Valuing nature to fight climate change
As part of our pioneering "Valuing Nature" goal, Dow has committed to reducing carbon emissions and adopting "green infrastructure" in our global operations. We've made "Valuing Nature" screening mandatory for all capital project planning, and we've already realized $0.5 billion in business value from environmentally-friendly projects. Recently, we teamed up with Restore The Earth Foundation to revitalize the world's oldest and most powerful carbon capture technology: forests.
BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Protecting a critical ecosystem in our community
"Climate change is a real threat to civilization."
Dr. Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi
Circular Economy Market Director, Global Technology & Sustainability Director Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions
Nicknamed "North America's Amazon," the Mississippi River Basin is among the largest watersheds on Earth. And just like the Amazon River Basin, this critical ecosystem is being destroyed by major weather events and human and industrial development. In fact, 80% of U.S. wetland loss is located in the Mississippi River Basin primarily in Louisiana. Dow has a significant presence in Louisiana with four major operational sites St. Charles, Plaquemine, Grand Bayou and Greensburg. In November 2019, dozens of Dow volunteers participated in a tree planting to launch our collaboration with the Restore The Earth Foundation.
SOLUTION
"Backed by the Dow-IOC Official Carbon Partnership, our collaboration with Restore the Earth goes beyond business as usual, serving as a uniting force to help accelerate adoption of 'green infrastructure' in operations around the globe."
Dr. Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi
Circular Economy Market Director, Global Technology & Sustainability Director Dow Olympic & Sports Solutions
Forest restoration is essential to curbing the impact of global climate change through carbon capture. As trees grow, they absorb and store carbon dioxide emissions. In support of our Official Carbon Partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dow employees replanted 400 acres of native bald cypress trees in the Pointe-au-Chenes Wildlife Management Area to help restore the Mississippi River Basin.
This project contributed to:
Significant carbon savings
This private-public collaboration is projected to generate an estimated 80,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions reductions over a 40-year period.
Improved ecological benefits
In addition to carbon reduction benefits, the reforestation project is also expected to improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitats in this biologically diverse ecosystem.
Storm protection to residents
The Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area is the largest remaining land mass that could protect coastal communities from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Restoration of the cypress forest will help serve as a line of defense to help protect more than 200,000 residents from future storms through enhanced buffering capacity and Surge absorption functions of healthy coastal forests and wetlands inside levee protection systems.
Plus, this project is a perfect example of how protecting the environment is good for society and business. According to Restore the Earth Foundation's EcoMetrics Model and the Cypress Reforestation Social Return on Investment Report, the project is expected to generate $22 million in environmental, social and economic value in the region.
Learn more about Dow's sustainability commitments
2019 Sustainability Report
