Bayer says it is expanding its commitment to sustainability and the scope of its reporting on the subject. In a new Sustainable Development Report 2006 (PDF), Bayer records for the first time indirect greenhouse gas emissions as well as direct emissions.

The Group’s climate balance shows that the sum of specific direct and indirect emissions dropped by 2.6 percent in 2006 compared with the previous year.

Bayer says it has initiated a group-wide program to protect the climate: “The Bayer Climate Program aims to demonstrate how our company can make an even greater contribution to solving climate protection problems and dealing with the consequences of climate change,” says Bayer Management Board Chairman Werner Wenning. “We want to utilize our multifaceted expertise to develop innovative solutions in this area.”

The sum of absolute direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, the latter arising through energy generation by the company’s suppliers, has remained virtually constant over the last three years, according to the company. Bayer says it was able to maintain this level despite continual increases in production volume, which means that overall specific emissions fell.