Insurer commits to going carbon neutral worldwide

Norwich Union's parent company Aviva announced that it would offset its remaining emissions – approximately 110,000 tonnes annually - on a retrospective basis, starting with emissions generated in 2006.

The organisation will compensate for the carbon output of its consumption of non-renewable sourced electricity and gas from buildings and business travel - including air, car and train - across all of its worldwide operations.

Richard Harvey, group chief executive, Aviva said: "Our decision to go carbon neutral is a significant step and one we have not entered into lightly.

"We believe climate change to be the most important environmental issue facing the world and as a forward thinking company we are playing our part in addressing this challenge and would encourage other businesses to follow suit."

He added: "Aviva operates in twenty five countries around the world making us well placed to make a positive impact on the environment and educate others on the importance of the issue and its effect."

Encouraging others

Aviva said its commitment was part of an ongoing programme to limit environmental impact through energy efficiency and sourcing of zero emission electricity.

In order to neutralise its carbon emissions the company is investing in projects that generate carbon credits. The credits come from a combination of carbon mitigation methods - such as tree planting, and renewable energy generation projects which do not release carbon to the atmosphere such as solar or wind power.

Richard Harvey explained: "We are committed to making a positive contribution to the environment and shall continue to focus on reducing our energy use and attempting to source zero emission power where we can.

"We are also looking at ways in which to help our customers reduce their CO2 emissions through the provision of innovative products such as 'Pay-As-You-Drive' and we continue to encourage other companies to reduce their CO2 emissions through Morley, our fund management company."

Environmental policy

Since 2002, Aviva has already cut building and travel related CO2 by 54%. Over the same period, Aviva's UK business, Norwich Union, has reduced energy consumption by 5.5GWh (gigawatt hours) across its locations. Alternative fuel vehicles have also been added to Aviva's car fleet.

Aviva uses 100% zero emission electricity in UK, Dutch and German businesses and 20% in Ireland and the Czech Republic. Currently 64% of electricity used by Aviva globally is obtained from zero emission sources.

The company's general insurance operations have also been seeking solutions to limit the effects of climate change on customers through flood mapping and lobbying on the issue of flood defences and flood-plain planning.

In addition, reduced premium insurance products for drivers of flexi-fuel Ford cars are offered.