Dubai, United Arab Emirates - September 22, 2008
The Dow Jones Sustainability World Index recently announced it had rated The Dow Chemical Company as one of the top performers in the global chemical industry - marking the eighth time Dow has received this recognition since the launch of the Index in 1999.
The Company was recognized for its operational eco-efficiency, product stewardship, customer relationship management and people development, among other things. Dow's overall score was 85 percent - 24 percentage points higher than the average and just two points lower than the top score in the industry. Dow was one of nine chemical companies who made this year's list - which includes a total of 320 companies from 19 super sectors.
"Once again we are honored to be recognized by Dow Jones, reinforcing the positive impact we're making with our sustainability efforts across the Company," said Dave Kepler, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer. "As the global marketplace increases its demand for sustainable solutions, Dow is well positioned to lead the chemical industry in meeting and exceeding these demands."
Elaborating on Dow's global sustainability programs, John Dearborn, president, Dow Chemical India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA) said, "At Dow, corporate citizenship is a critical component of setting the standard for sustainability. It means we are focused on local citizenship, sustainable innovations, and global footprint reduction." He further added, "This recognition is a testament of Dow's global commitment to sustainability that we bring to the region and the world over."
"By connecting chemistry and science with the principles of sustainability, Dow is helping to address some of the world's most pressing challenges, bringing new hope to communities across the globe, new prospects for our planet and new business opportunities for the Company."
- Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals, inspired by the UN Millennium Development Goals, represent our long-term vision and desire to extend our focus to help make an impact on the world. These goals will drive our growth profitability while addressing the challenges of water and food supplies, housing, personal health, energy, climate change and protection of the environment.
- In July, Dow Latin America hosted a week long sustainability event aimed at promoting the debate about sustainable development, taking three crucial aspects into consideration: People, Planet, and Sustainable Businesses. The event was established to create new mindsets and unbiased actions towards stewardship of environment, health, and diversity as keys to the future and included activities designed to accelerate collaboration with customers, employees, partners, NGOs, the press, authorities, associations, and communities.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named Dow a 2008 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for excellence in energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Dow Chemical Company Foundation committed $10 million to establish a new Sustainable Products and Solutions program with the University of California at Berkeley's Haas School of Business, in partnership with its College of Chemistry.
- Dow in the Middle East won the 'Best Workplace Practices' award at the 5th CSR Summit 2008 in Dubai in recognition of the company's innovative and distinctive internal practices.
About the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index
The Index's annual review is based on a thorough analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, branding, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labor practices.
For more information on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, visit http://www.sustainability-indexes.com/
About Dow
Notes to Editors:
Dow Chemical in the Middle East is an active community member and strongly supports the social and economic aspirations of the local communities in which it operates:
- In February, Dow won an Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) annual award, which recognized Dow's commitment to protecting the environment. In 2007, Dow was a platinum sponsor of the NGO's initiatives. EEG was selected as a partner for community outreach as their objectives are directly aligned to Dow's 2015 Sustainability Goals.
- As an active community member, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation committed KD 200,000 to the Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LoYAC) in Kuwait. This charitable commitment is in line with Dow's thirteen-year presence in Kuwait through EQUATEPetrochemical Company K.S.C, a joint venture company established with the petrochemical arm of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.
- Dow continues to support the Young Arab Leaders (YAL) through the launch of the Arab and American Dialogue Program targeted at youth, media and companies in the Middle East and the United States.
Dow in the Middle East won the 'Best Workplace Practices' award at the 5th CSR Summit 2008 in Dubai in recognition of the company's innovative and distinctive internal practices.
For further information on Dow:
Mira Meghdessian
The Dow Chemical Company
t +971.4.312. 3635
Gaya Subramaniam
GolinHarris
t +971.4.332.3308
gsubramaniam@golinharris.ae
Gaurav Bhatnagar
GolinHarris
t +971.4.332.3308
gbhatnagar@golinharris.ae
