Covestro signs cooperation agreement with World Organization for Sustainability Leadership
• Jointly promoting sustainability philosophy among the youth through the orator and illustrator contest
• New annual competition centered on climate change will be launched soon
Today, the World Organization for Sustainability Leadership (WOSL) and Covestro signed a strategic cooperation agreement during the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE). This announcing signals the imminent launch of 2023 Covestro Cup “I Speak, I Act, I Impact” China Student Orator and Illustrator Contest with the motif of “Climate Action”.
The strategic cooperation will focus on the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Covestro will further work with WOSL to help young people develop a sustainability mindset and become advocates and leaders for a sustainable future through the Orator and Illustrator Contest, part of the UN Junior Ambassadors for Sustainable Development and SE4All program (#SDGAction42242).
The first 2022 Covestro Cup “I speak, I act, I impact” China Student Orator and Illustrator Contest, hosted by the WOSL and organized by Wo Sou Education Science and Technology (Shanghai) in May, 2022, was concluded successfully. While the first competition highlighted the theme “Quality Education”, the 2023 competition will focus on “Climate Action”, aiming to encourage young people to fully unleash their creativity to imagine the future of sustainability. “Quality Education” and “Climate Action” are both part of the UN SDGs.
Dr. Paul C. Bogaardt, CEO of WOSL, said: “Our vision is one where humanity lives in harmony with our mother planet. We believe brilliant young minds are the key to achieving this sustainable future. These future leaders must be nurtured, cultivated and inspired to speak, act, and eventually impact this trajectory. In collaboration with Covestro, we look forward to fulfilling our mutual vision.”
Covestro has made sustainability its key strategic pillar and set a number of ambitious sustainability objectives. By 2025, Covestro aims to align 80 percent of its research and development expenditure towards meeting the UN SDGs. Additionally, the company aims for operational climate neutrality and net zero emissions by 2035.
“Covestro participated in the CIIE this year with the theme of ‘Together for a climate-neutral future.’ In addition to working together with our customers and value chain partners, our ‘circle of friends’ also includes organizations like WOSL and youth. Through this strategic cooperation, we expect to encourage young people to explore new solutions for climate change and other global issues, and inspire them to play an active role to jointly shape a sustainable future,” said Holly Lei, President of Covestro China. “We look forward to fulfilling our social responsibility through more programs like this as we help bring a profound and lasting experience for future leaders of sustainability.”
The 2023 Covestro Cup “I Speak, I Act, I Impact” China Student Orator and Illustrator Contest is open to students in two categories: Youth diplomats (first grade to eighth grade) and Junior diplomats (ninth grade to university undergraduates). The contest will feature both illustrations and speech competitions in English. To participate in the contest, please complete the registration process and upload your works through WOSL’s official WeChat account between January 31 and March 31, 2023 (further details will be announced later) to join in the global selection. The winners are expected to be announced on May 31, 2023.
About Covestro:
Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, telecommunications and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.
The company is geared completely to the circular economy. In addition, Covestro aims to achieve climate neutrality for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2035, and the Group’s Scope 3 emissions are also set to be climate neutral by 2050. Covestro generated sales of EUR 14.2 billion in fiscal year 2024. At the end of 2024, the company had 46 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 17,500 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.