Dow's role in creating climate benefits to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions from the organisation and hosting of the next Summer Games will involve what Tania Braga, head of sustainability for Rio 2016, describes as "an evolution from the past three Games".

She told insidethegames: "We will take the best lessons from them and take another step forward.

"Vancouver 2010 did a great job of engaging with the public and inspiring people to lower the carbon footprint of their own lives.

"London 2012 calculated the carbon footprint of their events in a very solid and methodical way, and used a strategy for mitigating that footprint which partly involved projects in different parts of the world."

For Sochi 2014, Dow introduced many technological innovations locally and throughout Russia to minimise carbon emissions, in the key areas of agricultural practices, industrial production methods and construction materials.

"Rio is the first Games that will be putting these three things together in one single programme," said Braga.

Dr Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, global technology and sustainability director, Dow Olympic Operations, told insidethegames that Rio 2016 will present challenges very different from those faced in Sochi.

"It's not just that Sochi was very cold and that Rio will be very hot," she said.

"In Brazil, energy is generated predominantly from hydro-electric power, whereas Russia has predominantly more fossil fuels.

"More than 60 per cent of the carbon footprint in Brazil comes from de-forestation and agriculture.

"So we will be using a portfolio of projects.

"As agriculture is the main element, we will be looking at integrating better practice in cattle farming, and also reducing food wastage, as well as introducing more efficient packaging solutions to keep food fresher during transport.

"We will also be introducing our specially developed insulation panels for the construction industry which will reduce the energy needed for air conditioning."

Representatives from Rio 2016 and The Dow Chemical Company line up after confirming a unique partnership to mitigate carbon emissions from the next Olympic Games



Dow, a Worldwide Olympic Partner, thus becomes the first partner of Rio 2016's "Abraça ('Embrace') Sustainability", the programme developed by the Organising Committee to promote and stage the Games with low environmental impact and a positive social legacy.

"For Rio 2016, sustainability is an imperative, being present from the early stages of preparation to the delivery and post-Games," Braga said.

""Responsibility for the management of our carbon emissions is a commitment from the Games' bid.

"Additionally, the technologies being implemented will create a legacy for strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy.

"This is a big challenge, but I'm confident that we'll achieve our goals with the most comprehensive carbon mitigation programme in the history of the Olympic Games."

Dow will mitigate 500,000 tons of CO2 emissions created by the organisation and hosting of the Games, a total that will be independently verified by ERM, the global consulting company who assessed the operation at the Sochi Games.

Dow and Rio 2016 will also work to generate an additional 1.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent climate benefits by 2026, addressing other Games-related emissions.

Dow introduced many technological innovations in Sochi and across Russia as a whole in the lead-up to this year's Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Getty Images



"More than being the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, Dow is a global leader in low-carbon technology solutions, which makes Dow a natural fit as our partner in the 'Abraça Sustainability' platform," said Renato Ciuchini, chief commercial officer of Rio 2016.

"The partnership with Dow opens doors for different businesses and industries to lower their carbon footprints and ultimately contribute to one of Rio 2016's key sustainability goals, which is the mitigation of its own emissions."

"Beyond generating local benefits, we want the benefits from the Games to be nationwide," said Sidney Levy, chief executive officer of Rio 2016.  

"Carbon is one of the best examples of Abraça's legacy for Brazil, as it brings technological advancements to important areas of our country's economy while mitigating the Games' GHG emissions."

George Hamilton, vice-president of Dow Olympic Operations, said: "We are honoured and proud to join Rio 2016 as the first partner of the 'Abraça Sustainability' platform.

"This is an additional proof of our commitment, as the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Movement, to help deliver higher-performing and more sustainable Games."

Pedro Suarez, President of Dow in Latin America, added: "For Dow Brazil, the legacy that we deliver through our partnership with Rio 2016 represents the perfect way to commemorate our 60-year anniversary in the country - to  be celebrated with the first-ever Olympic Games in Brazil, in 2016."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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