Environment
We believe that helping to protect the environment is important. To make sure we are doing all we can, we have set ourselves environmental goals that work together with our social and economic objectives. Zurich's global environmental policy guides our environmental activities. Since the mid 1990s Zurich in the UK has been introducing high standards of environmental and resource management and progressively integrating them into our operations.
These focus on energy conservation, waste minimisation and the development of integrated transport plans. We are also working to improve our environmental management system and introduce ways of better measuring how we are doing in this key area.
- Energy conservation linked to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions - 100% of Zurich’s self occupied properties in the UK, and most of our tenanted buildings, are benefiting from a combination of renewable electricity and good quality combined heat and power, making Zurich one of the few large companies to have embraced environmentally friendly energy. We are also investing in new technology to reduce our energy consumption. Our 2009 energy consumption showed a reduction of 12.9% over 2008, when averaged per m² of usable space. Over the same period, our CO2 emissions fell by 15.6%
- Waste minimisation - Our waste minimisation programme at locations where we are responsible for general waste, has made a 48% reduction in the quantity of our waste being sent to landfill from 2004 to 2009
- Integrated travel plans – Since 2002 we have continued to implement travel plans at our core locations to encourage sustainable commuting at several major locations. In terms of our Business Travel we have seen a significant reduction in the number of miles travelled. We are anticipating a year on year reduction in 2009 of circa 20%. This has been possible due to greater use of video and telephone conferencing facilities and improved general management of our travel requirements.
- Biodiversity - Zurich’s aim is to have a land management policy which is wildlife friendly and does not harm protected species and their habitats.
The environmental policy for the Zurich Financial Services Group guides what we do.
CEO's statement
"We believe it is our responsibility to enhance environmental awareness by motivating and educating our employees and customers. We hope to foster a philosophy of environmental responsibility into all aspects of our core services and products."
