box on a conveyor

Purchasing

Accelerating an inclusive and sustainable value chain

Sustainable purchasing is how we identify and reduce the environmental impact of our value chains. It helps us tap supply markets safely and ethically—driving a green marketplace and a more sustainable future. Our new sustainable purchasing strategy lays out a concrete roadmap for the years ahead based on three main pillars.

The 3 key pillars of Dow’s sustainable purchasing strategy

3 colleagues in PPE looking at tablet

Inspire

Encourage Team Dow and our suppliers to drive the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive value chain.

4 colleagues meeting

Engage

Drive deeper environmental and social integration through targeted collaborations with suppliers to deliver on Dow’s ambitious targets.

solar panels and wind mills

Innovate

Use a science- and data-driven purchasing approach to accelerate sustainable and inclusive outcomes.

Take a deeper dive into our sustainable purchasing strategy

Cargo ship

Tackling scope 3 emissions critical to reach net zero

Scope 3 emissions account for more than 70% of Dow’s corporate carbon emissions footprint, with more than half of those emissions coming from the raw materials, transportation and other services we purchase as a company. As such, targeted Scope 3 reduction initiatives are a powerful lever in delivering on Dow’s net-zero ambition.

What are scope 3 emissions?

Scope 3 emissions include upstream emissions from products and services we procure from suppliers, as well as downstream emissions from the transportation of our products to customers, plus the emissions related to the processing, use, and end-of-life of our sold products.

woman with wind mill models

How are we taking action?

At Dow, we’re working closely with our 30,000+ supplier base to identify and advance scope 3 emissions reduction opportunities. We recognize the significant opportunity we have to work with our suppliers to reduce those emissions – just as our customers are looking to us to reduce emissions for the products they buy from us.

Dow continues to advance our scope 3 emissions reduction strategy through:

  • Partnering with Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) to collect climate data on key suppliers
  • Developing the Supplier Climate Dashboard to help Team Dow understand our suppliers’ climate strategies
  • Expanding the CDP program and urging our 500+ suppliers to disclose carbon emissions data and reduction plans

 

Partnering with our suppliers on sustainability assessments

Dow's membership in the TfS initiative reflects our commitment to promoting sustainability and responsible business practices, as well as upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency in our operations.

highway interchange

How is Dow promoting responsible practices throughout its supply chain?

Dow joined the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative in 2021 and has undertaken a thorough analysis of our supply chain sustainability risks. We developed a comprehensive supplier sustainability program that includes policies and procedures for identifying and mitigating sustainability risks, offering training and education to employees and business partners, and promoting sustainability initiatives throughout the supply chain.

road with mountains in background

How can suppliers assess their sustainability performance?

The EcoVadis assessment gives suppliers a framework to evaluate and improve their sustainability performance based on a comprehensive set of criteria. In comparison, TfS audits ensure that suppliers comply with the industry's sustainability standards and demonstrate responsible practices throughout the supply chain.

By driving progress toward a more sustainable supply chain, Dow is contributing to a better future for customers, employees, investors, and the environment.