Published October 3, 2002 in the Midland (MI) Daily News

By Beth Medley Bellor

The Dow Chemical Co. has released its 2001 Global Public Report, the fourth annual corporate progress report on Dow’s commitment to sustainable development.

“We are continuing to learn by doing,” said Michael D. Parker, president and chief executive officer of Dow. “Through the 12-Point Sustainable Development Operating Plan, we have found a way to begin to take sustainable development from a concept to a way of doing business.”

Dow developed the 12-point plan in 2001 as a tool for implementing the sustainable development principles published in the company’s 2000 Public Report. New tasks include increasing transparency in all activities and performance; integrating sustainable development principles into all business, function and site strategies; developing essential-to-life products that contribute to a sustainable society; and increasing community involvement.

“Our new tasks are ambitious, but we have a record of achieving ambitious goals,” said Lawrence J. Washington, Jr., Dow vice president, Environment, Health and Safety, Human Resources and Public Affairs. “In 1995, when we announced our EH&S goals, we did not know how to achieve them. Today, we have already met some of these goals. We attribute our success to our innovative people and their personal commitment to progress in sustainable development.”

The report is available at http://www.dowpublicreport.com/. The website provides additional information in support of the print report.

Dow’s 21 major production sites also are producing public reports highlighting local performance; some are available online already. The Michigan Operations report is expected to be online in a week or two, and in print in perhaps three weeks. Print copies will be available at the 47 Building downtown.

Highlights for 2001 include the integration of Union Carbide Corp.; the creation of a People Strategy to attract, develop and retain talented people; and meeting Responsible Care commitments. Emission of 29 priority compounds also is going well, as the company announced it is below the 2005 goal of 75 percent reduction. Total chemical emissions have been reduced by 42 percent, within sight of the 50 percent goal. The reductions were achieved while production increased 20 percent.

Challenges remain in a couple of areas. By the end of 2001, Dow had realized a leaks, breaks and spills reduction of 44 percent from the 1994 baseline. However, progress is short of the 2005 stretch goal of 90 percent reduction.

Process safety incidents also are a concern, as they increased in 2001. The 2005 stretch goal for this area also is 90 percent reduction, but the actual reduction to date is 60 percent.

Dioxin continues to be a challenge as well. The report notes that testing revealed a problem in a treatment unit in Texas, leading to an increase above 2000 emissions. Dow’s stated goal is release of 4.05 grams by 2005. While the 2001 release of 17.53 grams keeps the company on track to meet its long-term goal, it is above the releases of 15.95 grams in 2000 and 16.76 grams in 1999.