Our commitment to the planet | Zurich Switzerland

Our commitment to
our planet

As a global insurance company, we want to make a positive difference in the world and become one of the most sustainable companies. Watch the video below to explore the importance of rewilding and what other steps we are taking in terms of sustainability.

Watch the Video Zurich’s sustainability framework

In many ways nature does lots of things better than we ever could. What is empowering to know is that there are things we can all do to prioritise natural solutions for our global environmental challenges. Rewilding is another powerful way to support nature, in which companies, like humans, can also take an active role in preserving our planet. At Zurich we believe by supporting nature today, we can make tomorrow more resilient. Get inspired by Zurich’s rewilding actions and discover how you can actively support nature and rewild your life with useful everyday tips.

The power of the butterfly effect

Content created by National Geographic CreativeWorks

Zurich has worked with National Geographic CreativeWorks to produce content exploring how small but mighty actions of rewilding can ladder up to massive change. Through different examples of ‘’butterfly effects’’ we can see how individuals can have a positive impact in the preservation of our planet.

The first ‘’butterfly effect’’ example starts with planting a dandelion in a garden in Germany and how this can help hold back floods in Malaysia through a chain of positive impacts. Another example is how Zurich, together with Instituto Terra, is supporting the planting of new seedlings– leading to more fauna and new jobs for local communities.

‘’How a dandelion holds back a flood‘’

Discover the Zurich Forest Project

Working with Instituto Terra, a Brazil-based non-profit, Zurich is helping bring back to life a part of one of the greatest forests on earth.

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Learn about Zurich’s sustainability framework

Sustainable Operations

Zurich is constantly optimizing its own footprint and has set itself ambitious targets with respect to reducing CO₂ emissions against the backdrop of the worsening climate crisis: By 2025, we will reduce our absolute emissions by 50 percent and by 2029 by 70 percent – both reductions relate to the level in 2019.

Sustainable Innovations

We are working continuously on the development of services that contribute to solving the ecological problems of our age. For example, by supporting our customers with products for a more sustainable lifestyle. Or by helping property owners to identify potential natural hazards for every location in Switzerland and by providing tips on how best to protect oneself against such hazards.

Sustainable Investments

Zurich manages around USD 200 billion. We want to create sustainable values through this. In addition to investment returns, we focus on three targets: the complete decarbonization of our investment portfolio by 2050, the avoidance of five million metric tons of CO₂ emissions and the support of five million people per year through impact investments.

We are working on bringing the topic of sustainability more to our customers.

Marianne Hänggi, Head of Sustainability

Projects and initiatives

Recognizing SME cyber risks

Sustainable Innovations

Large companies generally have sufficient resources to deal with cyber risks. Small to medium-sized enterprises, on the other hand, may find the task overwhelming, so they just sit tight and simply hope for the best.

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Protection against climate change

Sustainable Innovations

Zurich Resilience Solutions is able to support companies with managing their own risks in relation to current and future challenges thanks to decades of expertise in risk management.

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Zurich supports change on Lake Lugano

Sustainable Innovations

Swapping diesel for electricity? This is what the Lake Lugano Navigation Company has in mind. The first boat is already being retrofitted. By 2035, all others will follow – with the support of Zurich.

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Sustainable building and renovation

Sustainable Innovations

Energy is an increasingly scarce and expensive commodity. Wasted energy is not only bad for the climate, but also for your wallet – particularly when it comes to real estate. Sustainable renovation and modernization can save you both energy and money.

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Well covered when using renewable energy

Sustainable Innovations

Solar systems and heat pumps contribute to a more sustainable energy supply. However, when the equipment is defective, it becomes expensive. With Zurich, you can protect yourself from this scenario.

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Investment with CO₂ compensation

Sustainable Investments

Zurich is the first insurance company to offer private customers an investment strategy that focuses on low-carbon companies and businesses in the field of clean technologies, and it also offsets any CO₂ emissions that nevertheless remain.

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Get a ESG report faster thanks to Zurich

Sustainable Innovations

When it comes to sustainability, there's a vast proliferation of confusing labels. The esg2go tool, which is supported by Zurich, is not only intended to set uniform standards, but also to reduce the effort for SMEs.

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E-mobility: switching is worth it

Sustainable Innovations

Eco-bonus and flat rate charging app for electric cars: Zurich Switzerland is promoting sustainable mobility with various offers. Even infrequent drivers are rewarded for behaving sustainably.

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Almost 87 percent less paper used

Sustainable Operations

On the way to a paperless office: Zurich Switzerland is becoming increasingly sustainable. Compared with 2015, the insurance company has reduced its internal paper consumption by almost 87 percent. And since spring 2020, Zurich Switzerland has only used recycled paper internally.

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Sustainably Mobile

Sustainable Operations

Our employees play an important role in reducing emissions - be it thanks to the promotion of travel by public transport, by avoiding business flights whenever and wherever possible, or through less commuting thanks to home office.

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Sustainable and healthy eating

Sustainable Operations

With sustainable menus, recyclable packaging and the reduction of food waste, Zurich is striving to make its food operations sustainable on a permanent basis.

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H2 Energy

Sustainable Innovations

Zurich is supporting the switch to electric vehicles. However, Zurich is also convinced that we should not just focus on one drive technology. That is why Zurich is supporting the project by H2 Energy to promote green hydrogen propulsion.

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Climate-neutral investments

Sustainable Investments

Zurich is one of the world's largest investors. The aim is not only to generate the highest possible returns. Environmental and social criteria play a key role too. Our goal is clear: By 2050, all investments are to be 100-percent climate neutral.

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Quai Campus

Sustainable Operations

Our story builds on a great history with the city of Zurich. Nowhere is this reflected better than at our headquarters at Mythenquai – the Quai Campus. It is one of the most sustainable buildings in the world and so is a symbol of our sustainability efforts.

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Sustainable innovations

Zurich e-Car Insurance

Protects against damage to the high-voltage battery, theft of and damage to charging infrastructure at home or in your holiday apartment, and the loss and misuse of charging cards and charging apps.

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