Bayer Reports Emissions Reductions Despite Higher Production Volumes

GreenBiz

LEVERKUSEN, Germany, July 13, 2006 - Despite an increase in production, the Bayer Group cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7% in 2005, according to the company's newly published Sustainable Development Report.

In the report, Bayer discloses information on its 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.

"For Bayer, success is not something that can be measured solely in statistics and growth rates. We want to bring commercial efficiency, ecology and social commitment into harmony with each other," says Werner Wenning, Chairman of Bayer's Board of Management. "To do this, we want to acquire a leading technological and economic position in our industry, and, at the same time, set standards in environmental protection and social commitment. The new Sustainable Development Report documents the commitment of the Group to respect the needs of its employees and society, and to constantly strive to protect the environment and conserve natural resources."

In 2005, the volume of products sold by Bayer increased by 9%. In spite of this, the direct emission of greenhouse gases was cut by 7% and the company's energy use by 10% compared with 2004 as a result of technical improvements and structural changes. The wastewater loads also fell -- significantly in the case of nitrogen, organic compounds, heavy metals and inorganic salts.

By focusing its environmental activities on climate protection Bayer has tackled one of the most pressing global challenges today. Across the Group Bayer has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% since 1990. "As a result, we have not only achieved our goal of halving climate-related emissions between 1990 and 2010, we have also met the exacting demands of the Kyoto Protocol long before the deadline," says Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Bayer Board of Management responsible for Innovation, Technology and Environment.

At present, Bayer supports around sustainability 300 projects throughout the world, with the emphasis on education and research, environmental protection, health and social care, sports and culture. In 2005, the company spent around 50 million Euro on activities connected with corporate social responsibility. Two of the key projects are Bayer's global partnership with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) in the area of young people and the environment and a scientific cooperation with National Geographic Germany on the global conservation of drinking water.

The data for the report were collected at all Bayer's sites throughout the world -- not only at the production facilities, but also in warehouses, research laboratories and offices. The procedures used for the purpose of collecting, compiling and validating the data were reviewed and certified by the Deloitte auditing company.

In compiling and presenting its sustainability data, Bayer follows the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), a partner organization of the United Nations set up to compile internationally accepted guidelines for sustainable development reporting.