Management of impacts and risks related to water scarcity resulting from water consumption
As part of our double materiality assessment, we have identified a potential negative impact in connection with water availability. In this regard, the reduction in water availability due to water withdrawal and consumption for our production processes can possibly lead to water scarcity, in particular in regions subject to water stress.
Policies related to water scarcity resulting from water consumption [E3-1]
We alleviate our negative impact on water resources by promoting, throughout our value chain, efficient water management based on our water strategy and the related risk mitigation measures.
Our water management strategy to manage and mitigate water stress
Conservation of natural resources is an integral part of our commitment to sustainable development. Our Water Position therefore shows how we conserve water resources and improve water usage efficiency both within and outside the company. Specifically, we want to improve water management in our own operations, involve our suppliers, develop innovative solutions for our customers and support municipal projects.
To minimize our impacts in our own operations, we strive to apply strict standards worldwide. This commitment encompasses compliance with all international and local laws and the continuous improvement of water reuse, water recycling and wastewater treatment. We monitor local water consumption of our sites as well as the volumes and quality of our emissions around the world and would thereby like to ensure that water bodies are not polluted or endangered through wastewater.
In line with our Water Position, we regularly collaborate with suppliers to improve water use in the value chain. We also continuously drive irrigation efficiency forward in every aspect of our seed production and focus on improving water usage efficiency in agricultural practices. We want to promote our positive impact on our downstream value chain and therefore cooperate with farmers and business partners to offer innovative solutions for water-resilient agriculture. We also support projects designed to give our employees and communities access to clean water and sanitary facilities. Our Water Position also addresses the avoidance and reduction of water pollution through initiatives such as the development of measures to recover contrast agents.
Our Water Position applies to all of our own sites worldwide, including some sites in regions affected by water scarcity. To lessen the potential impacts of water scarcity, we advocate good water management, especially where the availability of water is limited. To do so, we reflect the interests of our stakeholders, for example by cooperating with regulatory authorities, nongovernmental organizations, the scientific community and the public and private sector. This integrative approach is aimed at ensuring that different perspectives and concerns are accounted for in our decision-making process in accordance with our efforts to promote transparent reporting and responsible water management practices.
Responsibility for implementing the principles of our Water Position lies with the Chief Sustainability Officer, supported by the Public Affairs, Sustainability & Safety Enabling Function in cooperation with the responsible employees in the countries and divisions at all of our sites. The Bayer Water Position can be viewed on our website.
Water management through our health, safety and environmental protection requirements
Our Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) Management and HSE Key Requirements Policy helps to mitigate the potential negative impacts of water consumption on natural freshwater reserves, ensure responsible water management and reduce the risk of water stress. The policy therefore deals with the following elements in particular:
Environmental protection control standards: The policy requires that environmental protection standards be established and actions to protect natural freshwater reserves implemented. Examples include secondary retention systems for storage tanks, proper infrastructure maintenance and impermeable surfaces.
Retention and disposal: The policy states that pollutants should be prevented from entering natural water bodies, thus protecting freshwater resources. This is achieved by, for example, establishing an adequate retention capacity for abnormal effluents, liquid spills and potentially contaminated water.
Wastewater management: The documentation of all wastewater streams contributes to effective wastewater management and treatment, reduces the risk of water pollution and conserves freshwater resources.
For more on the Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) Management and HSE Key Requirements Policy, please see the section “Holistic policies for managing material sustainability matters [MDR-P]” in Chapter A 4.1 General Information on the Sustainability Statement.
Minimizing the risk of water contamination by ensuring process and plant safety
Our rules on process and plant safety are aimed at preventing hazardous releases and ensuring the safety of our plants, and thus the protection of the environment, including bodies of water adjacent to our sites. This supports responsible water management by reducing the risk of water contamination.
Thus, the conservation of natural freshwater reserves and the potential impacts of water consumption on local communities and ecosystems are taken into consideration, matching the interests of our stakeholders. For more information on our rules on process and plant safety, please see the section “Ensuring safety and environmental protection through process and plant safety” in Chapter A 4.2.3 Pollution.
Actions related to water scarcity resulting from water consumption [E3-2]
To meet the challenges of water scarcity as a result of high water consumption, we continuously assess and improve comprehensive water management systems for our own sites.
Establishment of a water management system for sites in water-scarce regions
To pursue the objectives of our water strategy, we are currently establishing water management systems at all relevant sites in regions affected by water scarcity. The establishment of water management systems at all relevant sites is scheduled for completion by 2030.
Relevant characteristics of water management are a balance between water consumption and availability, as well as the optimal conservation of water resources. Due to widely varying local situations, each water management system is designed individually on the basis of a detailed analysis that takes into account local circumstances and the relevant parameters of our water supply and disposal. We address identified risks with locally adapted countermeasures such as the establishment of alternative supply sources, the improvement of wastewater quality or wastewater recirculation. These activities are accompanied by management measures such as regular employee training in water management and participation in roundtables with regulatory authorities and residents. The scope of this measure encompasses our global activities and all departments within the organization.
Management of impacts and opportunities related to water availability through product and service innovations
Alongside our potential negative impact on water availability, we have also identified a positive impact related to our products and services in connection with more efficient water management. Our relevant product innovations include the development of more resilient seeds and varieties (e.g. early varieties, stress tolerance, improved resilience to flooding). Examples include Seminis™ Aryaman tomatoes, Deltapine™ cotton varieties and Arize™ hybrid rice. At the same time, we also promote digital enablement and good agronomic practices, as well as the use of partnerships, to advance water-efficient agriculture at scale.
Policies related to water availability through product and service innovations [E3-1]
As an innovation-driven company, we continuously strive to offer solutions, promote practices and foster partnerships that contribute to the resilience of agricultural systems. Because innovation activities are fundamentally integrated into our core strategy, we believe that there is no need to adopt separate policies dedicated specifically to driving forward water-related product and service innovations.
Actions related to water availability through product and service innovations [E3-2]
We continuously leverage our innovation potential to develop scientific solutions, promote sustainable farming practices and enter into partnerships to strengthen water resilience in agriculture, among other goals.
Promoting water-efficient cultivation systems
We promote the use of direct seeded rice (DSR) in agriculture. DSR is one of the most promising cultivation methods for enabling water resilience in rice production, which is traditionally very water-intensive. This technologically driven and less resource-intensive cultivation system has the potential to reduce water use in rice production by up to 40% and the associated greenhouse gas emissions by up to 45%. The adoption of DSR can also reduce the demand for manual labor by up to 50% and thus help alleviate the labor shortage in rural areas.
Our efforts to drive innovation for water resilience in agriculture are integrated into the global operations of our Crop Science Division. These are not one-off actions, but rather a process of continuous development.