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Interview with Dr. Ulrich von Deessen
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Curriculum vitae
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The Climate Protection Officer |
Dr. Ulrich von Deessen has been named the first Climate Protection Officer of BASF in 2008. The Climate Protection Officer is a member of BASF’s Sustainability Council and coordinates all BASF activities in this area worldwide. By establishing this position, BASF emphasizes the strategic importance of climate protection. "Climate change is one of the main challenges faced by society," said Dr. Ulrich von Deessen, Climate Protection Officer of BASF SE.
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The Climate Protection Officer coordinates topics such as greenhouse gas emissions, production and disposal as well as the long-term positioning of BASF in the area of climate protection. BASF’s Climate Protection officer will also establish networks with business units and research.
"Climate protection is an integral part of BASF’s sustainability strategy and is increasingly becoming a long-term strategic issue," said von Deessen. "We are the first globally operating company in industry to establish the position of Climate Protection Officer."
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Interview with Dr. Ulrich von Deessen
Why does BASF need a Climate Protection Officer?
Climate protection affects virtually all of BASF's business processes: whether we are purchasing raw materials, producing chemicals, carrying out research into new processes, or whether our customers are using our products, all of this has an impact on our CO2 balance, i.e. on how much greenhouse gas we emit or what emissions we manage to save. As the Climate Protection Officer (CPO), my role is to coordinate all of BASF's activities in this field around the world. Issues range from daily business operations through to BASF's long-term positioning in respect of climate protection. The CPO is the information hub and coordinator here, but also the mentor for climate protection within BASF.
Do you have real powers to take decisions, or is the whole thing just a PR stunt?
As the head of the Environment, Health and Safety competence centre, I am responsible for a large number of the issues which are related directly or indirectly to climate protection. I report directly to the Board of Executive Directors and prepare decisions for it on the issue of climate protection. In addition, the Climate Protection Officer is a member of the Sustainability Council, which manages all of BASF's activities in relation to sustainability and launches global initiatives and projects. All in all my view is that a company could hardly give a Climate Protection Officer more influence. We mean business.
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Is it certain then that climate change really does exist?
There has always been climate change. Just think of the Ice Ages. Even if not all of the correlations are clear ; and the regional impacts are still the subject of studies; scientists are now largely in agreement that we are seeing a rise in the average global temperature which can be attributed to human activities - the emission of greenhouse gases, deforestation, agriculture and similar activities.
Hasn't BASF always been opposed to strict political legislation in respect of climate protection?
This is a misconception: BASF supports the aims of the Kyoto Protocol. We are not opposed to climate protection targets. On the contrary, we have in fact set ourselves ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at BASF - which anybody can read about in our annual reporting. But climate protection is a global issue which requires global action. With a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions of roughly 10%, the European Union cannot save the climate on its own. We need to take the rest of the world along with us on this journey.
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What is the first thing you intend to do?
Our new climate protection targets show us the way ahead: We will examine the energy efficiency at our global sites in detail and see where we can improve. To give you one current example, we use steam which has been conserved in an additional condensation turbine so that we can generate more electricity. There are lots of measures which help us to improve our CO2 balance. We have also convened a number of experts together in a group which is monitoring the publications on climate change and is examining the climatic data at BASF's various sites.
How important is this issue to you personally?
Very important. After all, climate protection means that globally efficiency in terms of the way we use resources and energy must be increased considerably. This is the big challenge facing us. This is the only way that it will be possible to enable emerging nations and developing countries to enjoy sustained growth without industrialised countries experiencing a dramatic drop in wealth. And everybody can take responsibility and do their bit to help - whether we are switching on lights or our computer, heating our homes or getting in our cars.
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Curriculum vitae
Dr. Ulrich von Deessen (52) came to BASF in 1987 after receiving his doctorate in chemistry and initially worked in research. In 1996, he became head of research for the Fine Chemicals division. In 1998, he moved to BASF Antwerp where he was responsible for production. In 2001, he became head of research for Fine Chemicals and Biocatalysts. He was chief of staff to the Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE from 2003.
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