DuPont leads U.S. companies in meeting the business challenges associated with climate change, according to a first-of-its-kind report issued today by Ceres, a national coalition of investors and environmental groups.  DuPont ranked second among global corporations, behind BP.

The Boston, Mass.-based organization cited DuPont's successful greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts, its strong focus on climate-related new product opportunities and its strong overall corporate governance in building sustainability goals into all of the company's operations.  The Ceres report is the first comprehensive assessment of how 100 leading global companies face business challenges relating to climate change.  It uses a "Climate Change Governance Checklist" to evaluate how 76 U.S. and 24 non-U.S. companies are addressing the issue through board oversight, management performance, public disclosure, emissions accounting and strategic planning.

"We are pleased with this recognition from Ceres, particularly for our employees who have committed to achieving our goals and create sustainable business opportunities," said DuPont Chairman & CEO Charles O. Holliday, Jr.  "We have taken a consistent position with regard to global warming and its potential for climate change.  We believe that the science is sufficiently compelling to take prudent action, and we have."

"DuPont is setting the governance standard that all companies should follow to meet the growing business challenges from climate change," said Mindy S. Lubber, president at Ceres.  "Through energy efficiency and forward-thinking product development, DuPont has positioned itself to face the risks and opportunities from the climate issue, including expanding greenhouse gas regulations and surging demand for climate-friendly technologies. DuPont's long-standing board and management commitment to incorporate sustainability goals and performance in the corporate culture is commendable."

DuPont has participated in the emerging voluntary and regulated markets for greenhouse gas emissions credit trading, such as the Chicago Climate Exchange, since their inception.  DuPont believes that an emissions credit trading system must provide credit for early actions, and must include the engagement of developing economies as well as all sectors of the economy to create a lasting solution.

The company has been viewed as a leader since the 1980s, when DuPont scientists led industry in the phaseout of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and development of alternative products.  In 2003, DuPont accepted the National Medal of Technology for its leadership role in the historic transition.

DuPont also was one of the first companies to set voluntary goals to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.  In 1994, the company set a goal to reduce these emissions by 40 percent by the year 2000. 

"We reached the 40 percent milestone in 2000, and revised the goal to achieve a 65 percent reduction globally by 2010," Holliday said.  "We exceeded the 65 percent goal in 2003, seven years ahead of schedule.  In working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we achieved real benefits, including more than $2 billion in avoided costs due to energy conservation activities."

DuPont has commercialized products to help others meet the climate challenge and the company continues to pursue new market opportunities. Examples include:

• DuPont™ Tyvek®  HomeWrap® provides energy-saving insulating properties.  Recent reports have calculated that buildings account for 42 percent of total energy use.  In just one year, Tyvek® will save 10 times the amount of energy needed to produce it.  By design, it helps reduce the amount of energy burned to heat and cool homes and commercial buildings;
• DuPont™ Solamet®, Tedlar® and Elvax® , essential materials for photovoltaic solar panels, enable businesses and consumers to convert sunlight directly into electricity;
• DuPont™ Suva®  refrigerants offer the industry's broadest range of sustainable and effective products for new and existing refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.  DuPont recently announced that it has identified next-generation refrigerants with even lower global warming potentials.
• DuPont™ Sorona® , the first bio-based material from DuPont and made in part from renewable resources like corn, a key ingredient is Bio-PDO™.  Making Bio-PDO™ from corn uses 40 percent less energy than would be needed to produce a petroleum-based equivalent.  A new plant constructed with joint venture partner Tate & Lyle, and scheduled to start up later this year, will save the equivalent of 10 million gallons of gasoline per year, or enough to fuel 22,000 cars annually.

"These are just some of the products and technologies that we are able to bring to market," Holliday said.  "They are profitable businesses for DuPont.  They offer valuable solutions to our customers.  And they help reduce environmental impact with regard to climate change.  We believe that societies around the world will expect this kind of comprehensive approach to doing business as the 21^st century progresses."

Ceres is a national coalition of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change.  Ceres directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), a group of more than 50 institutional investors in the United States and Europe that collectively manage nearly $3 trillion in assets.  For more information on Ceres and the report, visit http://www.ceres.org

DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.

3/21/06

For information on DuPont's efforts over the last 20 years to reduce global emissions, discover more environmentally preferred products and operations, and directly influence the global climate change discussion, visit:  www.dupont.com.

The DuPont Oval, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, and Tyvek® HomeWrap®, Suva®, Sorona® and Bio-PDO™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.