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A look at how an energy and agriculture leader is optimising the industry through sustainable innovation.

As natural disasters and extreme weather conditions become increasingly common, they pose a greater threat to the world’s crops and farmlands which are depended upon to sustain life across the planet.

BayWa is one of the most important currently operating in the agricultural sector, with its team of innovators working closely with the industry to develop farming solutions for a world in crisis. Globally, BayWa is one of the key developers of renewable energy projects and technologies to not only support its customers, but to help tackle the growing effects of climate change.

The team is recognised internationally for their dependability and innovation, with BayWa priding itself on building a business based upon a relationship of trust with its customers and clients. They have built their trust and reputation by not only delivering on groundbreaking innovative products, but also with the simple fact that they are committed to preparing against, and acknowledging, the threats of climate change.

With a growing global population and less space to grow crops, all space must be optimised and farmers cannot afford to waste or lose crops through imperfect weather conditions. On top of this, more is being expected of industries across the world to decarbonise and eliminate dependence on fossil fuels. Facing these challenges, BayWa is developing new solutions, but the work has already begun.

Already achieving the first goal of its climate strategy in 2020, BayWa has managed to cover 100% of its electricity consumption from renewable sources. Receiving a B rating in the climate rating of the Carbon Disclosure Project, BayWa is above the industry average, with more to follow.

“This success shows that economic growth and sustainability are not a contradiction in terms; on the contrary,” explained Prof. Klaus Josef Lutz, CEO, BayWa AG. “BayWa achieved its best economic result in 2020 and at the same time came a big step closer to its long-term climate goal of operating in a climate-neutral manner by 2030.”

The health of our agricultural industry depends on an ability to adapt, overcome and address the changing climates of the world. This has been achieved through an expansion of digitalisation in the sector. Through new and innovative digital solutions, BayWa has already been able to help farmers expand their capabilities and evolve with our changing climate. Another rather litte digital solution is the establishment of new species of apple trees that remain productive in regions that due to global warming wouldn’t be growing apples anymore. The new varieties grow more readily and efficiently in the changing climate conditions. Just another example of how BayWa is redefining agricultural power.

As one of the global leading companies in Wind and Solar energie BayWa also puts effort into research: In Heggelbach, Germany, BayWa hosts one of the first research facilities exploring AgriPV (Agriphotovoltaic). Implementing the definitions of both ‘power’ and ‘plant’ into the same space, BayWa’s pioneering design allows for solar powers to hang above farmland, acting as both a solar and traditional crop farm. Recently BayWa r.e. finished two more AgriPV projects again proving that this is a solution for the next generations to come.  

“We provide shade, we provide reduction in water consumption, we provide at the same time electricity,” said Stephan Schindele, Head of AgriPV, BayWa r.e. This shows that crop production under photovoltaic is feasible, and AgriPV is a solution that can be part of the strategy for the farmers to adapt to global warming.

As the world becomes more aware of what needs to be done to combat climate change, companies are being held accountable for wasteful practices. BayWa CEO Professor Klaus Josef Lutz sees this as an opportunity for businesses to embrace the challenges ahead, and AgriPV represents just one of the many avenues BayWa has been able to explore in the search for sustainable solutions.

“It’s very important that people understand that you are involved in sustainability and the challenges of the climate situation,” said Professor Lutz. “The first step is to understand what is the challenge, the second step is to have the courage to create maybe unusual answers, and to implement the answers in concrete action.”

While Professor Lutz believes that globally we spend more time talking about change rather than enacting it, he wants to show the world what can be done when we do stand up and enforce positive change. Show what can be done when we, together, face this crisis head-on.