Leverkusen, September 13, 2012 – Bayer has once again been included in both of the important Carbon Leadership indices of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Having achieved optimal ratings for performance and transparency, the Group re-affirmed its status as one of the world's leading companies in its sector in terms of climate strategy.
Paul Simpson, chief executive officer of CDP, commented: “Companies in the Carbon Performance Leadership Index are demonstrating a clear commitment to manage their greenhouse gas emissions and take action on climate change. Organizations which work to reduce their emissions and integrate climate change issues into their business strategies have the potential for cost savings, revenue generating opportunities and, ultimately, a more resilient future.”
“The fact that CDP has once again awarded us top ratings in both important climate indices is proof of the success of our efforts and strategy in the area of climate issues,” said Prof. Wolfgang Plischke, the member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG responsible for Innovation, Technology and Sustainability. “We put all our weight behind innovations that are of long-term benefit to society, in line with our mission 'Science For a Better Life'.” Plischke also said that Bayer did not only want to make its production operations even more energy-efficient, it was also focusing increasingly on resource-friendly products and solutions for adapting to the effects of climate change. The company also valued comprehensive and transparent reporting, he said.
Carbon Leadership indices: Ranking by performance and transparency
Bayer was one of 33 companies worldwide to be included in the Carbon Performance Leadership Index. This is the third consecutive time that Bayer has been accepted into the Performance Index, which was established in 2010. Instead of absolute points, companies are assigned to performance bands, with Bayer being awarded the highest rating of A.
The company continues to pursue its target of reducing specific CO2 emissions by 35 percent by 2020 compared with 2005. By the end of 2011, it had already achieved a reduction of 21 percent.
Second, it is pressing on with the development and marketing of resource-friendly products. Examples include raw materials for building and refrigerator insulation, lightweight plastics for cars and high-quality materials for wind turbine rotor blades. The company's high-quality materials division already generates sales of EUR 2.4 billion per year from resource-friendly products, comprising around 20 percent of its total annual sales.
Bayer is also working on solutions for adaptations made necessary by the consequences of climate change. One example is the development of stress-resistant plants, which give reliable yields even in the most extreme weather conditions.
Bayer repeated its success from the previous year in being the best company in its sector in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index. This lists the 51 companies with the highest levels of transparency in climate reporting. With a score of 100 out of 100, the Group achieved the perfect result and its best so far. Alongside one other company, Bayer lies in first place across all industries. Bayer is the only chemical and pharmaceutical company that has been included in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index for eight consecutive years.
For both Carbon Leadership indices, the 500 biggest publicly traded companies in the world (FTSE Global 500 Index) are evaluated by corporate auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of index organizer CDP. The companies' reports, which form the basis of the study, are published on the Internet. Only 16 companies are included in both indices.
The Carbon Leadership indices are designed to guide investors, who explicitly place importance on companies having a sustainable climate strategy, in their investment decisions. CDP, which is based in London, represents a group that now comprises 655 institutional investors with combined assets under management of US$78 trillion, according to their own figures.
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Further information on the Carbon Leadership indices can be found at: www.cdproject.net
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Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. 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 Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
