Midland, MI - May 07, 2009

At the third Global Business Summit for the Environment (B4E), in Paris, France and a follow-up roundtable in Brussels, Dow leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership to further progress towards a sustainable global economy.

Co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Global Compact, B4E is the leading international conference focusing on business and the environment.  At the conference, CEOs and senior executives from leading global companies, government leaders, international agencies and NGOs discussed issues, built partnerships, and explored solutions for a more sustainable future.

"Sustainability is impossible without a new kind of dialogue - one involving NGOs, governments, companies, academics and ordinary people who are passionate about the future of human progress," said Pierre-Jean Brochand, Country Manager Dow France. "It is a great honor for Dow France to be part of this event and engage with key stakeholders."

Dow's sustainability leadership was highlighted Neil Hawkins, vice president of EH&S / Sustainability, who discussed the importance of establishing a culture of sustainability through concrete goals such as our 2005 and 2015 goal programs.  The company's integrated approach to water was an area of focus for a key breakout session. 

Summit speakers such as world renowned environmentalist and physicist Amory Lovins and U.S. Senator John Kerry cited Dow's energy efficiency and climate change advocacy track record as models to follow. In addition, Dow collaborated with the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) to bring one of the world's leading economists and statisticians to address the summit.

"At the summit, we were also able to engage in relationships with key customers and our new colleagues from Rohm & Haas who are increasingly interested in the sustainable solutions Dow provides," added Keith Wiggins, Country Manager Dow UK, Ireland and Nordic.  "One such customer was Suzlon Energy, one of the world's leading manufacturers of wind turbines and the largest customer of Epoxy Systems AIRSTONE products."

Following the B4E, Dow Government Affairs convened a roundtable of leading officials from the European Commission, Parliament, Council of Ministers, civil society and businesses including representatives from the US Mission to the European Union and the incoming Presidency of the EU from Sweden.  Companies joining the roundtable included Procter and Gamble, Unilever, IBM Toyota and BASF.  There was strong civil society representation from WWF, the Global Ecological Footprint Network and European Partners for the Environment.

This roundtable focused on the challenges and policy considerations associated with Sustainable Consumption and Production in a time of economic crisis - a topic of increasing relevance in the European Union and the world. 

"The Brussels roundtable was a perfect capstone to a week of discussions and dialogue on sustainability as a driver for economic growth and business opportunity," said Hawkins.  "The opportunity to connect with our customers, policy makers and other key stakeholders in events such as B4E and the Brussels Roundtable not only strengthen our reputation but help customers, NGOs and governments recognize Dow as a leader in addressing the challenges of sustainable growth and competitiveness."

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