
The ClimateWise Insurance Advisory Council is a group of C-suite executives drawn from across ClimateWise’s global membership base. They commission impact research into ways the insurance industry can support the zero carbon, climate-resilient transition.
Insurance is among the industries most affected by climate change due to what it insures and invests in. Consequently, insurers are keen to mitigate the risks of climate change. While many organisations have worked voluntarily, both individually and in leadership groups, a more co-ordinated response is required across the financial system. This requires a combination of industry leadership supported by cutting-edge research and analysis.
The Council’s purpose is therefore to draw on the University of Cambridge and its partners’ expertise to help strengthen the industry's response and inform regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders on how to promote more systematic responses to climate change across the financial system.
The Council was established in 2016 and is currently led by chair Kevin O’Donnell, President and CEO, RenaissanceRe, with deputy chair John Scott, Head of Sustainability Risk, The Zurich Insurance group, and chair of the managing committee, Harriet James, SVP, Head of Sustainability, RenaissanceRe.
For queries relating to the Council, please contact us.
Council members
Kevin O’DonnellPresident and CEO, RenaissanceRe“Climate change is one of the most complex challenges faced by the world and our business. The insurance and reinsurance industry plays an important role in managing climate risk while helping facilitate the transition to a lower carbon economy. Through ClimateWise, leaders across the industry can collaborate to strengthen our collective response to this important issue.”
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Harriet JamesSVP, Head of Sustainability Strategy, RenaissanceRe“As Chair of the ClimateWise Managing Committee, I look forward to continuing to work alongside the membership to mobilise collective action across the industry. We have an opportunity, and responsibility, to develop innovative solutions that promote climate resilience, reduce the protection gap and prevent ecosystem collapse. By gathering leaders across the insurance sector, we can effect change on a global scale and reduce the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities around the world.”
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Charlotte ClarkDirector of Regulation, Association of British Insurers (ABI)“The ABI is committed to leading the insurance and long-term savings sectors efforts to tackle climate change, through our Climate Change Roadmap. We have a unique role to play, as our sector can combine our investment capacity, risk management expertise and interaction with customers to drive change across the economy. I am proud to join the Advisory Council and continue the ABI’s longstanding involvement in ClimateWise. Collaboration by ClimateWise members can de-risk the technology and infrastructure innovations needed to reach Net Zero, while also ensuring households and businesses can manage the risks that come alongside change at this pace and scale.”
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Mandy DennisonVice President, Global Social Impact & ESG, Intact Financial Corporation“RSA and Intact have been on the frontlines of climate change with our customers, helping them to recover from the impacts of extreme weather. We’re committed to using our strengths, expertise, and scale to help build resilient communities and support our partners and customers transition towards a sustainable future.”
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John NealCEO, Lloyd’s“As a market that supports millions of customers and communities around the world, and with a unique understanding of the impacts of climate change and the transition risk across multiple-sectors and geographies, Lloyd’s has an important role to play in driving action towards a sustainable future. The time to act is now, and I am proud to join the ClimateWise Insurance Advisory Council as we work together to accelerate progress towards a more resilient, net-zero economy.”
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Jason RichardsCountry President and CEO UK & Ireland, Swiss Re"The climate crisis is here. We simply must take action on the biggest threat confronting humanity. We need to work together as insurers and reinsurers and with all parties in the value chain, we need to share experiences, best practices and our risk knowledge. ClimateWise plays an important role here and I am delighted to have recently joined the Advisory Council."
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Adam WinslowCEO UK & Ireland General Insurance, Aviva“Climate change is no longer a distant threat, and it is one that will impact right across our industry, from the increasing frequency and severity of weather events for properties we insure, to the requirement to underwrite the innovative technologies that are driving the green transition. Aviva is at the forefront of these changes and has also set the most ambitious targets for achieving a Net Zero position, and I hope that through working with ClimateWise we can accelerate the changes needed across the industry, the economy and society as a whole.”
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