Environmental policies
Introduction
Environmental stewardship is an important aspect of sustainable business development. Many steps, small and large, are needed for such stewardship. Zurich understands that this begins with a recognition of the need for high standards of environmental and resource management and continues with the effort to integrate them into relevant sectors of a company's operations.
Beyond our own operations, we are well qualified to help clients identify, assess, and reduce environmental risks. We have built up considerable experience developing and using risk management tools, such as the Zurich Hazard Analysis, and various proprietary products for alleviating environmental risks. As with our internal efforts, the goal is to help others recognize the importance of limiting pollution and conserving natural resources through sound environmental management practices.
The underlying goal in our various efforts is to support responsible environmental and resource management in balance with sustainable business development. We see this as part of our ongoing endeavors toward good corporate citizenship.
April 2003 (first published 1998)
Role
To strengthen our attention to environmental risks, exposures, and opportunities in our business activities, including in risk management; loss prevention; product design; claims handling; asset management, and within our internal operations.
Policies and Procedures
It is our policy to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Our goals include:
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Promoting environmental insurance products and services as one tool for supporting more effective management of environmental exposures
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Combining environmental aspects into our underwriting practices
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Integrating a philosophy of sustainable development into our business activities
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Supporting sustainable development within the insurance and financial services industries
Awareness and Training
Internal goals:
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Enhancing environmental awareness among our employees and motivating them to act in an environmentally responsible manner
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Educating management, underwriters, risk engineers, claims staff and others on our environmental principles, products and services
External goals:
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Educating customers on environmental exposures inherent in their operations and on available environmental risk management products and services
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Sharing appropriate information and lessons learned with clients, their brokers, and their financial advisors
Continuous Improvement
Our goals include:
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Periodically reviewing our environmental policy and practices in order to improve operational and environmental performance
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Learning from best practice examples of environmental management
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Integrating environmental awareness in planning, marketing, employee communications and training
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Monitoring
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Fostering responsible environmental behavior among our employees at all levels and encouraging them to continuously improve and aim beyond minimum requirements
Customers, Partners, Suppliers
Our goals include:
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Taking environmental impact into consideration when designing products and services
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Having offerings within our asset management business that take into account environmental performance criteria
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Working with partners offering insurance and financial products and services that promote environmental practices
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In our internal purchasing, looking for environmentally friendly products, where possible
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Using, where appropriate, environmental criteria in the selection of local vendors and corporate suppliers
We aim to provide world-class environmental risk management tools and services to our customers, such as through risk engineering and claims management approaches.
We will seek ways to help clients assess the impact of their activities on their local environment.
Pollution Prevention - Waste Minimization
Our goals include:
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Proactive measures to reduce, prevent or eliminate pollution
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Identifying and managing excessive energy consumption
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Working to manage our own operations and physical assets as a whole in an environmentally responsible manner
Research and Due Diligence
We will continue advancing the development and use of the Total Risk Profiling, Zurich Hazard Analysis, and other tools to evaluate environmental and other risks and impacts in facility and business operations. We will work to develop technology, engineering, or other appropriate solutions and processes for more effective due diligence assessments.
Communication
Our goal is to increase awareness of our environmental efforts in accordance with this policy.
The Group Environmental Policy and Principles was first published in 1998. Last revised April 2003.
