Codes and Guidelines

a.s.r. has signed the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance in December 2021, aiming to achieve a carbon neutral insurance portfolio by 2050.

The UN-convened Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (established July 2021) brings together the world’s leading insurers and reinsurers to play their part in accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions economies. They are committing to individually transition their underwriting portfolios to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

As risk managers, insurers and investors, the insurance industry has a key role in supporting the transition to a net-zero economy. NZIA members will individually set science-based intermediate targets every five years and independently report on their progress publicly on an annual basis. The alliance is working with the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials on developing a global standard for measuring and disclosing insured greenhouse gas emissions. This will result in the NZIA target-setting protocol, foreseen to be launched in 2023. 

In December 2020 a.s.r. asset management joined the international initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A group of 30 international asset managers, with invested assets of more than 7 trillion Euro, together form the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, a new global platform of asset managers committed to decarbonising their investment portfolios and thereby contributing to the realisation of the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

The goal of the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050, or earlier, to net zero, with a clear intermediate target for 2030. This is in line with global efforts to limit average global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The investments made by asset managers must support these objectives. The commitment also include prioritising the achievement of emission reductions in the real economy within the sectors and companies in which the asset managers invest. In other words, in all investments, the possible impact and the reduction of greenhouse gases must be taken into account separately.

a.s.r. signed the Paris Pledge for Action on 11 December 2015. In it, the signatories express their firm support for the new climate agreement that was signed during the Paris COP21. The Paris Pledge for Action is an initiative of the French presidency of the COP21, which calls upon al organizations, enterprises, regions, cities and investors to subscribe to the Paris Pledge for Action. Through this pledge, the organizations, including a.s.r., confirm their commitment to a safe and stable climate, in which the increase in temperature limited to well below 2 degrees Centrigrade.

The Spitsbergen Ambition is a commitment between Dutch financial institutions that want to combat climate change through their financing and investments. To support this, all participating institutions commit to actively measuring and externally reporting on the climate impact of all measurable financing and investments for 2020. The institutions will also use climate scenario analyses and Science Based Targets (an international initiative of CDP) , UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF to set climate reduction targets in line with science), in order to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. The intention is to discuss progress at least on a semi-annual basis, as well as to share dilemmas and knowledge. a.s.r. signed the Spitsbergen ambition on the 26th of June 2019.

On July 10, 2019 a.s.r. as a party in the financial sector, committed to the climate goals of the government. a.s.r. is actively involved in establishing the commitment of the financial sector, with coordination on behalf of the insurance sector being in the hands of the Dutch Association of Insurers. The approximately fifty banks, insurers, pension funds and asset managers and their umbrella organisations commit themselves from 2020 to report on the climate impact of their financing and investments. In addition, they will have action plans ready by 2022 that will contribute to a reduction in CO2 emissions. The signatory parties organise annual consultations on the progress of the implementation of the agreements. The commitment must contribute to the implementation of the National Climate Agreement, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 by 49%.

On July 5th 2018 the insurance sector, civil organisations and the Dutch Government have signed the Covenant for International Responsible Investment in the Insurance Sector (in Dutch: IMVO Convenant Verzekeringsector). The Dutch insurance sector globally invests more than € 500 billion in companies and governments and thereby has the opportunity to influence their behavior. Through this collaboration, the signatories hope to gain better insight and realize a positive impact on international ESG factors.

a.s.r. is one of the fourteen Dutch financial institutions – the Platform for Carbon Accounting Financials – who have agreed to work together to jointly develop open source methodologies to measure the carbon footprint of their investments and loans. By measuring and disclosing this information they expect to develop more effective strategies that help contribute to a low carbon society, in the hope that other institutions will follow soon.

The Platform Living Wage Financials (PLWF) is an unprecedented alliance of 11 financial institutions that encourages and monitors investee companies to address the non-payment of living wage in global supply chains of the garment industry. As an investor coalition with over € 2,3 trillion of Assets Under Management, we use our influence and leverage to engage with our investee companies.

a.s.r. asset management is a signatory of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC). The IIGCC is the European membership body for investor collaboration on climate change and the voice of investors taking action for a prosperous, low carbon future. IIGCC has more than 400 members, mainly pension funds and asset managers, across 27 countries, with over €65 trillion in assets under management.

IIGCC’s mission is to support and enable the investment community in driving significant and real progress by 2030 towards a net zero and resilient future. This will be achieved through capital allocation decisions, stewardship and successful engagement with companies, policy makers and fellow investors. IIGCC works to support and help define the public policies, investment practices and corporate behaviors that address the long-term risks and opportunities associated with climate change.

 

a.s.r. Real Estate is a partner of the Dutch Green Building Council Foundation (DGBC), an independent non-profit networking organisation dedicated to making the built environment more sustainable. The foundation, founded in 2008 at the initiative of the market and part of the World Green Building Council, is the largest network in the Netherlands for making the built environment more sustainable. DGBC manages and develops the BREEAM-NL sustainability certification. This is a national and international certification to assess the sustainable performance of buildings, demolition projects and areas.

a.s.r. has concluded a membership agreement with the Dutch Debt Relief Route (Nederlandse Schuldhulproute; NSR). The NSR is working on a central debt assistance route through various activities. One of these is Geldfit, a national initiative focusing on effective referral to other financial support organisations at a local level. Customers gain reliable insight into their financial situation through a simple online test. This anonymous test offers them targeted help in getting or keeping their finances in order, from debt prevention to debt assistance. The various a.s.r. business units can refer customers to Geldfit if necessary.

Anders Reizen is a coalition of over 70 large organisations representing 550,000 employees. The common ambition of Anders Reizen is to halve CO2 emissions from business travel by 2030 (compared to 2016). Business travel refers to commuting and travel on behalf of the employer, including air travel, per employee (FTE). This is set out in the 'pledge sustainable mobility' that every member signs. To achieve these goals, the most effective measures have been translated into a front-runner programme with best practices. Through these measures, we are working towards a mobility policy that should lead to 'the new normal' in business travel. The ambition and goals of Anders Reizen are included in the national Climate Agreement in 2019 (50% reduction in CO2 emissions).

a.s.r. signed the United Nations Global Compact in 2011. By signing the UNGC, a.s.r. has undertaken to embrace, support and implement within its sphere of influence thes principles relating to human rights, labour standards, the environment and the fight against corruption. 

As part of the UN Global Compact, a.s.r. signed the Call to Action and the Global Development Agenda in 2014. Through this initiative, the private sector calls upon governments to promote anti-corruption measures and to implement good governance principles.

a.s.r. signed the PSI of the UNEP FI in August 2013. By adhering to these principles, a.s.r. demonstrates its belief in the need to integrate sustainability into its insurance operations. The objective of these principles is to reduce sustainability risks, develop innovative solutions and improve the operating performance of businesses in terms of social, economic and environmental aspects. 

a.s.r. signed the UN PRI in 2011. The 1,400 companies worldwide that endorse these principles together manage investments worth € 59 trillion. By applying the six UN principles for responsible investment, a.s.r. contributes to the development of a more sustainable financial system. a.s.r. gives a status update on its progress in meeting the Principles for Responsible Investment every year.

a.s.r. is committed to customers who are unable or unwilling to pay their bills. We do this by actively helping them find a solution to their problems. We have signed the Ethical Manifesto with other large companies.