|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
Dr.
Wolfgang Große Entrup:
Our objectives remain as ambitious as ever
 |
|
Dr. Wolfgang Große Entrup,
Head of Governmental and Product Affairs at
Bayer AG |
|
|
|
Global competition, changing customer expectations, the presence
of many very different stakeholders (Glossary») – these are just a
few characteristics of a world that is changing at an ever faster
rate. We firmly believe that we can only overcome these challenges
if we adhere to the principles of sustainability in all three
dimensions in our everyday work. This is the only way in which
we can achieve a sustainable increase in the value of our company.
But to do this we need a foundation on which to build –
political and regulatory parameters that must be reliable and
fair if we are to remain competitive.
Dialog with policymakers and society
This is why we actively seek dialog with policymakers and society,
enabling us to input our expertise and make our contribution
to legislation that will have an impact on our operations. Current
examples include the European Chemicals Policy, consumer protection,
the Integrated Product Policy and climate policy. This commitment
is something we view as a major part of our social responsibility,
and just as important as dialog with our stakeholders on our
own actions. This is why, for more than a decade now, we have
been recording and publishing our key worldwide data in the
fields of health, safety and environmental protection. Nowadays,
this activity has become second nature to us throughout the
Group as a whole.
During the period under review, the Bayer Group has undergone
the furthest-reaching reorganization of its entire 140-year
history, a dynamic process which has not yet been concluded.
Divestments and site closures have resulted in the loss of more
than three dozen production bases while just as many have been
added in the form of acquisitions. Despite all of these changes,
however, our goal remains unchanged: In the future, as before,
we want to set benchmarks and to be one of the world’s
best companies in the areas of health, safety and environmental
protection.
Since the beginning of the decade, we have been continuously
improving and enhancing our data recording process, including
in the wake of the Group restructuring in the past year. We
have recognized that dialog with our stakeholders will be a
major factor in future when it comes to prioritizing our specific
sustainable development (Glossary») targets. This is why we are using key
performance indicators to provide a clear picture of our focus.
We will be setting ourselves quantitative targets in these areas,
which will be the subject of regular reviews, with progress
being communicated both internally and externally. In addition,
we have actively committed ourselves to the Global Reporting
Initiative (GRI) (Glossary»), and took part in corresponding activities
in 2003. Indeed, we already adhere to the GRI recommendations
as far as possible.
Acknowledgement of our policy
Bayer will continue in future to demonstrate its responsibility
to society and the environment, in keeping with its long tradition!
We will therefore again be asking independent third parties
to take a critical look at our data and to voice their opinions.
And as in past reports we will be publishing our objectives
and providing information on what we have achieved. This is
a policy that has not gone unnoticed. For the fifth time in
a row we were included in the renowned Dow Jones Sustainability
Group indices in 2003. This is a success story that will encourage
us to go on and achieve even greater things in future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
