Bayer announced on Sept. 25 that has been included in the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index, the first international climate protection index, with the classification "Best in Class." This year, Bayer received this commendation as the only German-based company in the chemical sector. This was announced by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) investor group in New York.
"We are further strengthening our efforts in this area with the recently launched Bayer Climate Program, since climate protection is a central component of our strategy to operate successfully and sustainably and to act in a socially responsible way," says Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, who is responsible for innovation, technology and the environment on the Bayer AG Board of Management.
Bayer is looking to use a new testing system to further conserve natural resources and continue cutting emissions in its own production operations as part of a group-wide, long-term climate program. A further focus of the program lies in realizing innovative concepts for environmentally friendly office and industrial buildings. In addition, Bayer is working on developing plants that also produce sufficient yields in dry or hot conditions -- conditions that could become more pronounced as a result of climate change
Bayer products will also be used increasingly to create plants that will serve as the basis for biofuels.
A further strategic focus is the reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse emissions, i.e. those created by suppliers during energy generation.
Each year since 2004, the CDP has included those FT500 companies in the Climate Disclosure Leadership Index that significantly reduce greenhouse gases and implement strategies for dealing with climate change and provide information on these. This year, there are 68 such companies. Institutional investors involved in the initiative base their investment decisions on the composition of the index as well as other financial criteria. According to CDP, over 300 international financial service providers with a combined $41 trillion of assets under management have come together in this initiative.
