Bayer has recently honored environmental efforts of students and journalists with Young Environmental Awards.

 

The Young Environmental Awards ceremony was held at Beijing Forestry University

 

Jrgen Dahmer, president of the Bayer Group Greater China, Liu Youbin, vice-director of the Environmental Education and Promotion Department of the State Environmental Protection Administration, Liu Guozheng, vice-president of the Asia-Pacific Forum of Environmental Journalists and China Forum of Environmental Journalists, as well as Professor Yin Weilun, president of Beijing Forestry University and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences took part in the award-granting ceremony.

 

It is the fourth time that Bayer, in conjunction with the two national institutions, has honored students and young journalists with Bayer Environmental Awards for their outstanding achievements in environmental protection.

 

Dahmer explained the contributions the chemical manufacturing industry could make to help achieve sustainable development in China.

 

He underscored the importance of young people being engaged in environmental protection: "I am happy to see so many young faces engaged in environmental protection. Young people acting as environmental envoys can bring about change in the behavior of others. So can the media, through well-researched, informed writing on environmental problems. These groups are important in effecting changes in public behavior and our awards recognize and honor this effort."

 

This year, some 20 students from Beijing, Shanghai, Shandong Province and Nanjing have been selected as Bayer Young Environmental Envoys.

 

In July this year, they took part in an Eco Camp in Shandong, learning about responsible agriculture, sustainable chemical manufacturing and the ecological balance in Shandong Province.

 

On November 5, four selected students made their way to Bayer Headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany, for a study trip.

 

They will learn what the chemical manufacturing industry can do to improve the environment, and how the industry, authorities and the public can work hand-in-hand towards environmental success.

 

Two of this year's Environmental Media award winners accompanied the group to gain insight into industrial environmental protection.

 

In addition to Bayer's open dialogue regarding environmental protection, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai's Tongji University on the establishment of a Chair for Sustainable Development.

 

Bayer will support this initiative with funding and non-cash contributions totaling US$1 million for an initial period of five years.

 

In the context of their collaboration, Bayer and Tongji University plan to supplement the professorship with scholarships and individual projects.

 

Bayer will contribute funding for these initiatives and will make available its technological and scientific expertise.

 

The partnership with Tongji University is part of Bayer's global social commitment, which currently comprises some 300 projects in the areas of education and research, environmental protection, basic social needs, and culture and sports.

 

In 2005, the company provided funding of around 50 million euros (US$63.5 million) for these activities.

 

Bayer (China) Ltd is a subsidiary of the Germany-based Bayer Group.

 

The company is active in production, marketing and sales, as well as research and development in China.

 

Bayer is represented with its entire product portfolio in the areas of healthcare, nutrition, and high-tech materials, supplied by three subgroups: Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience.

 

China is Bayer's second largest single market in Asia, with sales of around 1.26 billion euros (US$1.59 billion) in 2005, and the company currently employs some 4,900 people in China. Moreover, the Chinese mainland is also one of Bayer's main centers of global investment.

 

(China Daily November 20, 2006)