Group Sustainability Strategy

We strive to minimise the environmental impacts of our business and have committed to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. We aim to play our part in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy by de-risking transition projects and infrastructure, scaling up related investments, decarbonising our operations and working with suppliers, clients and investees to support them in doing the same.  

The first ambition is implemented with a focus on the following activities:

• Committing to a decarbonisation pathway and setting GHG emission reduction targets for assets, liabilities and operations.
• Providing risk transfer solutions and investments to advance the net-zero transition across different sectors.
• Engaging with clients and stakeholders, building on our risk knowledge.

Our goal is to help build societal resilience by enhancing disaster resilience and fostering financial inclusion in both advanced and emerging economies. Economic growth, urbanisation and growing asset concentration in exposed areas cause increasing losses from natural catastrophes, which could be worsened by climate change. Combining risk prevention, risk mitigation and risk transfer measures forms part of a comprehensive disaster resilience and adaptation approach. Furthermore, we foster financial inclusion by facilitating access to insurance. With our re/insurance solutions and knowledge sharing, we help to increase societal resilience.  

The second ambition focuses on:

• Narrowing the natural catastrophe protection gap by offering respective re/insurance products and services, including advancing climate adaptation.
• Fostering financial inclusion with a focus on household financial protection and healthcare protection.
• Engaging with clients and stakeholders, building on Swiss Re’s risk knowledge.

Strategic planning for the skills and capabilities needed today and in the future are key for Swiss Re, as is the ability to attract, develop and retain the best talent at the right time, in the right place and for the right roles. We are committed to creating a culture of performance and inclusion to unlock the potential of our people and drive resilience, engagement and sustainable success. 

Resilient operations including sound processes and controls, a safe digital and technology environment including cyber security, plus readily available sustainability data are important to the implementation of the Group Sustainability Strategy. 

We identify, assess and address environmental, social and governance factors in our underwriting, and investments, in particular through our ESG Risk Framework. It guides, together with other frameworks, how we manage sustainability risks.  

Our sustainability governance framework describes the roles and responsibilities as they relate to defining, approving, implementing, enhancing and monitoring the Group Sustainability Strategy. The Board of Directors and each of the Board committees as well as the Group Executive Committee  (Group EC) and all Group EC members have explicit responsibilities related to sustainability. The Board’s Governance, Nomination and Sustainability Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing the GSS. As the dedicated Group EC subcommittee, the Group Sustainability Committee oversees and steers sustainability-related efforts undertaken across the Group. 

Swiss Re’s Code of Conduct and supporting measures help ensure that those subject to the Code act with integrity.