Dow Chemical to Offset Olympics CO2

Dow Chemical, which was named the Official Carbon Partner of the XXII Olympic Winter Games, plans to mitigate the carbon footprint of the Sochi 2014 Games using its energy-efficient technologies.

Dow will apply its technology to target areas, such as building infrastructure, industry and agriculture within Russia. Improvements may include adding Dow’s air-sealing technologies to buildings and insulation materials for energy efficient and affordable housing, the company said.

Dow also will use its technology to find solutions for sustainable farming practices in Russia, such as reduced tillage to reduce soil erosion, the company said.

According to Dow, specialists in the field note that the estimated carbon footprint associated with hosting the Games will be between 300,000 and 400,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. (See note at bottom of this article.)

Dow will partner with Offsetters Climate Solutions, the official supplier of carbon offsets to the Vancouver Organizing Committee in 2010, to develop the measurement tools to account for the carbon reductions in Russia. ERM, an environmental, health, safety, risk, and social consulting service, will provide critical review for the partnership.

The Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee also announced the winners of Russia’s “Gateway to the Future” Sustainability Award. The series of prizes recognizes the best ecological, social and economic projects carried out by organizations involved in preparations for the 2014 Games.

Russian Railways won the best complex project award for its combined road and railway from Adler to Alpika-Servis, which will be used by all the participants and guests of the Games, including people with disabilities. Coca-Cola Company won the best project in the “harmony with nature” category for the creation of the International Black Sea Day. Other winners include Rostelecom, NK Rosneft, the Sochi City Administration and MegaFon.

Organizers of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games promised during their bid to the International Olympic Committee to deliver the most sustainable Olympics ever. The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games’ operations generated 311,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, 28 percent less than was forecast, largely due to energy savings in transportation, venues, IT services and the supply and use of materials, according to a report released in December by the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games.

Correction/update: Dow Chemical has informed Environmental Leader that the original estimated carbon footprint provided to us, of 360,000 metric tons, is incorrect. The company has provided a new estimate of between 300,000 and 400,000, sourced from experts in the field, but says this estimate is not official.