Dow's Corporate citizenship

As we press forward with our long-term growth agenda, we remain committed to understanding the needs and expectations of the people affected by our activities … and delivering on those expectations. That commitment extends beyond the immediate sphere of our employees, our retirees and the communities in which we operate, to embrace the Human Element across a far wider societal plain: the end-users of our products, the governments and municipalities that benefit from our presence, and people across the globe facing fundamental needs that Dow can help to address.

2007 was a year in which we advanced that agenda (604KB PDF) on many fronts, including:

• Conducting research to assess the quality of life in several Dow locations around the world, to understand and prioritize local environmental, social and economic needs in the communities in which we operate. The research will not only help to ensure that we are a good neighbor and partner in our 150 global communities, but will also help to strategically position Dow in areas where we seek to have a presence in the future.
• Making further strides to tackle the growing global issue of clean water, including our sponsorship of the 15,200-mile 2007 Blue Planet Run.
• Provisionally agreeing to provide up to $30 million of loan guarantees to WaterHealth International that would support the installation of 2,000 community water systems in rural India and provide a sustainable source of safe drinking water for 11 million people in remote locations across the country.
• Launching a Sustainable Living campaign with our 46,000 employees around the globe, promoting ways that employees and their families can reduce energy use, and encouraging people to sign a personal commitment to the campaign.
• Building on our long-standing efforts to improve the safety and security of chemicals transportation. In 2007, Dow joined with the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration, Union Pacific Corporation and Union Tank Car in various initiatives to enhance the safety performance of rail tank cars, improve shipment visibility, support community emergency response education and design supply chains that reduce risk.
• Contributing more than $36 million to support a wide range of programs that contribute to community success, support sustainability, foster science in society and stimulate innovation around the world. The Company also made substantive one-time contributions to several global projects and a major revitalization initiative in its hometown of Midland, Michigan, U.S.A., bringing total philanthropy in 2007 to $53.5 million. This compares with $27.9 million in 2006.
• In 2007, several of Dow’s commitments supported the marketing activities and product development efforts of individual businesses. For example, our continued partnership with Habitat for Humanity not only supported the group’s quest to eliminate substandard housing, but also served to showcase the performance and versatility of a range of products from Dow Building Solutions … including a complete photovoltaic installation at Habitat’s 2007 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Together, Dow’s environmental and societal commitments put our Company on record as affirming that our workplace, community and environmental accomplishments will be among the most important success factors for Dow’s future.

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