Eastman Chemical Company joins WBCSD

Eastman Chemical Company has joined The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). The company will be closely involved with the WBCSD’s new Chemical Sector, “Reaching Full Potential” project.

Eastman produces a broad range of advanced materials, additives and functional products, specialty chemicals, and fibers, and serves customers in approximately 100 countries.

“I am thrilled that we can launch our new project with one of the global leaders in the chemicals sector,” said
Peter Bakker, president of WBCSD. “Having Eastman on board will greatly benefit and enrich the work we do. Their sustainability program is robust and extensive, taking in the three pillars of sustainability.”

“Eastman’s growth depends on integrating sustainability across everything we do, from product development and process improvement, to strategic acquisitions and our continued stewardship of the earth’s valuable resources,” said Jim Rogers, Eastman’s chairman and CEO. “Through WBCSD membership, we will be collaborating with other leading corporations to advance sustainability across our value chains and the world.”

Eastman will be represented at the WBCSD by its senior vice president and chief regional and sustainability officer, Godefroy Motte. The WBCSD liaison delegate is Anne Kilgore, director of sustainability.

“We are proud to be joining WBCSD, the leading organization for advocating corporate sustainability,” said Motte. “Our vision at Eastman is to be recognized for a deep rooted commitment to sustainability and our collaboration with WBCSD will meaningfully enhance that commitment. We look forward to contributing our thinking and ideas, while learning from others through the partnership.”

One of its first areas of focus as a WBCSD member is the Chemical Sector project’s Avoided Emissions work, which Eastman has joined. WBCSD, in conjunction with the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), will develop case studies applying best-practices to account for and report on emissions avoided through the use of chemical products. For the chemical industry, this will be an important demonstration of the positive contribution of its solutions to solving the climate change challenge.