By SkySite Property staff

Bayer’s jumping on the green bus with its new climate program—joining other retailers, manufacturers and businesses committed to making an effort to minimize their impact on the environment.

The pharmaceuticals company, known for its brand-name aspirin, vows to keep carbon dioxide emissions at present or lower levels, despite an increase in production. The company reduced its emissions by 37 percent from 1990 to 2007.

“Our goal is to continue growing without placing an additional burden on the global climate,” Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, member of Bayer’s management board, said in a news conference.

Industrial facilities will be assessed under the company’s new initiative, Bayer Climate Check, by 2010 to reduce production emissions.

A new building in India was designed with Bayer’s “EcoCommercial Building” concept, which aims to create zero-emissions structures. The building uses 70 percent less electricity than similar facilities.

The company also will look at vegetation that can effectively make energy. Jatropha, a plant native to Central America, can grow on barren land, is resistant to drought and its seeds, which contain 30 percent oil, can be used to produce biodiesel.

Scientists will be motivated to research ways to protect the environment by the Bayer Climate Award—the first international climate award for scientists—with € 50,000 ($75,000 USD) in prize money.