A Letter From Alexa Dembek

Today, we are navigating through a time of unprecedented change and volatility. Each of our daily lives has been profoundly impacted, yet we are reminded how deeply connected we are to one another, and how our actions, large and small, affect our neighbors around the corner and around the world.   

Gaining perspective on how to create a positive impact requires two seemingly opposing skills – holding fast to a vision for the future, while being flexible enough to adapt to events as they unfold. At DuPont, our mission – to empower the world with the essential innovations to thrive – remains intact. Our global team of scientists, engineers and business leaders hold this mission closely as we innovate new solutions to global challenges, adapting our approach to best meet the urgency of our times and the changing needs of our customers and vulnerable populations around the world. 

At the end of 2019, we announced our 2030 Sustainability Goals-- nine ambitious, long-term goals developed to amplify our company’s capabilities in areas that are critically important to our stakeholders and society. Our 2030 goals draw inspiration from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs provide a global consensus that helps to catalyze collaboration, new partnerships and shared commitments between all actors, both public and private. 

For instance, we are advancing water security, availability and quality worldwide through our filtration and purification technology. Most recently, DuPont Water Solutions began a partnership with charity:water to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities through the deployment of hand-washing stations, hygiene and sanitation training and community health messaging.

Our healthcare innovations — which are enabling advances in biopharmaceuticals, wound care, drug delivery, device fabrication, and other areas — will improve health outcomes for millions of people worldwide, in the same way that our DuPont™ Tyvek® and Nomex® materials protect healthcare workers and first responders as they risk their own safety to protect communities and families around the world.

Similarly, our investments in the AHEAD™ automotive electrification program will transform the automobile industry, increasing energy efficiency, vehicle connectivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The AHEAD program benefits from our work advancing 5G high speed connectivity, which will enable more connected, sustainable communities.

In this, our first sustainability report, we introduce our roadmap to meet our goals and address our progress thus far. You’ll read about how we manage our talented employee base, our operations and our innovation portfolios — where we are driving change in our businesses and where we have opportunities to improve – with the help of partners like many of you. 

Sincerely,

Alexa Dembek

Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer