Zurich shares and promotes best practice in responsible investment

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) publishes its first progress report on implementing the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

The PRI is the UN-supported network of institutional investors, asset managers and service providers working together to put six principles for responsible investment into practice.

Since becoming a signatory of the PRI in July 2012, Zurich has made good progress in actively integrating environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors and issues into its investment analysis and decision-making process. The full Responsible Investment Transparency Report is available here. Cecilia Reyes, Chief Investment Officer explains: „Zurich strives to incorporate ESG factors in investment decisions, believing that ESG factors can materially impact risks and opportunities associated with underlying investments, whether these are in the equity, corporate bond or real estate space. We expect that fully reflecting ESG factors, alongside traditional financial metrics and risk management practices,  will support us in our investment mission to achieve superior risk-adjusted long-term financial returns.”

In addition, Zurich invests in assets that generate a tangible and measurable positive impact on society and the environment.  Ms. Reyes adds: “We have been very pleased to lead the rapid development of the green bonds market since our last year announcement to invest up to USD 1 billion in green bonds.” Through green bonds investment, Zurich seeks to help mitigate climate change and to help communities become more resilient to the adverse effects of climate change. As of December 31, 2013, USD 236 million have already been invested.

Fiona Reynolds, PRI’s Managing Director: “We are pleased to witness the development of Zurich's responsible investment approach and welcome Zurich's transparency in reporting progress to the PRI and the public.”

Manuel Lewin, Head of Responsible Investment, explains: «At Zurich, responsible investment is becoming part of our DNA. Responsible investment is reflected in the individual objectives of the whole Investment Management team, and all of our in-house investment teams are now working towards fully integrating ESG in their investment processes . The PRI are a tremendous support on our journey as a responsible investor.”

Further information

The full version of the report is available here.

Details about Zurich's Responsible Investment approach can be found online at our website.

Corporate responsibility is a key part of Zurich’s strategy and supports our mission to help our customers understand and protect themselves from risk. We focus on seven areas related to our core business and contribute to society by applying our insurance, risk management and investment expertise. These areas are:

• Enhancing community flood resilience (see more on Zurich’s global flood resilience program)
• Investing our Group assets responsibly (Zurich is a signatory of the Principles of Responsible Investment (PRI))
• Working with our corporate customers to help them understand and manage their corporate responsibility risks
• Community investment locally and through the Z Zurich Foundation
• Environmental performance, health and safety management in our office buildings
• Diversity and inclusion in our workforce

• Responsible supply chain management

Zurich participates in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) and FTSE4Good.

Zurich has been a signatory of the UN Global Compact since 2011 and we are committed to making the Global Compact and its principles part of Zurich’s strategy, culture and day-to-day operations.

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