August 25, 2006—Despite an increase in production, the Bayer Group reduced greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent and achieved further environmental improvements in 2005, according to Bayer’s newly published Sustainable Development Report. The data for the report were collected at all Bayer’s sites throughout the world—production facilities, warehouses, research laboratories, and offices.
The report discloses information on the company’s performance in the fields of environmental protection, safety and health, its sustainability management system and sustainability objectives, recent initiatives for its employees, and social responsibility projects. The validity of the data was monitored and certified by independent auditors.
In 2005, the volume of products sold by Bayer increased by nine percent, according to the report. In spite of this, the direct emission of greenhouse gases was cut by seven percent and the company’s energy use by 10 percent compared with 2004 as a result of technical improvements and structural changes. The wastewater loads also fell, with significant drops reported in nitrogen, organic compounds, heavy metals, and inorganic salts.
Across the Group, Bayer has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent since 1990, according to the report. The company says it has achieved its goal of halving climate-related emissions between 1990 and 2010, and has already met the demands of the Kyoto Protocol before the deadline.
Bayer was also successful in its continuing endeavors to improve safety at work–the accident rate was kept at 2.7 the same low level as the previous year. In addition, Bayer has reportedly set targets for a broad social commitment, currently supporting around 300 projects around the world.
The Bayer Sustainable Development Report 2005 is available online.
