| ECOLOGY |
BASF makes environmental pledge BASF is setting long-term environmental and safety goals for the first time. By 2012, the German chemicals giant aims to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 10% per metric ton of sales and to cut air pollutants by 40% from its worldwide chemicals business, compared with 2002. The company also intends to reduce emissions of both organic substances and nitrogen into water by 60% and heavy-metal emissions by 30%. In its newly published environment, health, and safety report, the company also says it plans to significantly improve its safety record by 2012, setting goals of 80% fewer lost-time accidents compared with 2002 and 70% fewer transportation accidents compared with 2003. Moreover, by 2008, the company intends to extend its data collection to include "all relevant information" on chemicals handled in volumes of more than 1 metric ton per year. According to Walter Seufert, president of BASF's environment, safety, and energy competence center, the firm has already collected, under a voluntary agreement with the German Chemical Industry Association, all relevant information for the 2,600 substances it handles in such volumes in Europe. "This is equivalent to approximately 90% of all substances that we handle worldwide," he says. "In five years, we will have done the same for the remaining 10%." Company executives point out, however, that the information compiled under these voluntary agreements is not the same as would be required under the European Union's draft proposals. They stress the need for voluntary industry initiatives rather than "more laws and bureaucracy." |
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