Dow and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced a Carbon Challenge that looks to address the increasing built environment growth by encouraging reductions in the operational carbon footprint of buildings. The Carbon Challenge award will recognize office buildings and shopping centers in North Asia that have reduced their carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency beyond business as usual.

Taking the methodology of standardized rating systems even further, the Carbon Challenge evaluates merits based on Scope 1 – direct emissions from owned or controlled sources and Scope 2 – indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, during a one-year period. The Challenge is open to office buildings and shopping centers that are 20,000 square meters or larger situated in Japan, South Korea and Greater China – including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. All data will be verified by USGBC’s Arc system. Registration will close by August 31^st, 2019. 

 “USGBC’s deep knowledge of green building and sustainability practices and experience with third-party verification systems, along with Dow’s demonstrated technical expertise, creates the perfect foundation for catalyzing energy improvements in buildings worldwide,” says Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC. “We are thrilled to continue to partner with Dow to build on that foundation through our first ever Carbon Challenge, which will recognize building owners and managers that are making carbon-savings an integral part of their projects.”

“As urbanization puts demand on the building industry, improving the planning and execution processes of construction and development becomes a vital piece of the sustainability puzzle,” said Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Dow’s circular economy market director and global technology & sustainability director for Olympic & Sports Solutions. “Across the built environment value chain, architects, builders, urban planners, developers and others are challenged at every step to create high-performing, resilient buildings and communities. With these partnerships, it is our goal to leverage one another’s relationships and distinctive expertise to take this challenge head-on and help the industry utilize the most sustainable solutions available.”

Dow and USGBC’s joint initiative not only looks to encourage carbon emissions reductions in the built environment sector – which accounts for 36 percent of final energy use and 39 percent of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions¹ globally – but also to present winners of the Carbon Challenge with an opportunity to contribute their carbon savings to the Official Carbon Partnership between Dow and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

More details and the submission form can be found at www.carbon-challenge.com.

“Three of five North Asia markets where we are proudly launching the Carbon Challenge were included in this year’s top 10 countries and territories for LEED (or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) list,” said Andy To, managing director of USGBC North Asia. “These countries are prioritizing LEED, using it to conserve energy and water, reduce carbon emissions, save money for families and business, create healthier spaces for people and improve quality of life. I look forward to seeing buildings join us in the Carbon Challenge, and working together with Dow to help create a low-carbon future!”

“Solutions to enable a low-carbon future exist today and Dow has an extensive portfolio that can help building owners make sustainable decisions about their buildings’ embedded and operational carbon footprint,” said Jean-Paul Hautekeer, global marketing director high performance building at Dow. “Through this Carbon Challenge, we aim to share Dow’s experience and encourage building owners to make decisions for better built environments.”

The Dow-IOC Official Carbon Partnership was established in September 2017. Under the program, Dow is leveraging the Olympic brand to drive engagement and implement a series of impactful carbon mitigation projects around the world. These projects aim to balance the IOC’s operational carbon footprint while helping to drive the adoption of low-carbon innovations so as to catalyze changes in industry value chains and operational efficiencies. All carbon reductions under the Carbon Partnership are verified by third party experts.

“Sustainability is at the heart of the Olympic Movement and one of its working principles,” said Marie Sallois, director of sustainability with the IOC. “Partnering with a materials science and technology company like Dow, who is also the Official Chemistry Company of the Olympic Movement, presents strategic opportunities for us to use the power of sport to inspire the world outside of sport to join us in creating a more sustainable future.”