News

Insurers begin long countdown to net zero (Environmental Finance)

The insurance industry took its biggest step towards decarbonisation with launch of the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) in July 2021. Some of the world's biggest insurers have now joined. The NZIA arguably has the potential to be more influential than its investor counterparts in encouraging change among high-emitting companies. Without insurance, companies cannot function.

NZBA responds to recent research on fossil fuels, coal

Recent research has outlined perceived inconsistencies between the requirements of the Alliance commitment and the activities of its members. The NZBA wishes to reflect the highest level of ambition in its practices even as it balances that ambition against the pragmatic concerns of our current global economy, and so would like to provide more detail on how it is approaching these issues.

One year on from commitments on adaptation: lack of risk data and standards delaying progress

In January 2021, UNEP FI and the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) came together with ten financial institutions from across banking and investment to commit to disclosing their risks from the physical impacts of climate change. UNEP FI’s Paul Smith reviews the progress made by the group, explains the importance of this commitment, and the issues facing financial institutions trying to accurately disclose their physical risk.