. Responsibility for the management of our carbon emissions is a commitment from the Games’ bid. Additionally, the technologies being implemented will create a legacy for strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy,” said Tânia Braga, Head of Sustainability for Rio 2016. “This is a big challenge, but I’m confident that we’ll achieve our goals with the most comprehensive carbon mitigation programme in the history of the Olympic Games.”
Worldwide Olympic Partner Dow becomes the first partner of Rio 2016’s “Abraça [Embrace] Sustainability”, the programme developed by the Organising Committee to promote and stage the Games with low environmental impact and a positive social legacy.
“More than being the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, Dow is a global leader in low-carbon technology solutions, which makes Dow a natural fit as our partner in the ‘Abraça Sustainability’ platform,” says Renato Ciuchini, Chief Commercial Officer, Rio 2016. “The guiding principle for ‘Abraça’ is to maximise sustainability within the Games. Our actions should be good for the environment, good for people and good for business. The partnership with Dow is fully aligned with our goals and expectations, as it opens doors for different businesses and industries to lower their carbon footprints and ultimately contribute to one of Rio 2016’s key sustainability goals, which is the mitigation of its own emissions.”
Building on the expertise and success of the programme implemented at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Dow designed a tailor-made programme to address the technology needs for Brazil while generating climate benefits for the mitigation of the carbon footprint of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
“We are working with customers and partners across different industry sectors to identify opportunities for the implementation of low-carbon and energy efficient technologies in the region,” said Dr Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Global Technology and Sustainability Director, Dow Olympic Operations. “We are looking at areas such as food packaging, agriculture, industrial processes and the building and construction sector to generate climate benefits and address the Games’ direct emissions.”
“The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent unique opportunities to transform Rio de Janeiro through the infrastructure improvements already taking shape within the city and its surroundings,” said Sidney Levy, Chief Executive Officer of Rio 2016. “Beyond generating local benefits, we want the benefits from the Games to be nationwide. Carbon is one of the best examples of Abraça’s legacy for Brazil, as it brings technological advancements to important areas of our country’s economy while mitigating the Games’ GHG emissions.”
“We are honoured and proud to join Rio 2016 as the first partner of the ‘Abraça Sustainability’ platform,” said George Hamilton, Vice President, Dow Olympic Operations. “This is an additional proof of our commitment, as the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Movement, to help deliver higher-performing and more sustainable Games.”