Rio 2016 and Dow partnership to deliver the most comprehensive carbon mitigation in the history of the Games
November 10th, 2014
In September, we sealed our first partnership under the Abraça Sustentabilidade programme. Our partnership with Dow, Worldwide Sponsor and the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Games, will allow us to mitigate 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) using technology-based solutions. This mitigation refers to the operations of the Games.
In addition, Rio 2016 and Dow undertook to mitigate 1.5 million extra tonnes of CO2eq from other activities, mainly spectator travel. This is the most comprehensive carbon mitigation figure in the history of the Games.
When we talk about mitigation, this is not the same as merely buying credits on the carbon market. In this case, the emissions are compensated in a timely manner, through climate benefits already generated. The mitigation programme works as a tool centred on low-carbon technologies that generate a set of climate, social and economic benefits over time. Even after implementation, the programme continues to generate benefits.
The carbon mitigation programme for the Rio 2016 Games will focus on areas of agriculture, industry and infrastructure. In Brazil, these three sectors have at the same time a high carbon emission and a high potential for the deployment of advanced, more sustainable technologies.
For example, in the agriculture sector, Dow will work on projects to assist farmers enhancing productivity in the field and reducing loss in food transportation and storage. Whilst increasing the agricultural productivity, the result is a lower carbon emission.
For the industrial area, Dow owns leading-edge technology to improve energy efficiency in industrial processes, for example, with the use of cleaner energy. In the infrastructure sector, Dow will implement energy efficiency projects in buildings using thermal insulation panels, which reduces the energy used for refrigeration systems.
And we will not wait until after the Games have finished to implement this programme. On the contrary, the joint efforts of Rio 2016 and Dow will ensure that all mitigation projects have been deployed before the Games begin, generating benefits for all those affected for a period of ten years.
Do you want to be part of this initiative? You can start right now! Adopt environmentally responsible habits, such as using public transport instead of a car, or opt for certified products, and you can reduce your carbon emissions too!