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Bayer is more committed to sustainability
On Tuesday, December 10, Bayer announced a package of measures and sustainability targets that are being pursued from 2020 onwards. The company has also set ambitious goals for 2030, in line with the sustainable goals from the United Nations and in the Paris Climate Agreement. "By making sustainability play an even greater role in our strategy and activities, we want to achieve long-term results and have a positive impact on society and the environment," said Werner Baumann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bayer AG.
We all face the unprecedented challenge of ensuring that the growing and aging world population can thrive, while using our natural resources in a more sustainable way. “The size of our company gives us the responsibility and the ability to act. That's why we're significantly strengthening efforts in the field of sustainability,” says Baumann. Bayer will monitor and report on the sustainability targets just as closely as the financial targets. The objectives are incorporated into the decision-making processes and management fees.
In addition, Bayer is establishing an independent Sustainability Council, which consists of external experts on sustainability. This Council will advise the Board of Directors and monitor and discuss the further development of the efforts in the field of sustainability. By strengthening our efforts, we aim to help more people thrive and utilize natural resources as efficiently as possible.
Helping hundreds of millions of people
By 2030, Bayer aims to support approximately 100 million smallholder farmers in low and medium income countries by providing them with access to innovations, knowledge and partnerships. Bayer's support will improve local food supplies and reduce poverty in these rural communities. Today there are about 550 million smallholder farmers worldwide. In developing countries they produce food for 80% of the population. However, because they do not get beyond subsistence farming, many farmers themselves suffer from starvation and malnutrition.
Bayer also aims to provide access to family planning to some 2030 million women in low- and medium-income countries by 100. The company wants to do this by providing financial support to aid programs and by making affordable modern contraceptives available. Since 2019, the company has already supplied contraceptives to approximately 40 million women in low- and medium-income countries. In addition, birth control is a crucial factor in improving women's health, economic status and rights. Today, more than 200 million women in low- and middle-income countries need but lack access to modern contraceptives.
In general, Bayer will seek to adjust its pricing in line with local purchasing power and provide more patients with access to programs to make Bayer products available and affordable. Bayer will also continue to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in the fight against neglected tropical diseases, including by donating various products and providing financial support.
In addition, Bayer aims to provide access to daily health for 100 million people in less developed areas. About half of the population currently has no access to essential health services, including self-help. By making solutions and health education more accessible, we can help prevent disease and provide care to communities where self-help may be the only option. Initially, Bayer will focus on women's health and better access to micronutrients for pregnant women and children to improve the availability and affordability of its trusted products and support initiatives.
Take drastic measures to protect our climate and environment
Bayer has been committed to protecting the environment for decades and will now step up its efforts to combat climate change and protect biodiversity. The company wants its activities to be climate neutral by 2030. To achieve that, Bayer will implement energy efficiency measures, switch to 100% renewable electricity and neutralize residual emissions from carbon capture that promotes biodiversity.
Bayer also joins the Science Based Targets Initiative and is already on the list of companies that are already taking measures. Launched by the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and World Wide Fund for Nature, this project sees more than 700 companies commit to taking far-reaching climate action and pursuing emission reduction targets. strive to keep the global temperature increase below 2°C. In this regard, Bayer aims to achieve absolute emissions reductions in every link of the chain by involving suppliers and customers, as well as in the logistics and packaging division of the company.
Bayer will also work with farmers to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture. Bayer aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of crops produced in major markets and limit the environmental impact of crop protection by 2030% for each market by 30. To achieve that, the company will help farmers adopt more sustainable techniques, such as less tillage to sequester the carbon in the soil, and accurately use crop protection products and fertilizers through product innovation and digital tools.
Contribute to Sustainable Development Goals
Bayer's commitment to sustainability aims to achieve results in line with the United Nations' goals. The United Nations has agreed 17 measures to build a better world for people and the planet by 2030. However, according to the UN, urgent progress is needed. "We only have 10 years left, so companies have to take responsibility and take measures," says Werner Baumann. "Bayer is one of the few companies that can contribute to the objectives and that is exactly what we will do."
In addition to the No Poverty (SDG 2) and Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) goals, Bayer's commitment will make a significant contribution to the Climate Action (SDG 13) and Protect Life on Land (SDG 15) goals. Women play an important role in small farms, in family planning and in the health of their families. By providing them with every opportunity to thrive, we can contribute to Gender Equality (SDG 5) and this will also bring significant socio-economic benefits to local communities and economies.
