Being a responsible investor

We are convinced that integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into our investment portfolio makes economic sense. Our Responsible Investing strategy is based on the three cornerstones Enhancement, Inclusion and Exclusion while integrating climate action.

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2021 highlights:

USD 3.9 billion

Amount of green, social and sustainability bonds held at the end of 2021, which is more than 96% of our 2024 target of USD 4bn


–34%

Reduction of the carbon intensity¹ of our corporate bond and listed equity portfolio in 2021, relative to base year 2018


66%

Share of our listed equity mandate holdings engaged on “Alignment of Business Model with 1.5°C Target”


Launched the ”Responsible Investments – Our roadmap to net zero” publication to show how we are addressing climate change in our investment portfolio

For a full overview of highlights per asset class, see “Overview of ESG considerations in Swiss Re's investment portfolio”

“We make the world more resilient” is Swiss Re vision. More than ten years ago, our Asset Management unit embarked on a journey to not only generate stable, risk-adjusted long-term returns, but to also consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects in our investment decisions. With this approach, our Asset Management has been steadily contributing to the Group’s vision of making the world more resilient.

Responsible investing: past milestones

The following selected milestones have marked Swiss Re’s journey to act as a responsible investor:


Cutting our carbon footprint

Achieved a significant reduction of the carbon footprint of our corporate bond and listed equities portfolio since the start of measurement in 2015


ESG benchmarks

In 2017, switched to ESG benchmarks consisting of better ESG-rated companies for our actively managed listed equity and corporate bond portfolios; to date, ESG benchmarks have outperformed traditional benchmarks²


PRI Leaders’ Group

Validated for the PRI Leaders’ Group on “asset owners’ selection, appointment and monitoring of external managers in listed equity and/or private equity” in 2019


Net-zero commitment

In 2019, made commitment to achieve a net-zero investment portfolio by 2050 as a founding member of the UN-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance


Engagement Framework

Implemented our proprietary Engagement Framework in collaboration with our listed equity managers in 2020

  1. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to revenues, expressed in tonnes CO2e/USDm sales, covering Scope 1 and 2
  2. On a 3-year rolling basis, based on risk-adjusted return

Being a responsible investor
Our Responsible Investing strategy
How we engage
Responsible investing governance framework