Bayer: Innovation key to sustainability

MANILA, Philippines - The quest for sustainability is already starting to transform the business landscape, forcing companies to change the way they think amid  challenges facing the global community like climate change, resource scarcity, pollution, population growth and inequality. 

Bayer, one of the world’s leading players in healthcare, crop science and high-tech materials, believes innovation is the key to sustainability to safeguard not only the company’s future but that of the world’s entire population.

During this year’s Bayer Young Environmental Envoy program (BYEE), Patrick Thomas, chairman of the board of management of  Bayer MaterialScience, says innovation opens up excellent opportunities and ensures sustainable lifestyle to more of the world’s inhabitants while also protecting the environment.

Bayer sees innovation as a way of increasing its competitive advantage and building a compelling and distinctive value proposition, Thomas says.

“Science For A Better Life” is  the promise Bayer has given to all its stakeholders.

 “To us, innovation means always generating value for our customers and the society as a whole.  Our products improve the quality of people’s lives,” Thomas says.

In the past 149 years, Bayer has been at the forefront of innovation, producing numerous scientific breakthroughs.  It continues to build on this foundation with some three billion euros allotted for research and development this year, its largest ever budget in Germany.

The Bayer Group employs nearly 13,000 research scientists worldwide, whose work resulted in more than 600 patent applications last year.

Bayer helps patients around the world by preventing, alleviating and curing diseases as well as improving diagnosis.  It also ensures a sufficient supply of high-quality food, feed and fiber.

Aside from this, Bayer makes significant contributions in the fields of energy and resource efficiency, mobility and home living.

The Asia-Pacific region, with its explosive growth, is one of Bayer’s major markets. In 2011, the Asia-Pacific group registered total sales of 7.8 billion euro, accounting for 21.5 percent of Bayer’s global sales, making it the third largest market for Bayer after Europe and North America. At end-December last year, the company employed about 26,000 employees in the region.

Bayer believes  the younger generation plays a critical role in ensuring sustainable development in our planet. 

To sensitize young people around the world to the importance of environmental protection, Bayer in 2004 entered into a partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).  The two entities have since been organizing joint projects across the globe for young people and children on all continents with the aim of fostering their commitment to the environment.

So far, more than two million young people have participated in these projects.

Under this program, selected students go to Germany on a weeklong study tour to experience how environmental protection is practiced by people, government and industry in several countries.

The young environmental envoys are chosen for their outstanding commitment to the environment in their home countries. 

Bayer invests 1.2 million euro a year and additional non-cash benefits for this endeavor. 

Around 48 delegates from 19 countries, including four from the Philippines, attended this year’s BYEE program.

 “Through the BYEE, we have created an international network where people can exchange ideas,” says Thomas.

UNEP director for communications Nick Nuttall, emphasized the role of the young generation in the transition to a green economy.

“Young people will be the engine and also the catalyst powering a transition to a 21st century low carbon, resource efficient green economy — it is the responsibility of the current generation of government and business leaders to equip young people with the education, skills and opportunities needed to play this transformational role.”

Nuttall underscores the importance for society to be open to new ideas, saying the public must be ready to take risks and jump at opportunities.

Environmental protection is  a task that requires everyone’s commitment – politicians, schools, communities and businesses, says UNEP public information officer Bryan Coll.

“ We have to take responsibility for a better future now. By working together, hopefully  we will make a difference,” Coll says.