Bayer a leader in climate protection

Top positions in the Carbon Leadership Indices:

Recognition of achievements and transparency in climate protection / Bayer Management Board member Dr. Plischke: Confirmation of the company’s successful climate strategy


New York / Leverkusen, – Bayer has confirmed its leading position in climate protection: the company has once again been included in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI) – as the best company in its sector. This was announced in New York by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) investor group. As a result, Bayer is the only European chemical and pharmaceutical company to be included for the sixth consecutive year in the world’s first global climate index. Listed in the CDLI are the 51 of the world’s 500 biggest publicly traded companies (Global 500 Index) that display the greatest transparency in reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and climate strategy. Bayer is also included in the newly established Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) and has been awarded the “A” rating. The CPLI evaluates the companies’ specific measures and achievements in climate protection and dealing with the impact of climate change. Currently, 48 companies from the Global 500 Index are listed in the CPLI.

Both the CDLI and the CPLI were compiled following detailed research and analysis of climate-relevant corporate data by corporate auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of the CDP. This database is the largest of its kind in the world. The companies’ reports are published on the Internet.

The CDP is an initiative that now includes 534 institutional investors, with combined assets under management of US$64 trillion. These investors explicitly expect companies to make available comprehensive climate-relevant information so that they can base their investment decisions on what contributions the companies make to climate protection and how they are addressing the challenges posed by climate change. In this connection, the investors are interested not just in the strategic alignment of the business toward new needs, but also the management of the business risks that can be linked with climate change. The CDLI and CPLI offer these investors such orientation for their investment decisions. The growing number of investors represented by the CDP – in 2005 the Group was comprised of only 155 institutions with combined assets under management of US$19 trillion – reflects the increasing importance of so-called sustainable investment.

“The CDLI recognizes companies that demonstrate good internal data management practices for understanding greenhouse gas emissions, including energy use. Companies that make this index have also demonstrated clear consideration of how climate change is impacting and will impact their business. As companies’ understanding of climate change issues grows, they are better placed to take positive action to manage and mitigate its risks,” comments Paul Dickinson, who as head of the CDP is responsible for the organization of both indices. “Companies in the new CPLI Index are demonstrating leadership in their commitment to manage greenhouse gas emissions. Companies which manage and reduce their emissions, maximize business resilience and capitalize on opportunities will be the best placed to succeed as we move towards a low carbon economy.”

“We are delighted by this renewed listing in the CDLI and the listing in the new CPLI, both of which we regard as a confirmation of the success of our climate strategy,” says Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, who is the member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG responsible for Innovation, Technology and Environment. “At the same time, it reinforces our commitment to resolutely press ahead with our efforts with the dual objective of reducing CO2 emissions in our production facilities and providing our customers with climate-friendly products and solutions. In both areas we focus specifically on innovation as the driver of sustainability.”

CO2 reduction measures and solutions for dealing with the impact of climate change

The company sees further improvements in energy efficiency as a particularly important lever for reducing its own CO2 emissions. For that reason, within the context of its climate program, the company has introduced the Bayer Climate Check, a novel tool for evaluating its global production facilities that includes the upstream processes, as well as the STRUCTese® program for systematic energy management. With the help of these tools, the company aims to increase energy efficiency in its production by 10 percent between 2008 and 2013. This corresponds to a reduction of 350,000 metric tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the company aims to cut emissions by an additional 250,000 metric tons per year by 2020 through a new technology for chlorine production. Through the marketing of this technology, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by an even more substantial five million metric tons per year.

Energy efficient buildings are another focus of the climate program. At the end of 2007 Bayer launched its EcoCommercial Building initiative, working together with important companies from the construction industry to develop and implement climate-friendly concepts for commercial and office buildings. Bayer’s contribution to the partnership network comprises its know-how and products in the area of high-tech materials for applications such as building insulation.

The company is also carrying out research to improve stress resistance in plants, a research activity that is playing an increasingly important role due to climate change. The aim is to increase plants’ resilience to heat or drought conditions, for example.

In the field of health care too, Bayer is committed to finding solutions to counter the effects of climate change. The company is working together with partners, for example, to develop new active substances to fight tropical diseases such as malaria, which could spread as a result of climate change.