Bayer finances sustainable development chair at Chinese university

German-based pharmaceutical company Bayer has said it will finance a chair in sustainable development at Tongji University in China.

The chair is a joint project with Tongji University and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). Bayer will support the new chair, student scholarships and research activities for an initial period of five years with a sponsorship of USD 1m.

The Bayer-Tongji Chair for Sustainable Development will focus on advanced education and research into emerging environmental technologies. It will also support sustainable development projects which enhance China's solutions to environmental, economic and social sustainability problems.

Member of Bayer's management board, Wolfgang Plischke, said: "The path China takes to achieve sustainable growth and protect its environment will have far-reaching effects. We know the government is committed to meeting the challenges, and Bayer is here to help."

Zhao Jianfu, vice-president of Tongji University, added: "The University considers environmental protection and sustainable development one of its top priorities. We are delighted to be working closely with Bayer, a company known worldwide for its outstanding achievements in the area of sustainability."

China plans to reduce its energy consumption and emissions by 20 and 10 per cent, respectively, between 2006 and 2010. To achieve this, the country says it needs help for funding and technologies.

Bayer already provided new technologies and specialised services for China in wastewater treatment, environmental protection and conversion of biological energy sources, added Plischke.