ESG Environment & Sustainability Performance

Our Dow sustainability strategy and goals

We’re working to deliver a sustainable future by collaborating and innovating to expand our ability to make a positive impact on society and the planet. As a leading materials science company, we have the responsibility and opportunity to act and lead the industry in areas where our science and innovation can make a difference. This means we are reducing our environmental footprint, developing and implementing circular economy solutions, and creating new materials that are more sustainable.

2021 highlights

1st

announced 1st net-zero emissions ethylene and derivatives complex in the world (Fort Saskatchewan site)

>900MW

expanded access to renewable power

85%

enabling 85% of Dow products sold into packaging applications to be reusable or recyclable

>85%

of innovation portfolio aligned to sustainability outcomes

63%

of the way to achieving $1B in business value from projects that enhance nature

$50MM

invested into impact funds, recycling infrastructure and circular plastics economy

Our focus areas: accelerating our sustainability commitments

Climate Protection, Circular Economy and Safer Materials are critical to our license to operate and represent areas where we are using our science, scale and global relationships across our value chains to create shared opportunity for Dow and society

Picture of a forest with mountains in background

Climate protection

We are committed to protecting our planet by combating climate change, including contributing to a lower-carbon future, both in our operations and value chains.

View climate protection

Picture of colorful plastic pellets for recycle

Circular economy

We are taking a leading role in driving a more circular economy by designing for circularity, building new business models for circular materials and partnering to end plastic waste.

View circularity

Safer materials

We are innovating new materials that offer a more favorable health and environmental profile over their life cycles compared to incumbent solutions.

View safer materials

Our targets: accelerating carbon neutrality and plastics circularity

In 2020, we set new, multi-decade targets to put us on a path to achieve carbon neutrality and eliminate plastic waste. These targets build upon our 2025 Sustainability Goals: 10-year commitments aimed at magnifying our company’s positive impact through collaboration with like-minded partners.

Protect the climate

By 2030, Dow will reduce its net annual carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons. This represents a 15% reduction from Dow’s 2020 baseline, and a 30% reduction from the 2005 baseline. By 2050, Dow intends to be carbon neutral (Scopes 1+2+3 plus product benefits).

Stop the waste

By 2030, Dow will enable 1 million metric tons of plastic to be collected, reused or recycled through its direct actions and partnerships.

Close the loop

By 2035, Dow will enable 100% of Dow products sold into packaging applications to be reusable or recyclable.

View the progress on our 2025 Sustainability Goals

As we continue to execute our 2025 Sustainability Goals that set the standard for the chemical industry, we also look at the goals that help us hit key targets along our sustainability journey.

Learn more

View full chapter in ESG report (PDF) here