It can be done!

DuPont’s recent 2011 Sustainability Progress Report shows the company’s environmental footprint continues to shrink DuPont delivered a 75 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and a 6 percent reduction in absolute energy use since 1990, while increasing production 40 percent during that same period.

Increasingly, DuPont is focused on helping businesses integrate sustainability as a growth strategy, which is highlighted by an annual customer survey that shows an increased demand for products with environmental benefits. “While reducing our footprint continues to be important, our growing focus is on how to use DuPont science and innovation to bring new products to the marketplace that improve efficiencies and sustainability throughout the entire value chain,” said Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Linda J. Fisher. “We see DuPont having an expanded role to provide sustainable solutions to our customers around the world as population dramatically increases.”

A DuPont annual survey of more than 3,500 customers, conducted in August 2011, showed they want safer materials, a reduction in water and energy use in manufacturing and improved environmental profiles throughout the lifetime of their products.

Customers indicated a 7 percent increase in green job creation from the design and manufacturing of products with environmental benefits. Overall 28 percent said their business saw an increase in new green jobs over last year. And two-thirds believe that environmental benefits in products will continue to have a positive impact on job creation over the next five years Last year, DuPont generated revenues of $1.6 billion from products that help its customers and their consumers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Much of the increase came from revenue growth in key areas like photovoltaics and from engineering polymers used in light-weighting of vehicles. DuPont estimates that these products have reduced greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain by more than 6.5 million metric tons between 2007 and 2010.

Since 1990, DuPont’s own energy reduction has declined 6 percent resulting in a $6 billion savings in energy purchases and enabled the company to exceed its 2010 goal to hold total energy use flat. The new goal for 2020 is to reduce non-renewable energy use by 10 percent per dollar of price adjusted revenue by 2020. DuPont is to be applauded. This shows what can be done when the mission changes to meet the demands of 'the new world' in which we all live.