Bayer
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Update August 2021: If limited evidence had been collected either on a company's direct policy engagement (Organization Score) or industry association links (Relationship Score) this is signified with an ‘n/a’ (not available). If limited evidence has been collected in both areas, the Total Score is also given as n/a. Full details and links back to any primary evidence that has been collected can still be located on the company’s profile.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
Updated terminology, February 2021
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
- Details of Organization Score
-
What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
-
What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
|
QUERIES
|
DATA SOURCES | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
|
|
Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
1
|
2
|
NA | NS |
-2
|
1
|
NS |
|
Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action
Is the organization supporting the science-based response to climate change as set out by the IPCC? (the IPCC) |
1
|
1
|
NA |
2
|
2
|
0
|
NS |
|
Supporting the Need for Regulations
To what extent does the organization express the need for regulatory intervention to resolve the climate crisis? |
0
|
0
|
NS |
-1
|
-1
|
-1
|
NS |
|
Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
1
|
2
|
NS | NS | NS |
1
|
NS |
|
Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation transparent about its positions on climate change legislation/policy and its activities to influence it? |
0
|
NA |
-2
|
NA | NA | NA | NS |
|
Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
NS |
-1
|
NS | NS |
1
|
-1
|
NS |
|
Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
NS |
-1
|
2
|
NS |
1
|
0
|
NS |
|
Energy and Resource Efficiency
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy efficiency policy, standards, and targets |
NS |
-1
|
1
|
-2
|
-1
|
NS | NS |
|
Renewable Energy
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy legislation, targets, subsidies, and other policy |
NS |
-1
|
1
|
-2
|
-2
|
-1
|
NS |
|
Energy Transition & Zero Carbon Technologies
Is the organization supporting an IPCC-aligned transition of the economy away from carbon-emitting technologies, including supporting relevant policy and legislative measures to enable this transition? |
1
|
1
|
1
|
NS |
0
|
-2
|
NS |
|
GHG Emission Regulation
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Standards, targets, and other regulatory measures directly targeting Greenhouse Gas emissions |
1
|
2
|
2
|
-1
|
2
|
-2
|
NS |
|
Disclosure on Relationships
Is the organization transparent about its involvement with industry associations that are influencing climate policy, including the extent to which it is aligned with these groups on climate? |
-1
|
NS |
1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS |
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive at Bayer is Chair of Corporate Law Working Group and another is chair of the Working group on working materials
Dr. Stephan Semrau and Dr. Stefan Engel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is an indirect member of BDI through VCI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Major subsidiaries of Bayer are indirect members of BDI via VDI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive at Bayer is Chair of Corporate Law Working Group and another is chair of the Working group on working materials
Dr. Stephan Semrau and Dr. Stefan Engel
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is an indirect member of BDI through VCI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Major subsidiaries of Bayer are indirect members of BDI via VDI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of US-Pakistan Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
member of Brazil-US Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Exec. was on the board of directors of the Brazil-US Council, which operates under the the US Chamber of Commerce
Brett Begemann
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is a member of the U.S-UK Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Bayer is on the board of directors of USCC
Raymond Kerins Jr.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of US-Pakistan Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
member of Brazil-US Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Exec. was on the board of directors of the Brazil-US Council, which operates under the the US Chamber of Commerce
Brett Begemann
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is a member of the U.S-UK Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Bayer is on the board of directors of USCC
Raymond Kerins Jr.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior vice-president of Bayer is on the ACC's board of directors
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is a member of ACC
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior vice-president of Bayer is on the ACC's board of directors
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is a member of ACC
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is a member of the ICCA
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Bayer is a member of the board of directors of ICCA
Wolfgang Plischke
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer is a member of the ICCA
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of Bayer is a member of the board of directors of ICCA
Wolfgang Plischke
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of Bayer France is on the board of France Chimie which is a member of MEDEF
Benoît Rabilloud
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer has indirect relationship with MEDEF through the UIC
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of Bayer France is on the board of France Chimie which is a member of MEDEF
Benoît Rabilloud
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer has indirect relationship with MEDEF through the UIC
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Bayer is no longer Regional Chair of CBI
Ute Bockstegers
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer plc is a direct member of CBI and is on the South East Council and the Economic Growth Board
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Bayer is a Regional Chair of CBI
Ute Bockstegers
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Bayer is no longer Regional Chair of CBI
Ute Bockstegers
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Bayer plc is a direct member of CBI and is on the South East Council and the Economic Growth Board
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive of Bayer is a Regional Chair of CBI
Ute Bockstegers
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Climate Lobbying Overview: Bayer appears to be broadly engaged in negative lobbying on climate change policy, although with limited engagement with key policies. Bayer has communicated more positive top-line positions on climate action and policy in recent years, but appears to have retained some negative positions on policy streams in Europe, emphasizing concerns around costs and appearing skeptical of unilateral action in Europe. The company appears to have become less outwardly oppositional since 2015, with public engagement on these policy streams broadly reduced.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: Bayer seems to be supportive of top line emissions reductions. The president of Bayer Crop Science, Liam Condon, signed a joint statement in 2020 advocating for a Green Deal in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and signalling support for climate neutrality by 2050 in Europe. In 2020 in an interview at Davos, the CEO of Bayer, Werner Baumann, appeared to state support for a regulatory framework to drive the implementation of technological solutions to climate change, but seemed to be unsupportive of unilateral action in Europe and also advocated for technologically agnostic policies.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Bayer appears to have limited interaction with specific policy streams. In 2020, a Mr Condon appeared to support a high price on carbon in a Finanznachrichten article, but the company does not seem to have taken a position on emissions trading schemes in recent years. The board member also suggested in the article that Bayer does not oppose a CO2 tax on fuels in Germany. Bayer’s CEO, Mr. Baumann, stated in an interview at Davos 2020 that a carbon border adjustment mechanism is not supported by the company as it is “the opposite from what we are needing in a multilateral world”. The news organization Finanznachrichten in 2020 reported that Bayer supports the EU’s increased Climate Target of 55% emissions reductions by 2030.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Bayer appears to support the energy transition. In the company’s CDP’s 2020 disclosure, it advocated for a decrease in fossil fuel energy production and an increased share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix. However, in 2019 on the corporate website the company appeared to stress concerns around the costs of the energy transition, as well as the impacts on competitiveness and the security of the energy supply.
Industry Association Governance: Bayer has not publicly disclosed a comprehensive list of the industry associations of which it is a member, only disclosing a limited number of industry associations in its 2019 Sustainability Report. This disclosure does not describe the positions of the associations in relation to climate policy, nor how the company is attempting to influence these positions. The company has not published a review of potential misalignment on climate policy with trade associations of which it is a member. Bayer holds membership to several organizations which are lobbying negatively on climate change such as the National Association of Manufacturers and BusinessEurope, and has influential positions on the board in associations such as the Verband der Chemischen Industrie and the American Chemistry Council.
However, the company maintains a number of strong relationships with trade associations actively lobbying against ambitious climate policy. In Europe, Bayer's CEO is a vice president of the VCI and the company is a member of CEFIC and is on BusinessEurope’s corporate advisory group. In the US, a Bayer senior executive holds a position on the US Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, likewise a Bayer senior executive is also on the board of The American Chemistry Council.