Survey period: 9 March 2009 to 1 June 2009

The UNEP FI Insurance Working Group, supported by leading academic institutions from the United States and Europe, is conducting a landmark global survey on the understanding and integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in insurance underwriting and product development. The nature and scope of this survey makes it the first of its kind. The core objectives are to:

  • Assess the understanding and integration of ESG factors in insurance underwriting and product development globally
  • Assess the financial materiality of ESG factors in insurance underwriting and product development
  • Provide recommendations for sustainable insurance underwriting
  • Provide research input for potential projects on other core insurance processes (e.g. investment, claims management, and sales & marketing)
  • Establish a solid business case for the development of “Principles for Sustainable Insurance”

This comprehensive survey, which will be open for the period 9 March 2009 to 1 June 2009, targets respondents from across the insurance value chain (insurers, reinsurers, brokers, agents, etc.), principally underwriters and product managers. However, respondents can also encompass other functional responsibilities in the insurance profession (actuarial, asset/investment management, claims management, corporate responsibility, knowledge management, sales & marketing, sustainability, etc.), including insurance regulators and supervisors, as we wish to have an objective assessment of the level of understanding of ESG factors among different industry practitioners. Furthermore, respondents from other institutions, industries, sectors, disciplines and demographic profiles are certainly welcome to complete the survey to the best of their ability. Basically, it could be anyone with views on the insurance industry. UNEP FI has designed a global distribution strategy to ensure that the survey reaches insurance markets in developed and developing countries around the world–from Africa and the Asia-Pacific, to Europe, Latin America and North America. Survey respondents will help UNEP FI achieve its strategic objectives for the insurance industry–and contribute to the goals of the United Nations–underpinning the vital role of the insurance industry in sustainable development.

Be part of this pioneering survey: http://staging.unepfi.org/esg-survey

UNEP FI Project Lead,,

Notes

The UNEP FI Insurance Working Group (IWG) is an alliance of leading insurers and reinsurers committed to integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their core business strategies and operations to enhance long-term company value. In 2006, the IWG was established to address current and emerging sustainability issues concerning the insurance industry. In 2008, the IWG established an Academic Working Group, led by the Fox School of Business at Temple University and supported by other leading academic institutions in the United States and Europe, to provide the research foundation for the development of “Principles for Sustainable Insurance”, and a global network of insurers proactively addressing ESG factors.

Member institutions of the UNEP FI Insurance Working Group

Member institutions of the UNEP FI Academic Working Group

Lead academic institution: Advisory academic institutions: