The Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee has named US-based Dow Chemical Company as its official carbon partner. The committee announced that the partnership will result in "the most comprehensive carbon mitigation programme in the history of the Olympic Games".

As part of the initiative, Dow will be tasked with cutting 500,000 tons of carbon from Games-time operations using independently-verified emissions reductions.

According to Tânia Braga, head of sustainability for Rio 2016, the measures will build on the success of the Sustainable Future programme, implemented at this year’s Sochi Winter Games.

“Responsibility for the management of our carbon emissions is a commitment from the Games’ bid,” she said. “This is a big challenge, but I’m confident that we’ll achieve our goals.”

Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, global technology and sustainability director at Dow’s Olympic operations, added that the Rio 2016 sustainability programme will be a collaborative effort.

“We are working with customers and partners across different industry sectors to identify opportunities for the implementation of low-carbon and energy efficient technologies in the region,” she said.

“We are looking at areas such as food packaging, agriculture, industrial processes and the building and construction sector to generate climate benefits and address the Games’ direct emissions.”

Notes:

• Dow is among the world’s four largest chemical companies. In 2013, Dow had annual sales of US$57bn and employed 53,000 people worldwide. It manufactures plastics, chemicals and agricultural products.