Reducing energy consumption

In parallel with our switch to using renewable power, we have made continuous efforts to lower the actual amount of energy consumed per employee (FTE) or, in other words, to reduce our energy intensity. Through many small measures to improve energy efficiency and by concentrating back-office tasks in fewer and more energy-efficient buildings, we managed to cut our energy intensity by a total of 46.5% between 2003 and 2013.

For the current phase of our Greenhouse Neutral Programme from 2013 until 2020, our goal is to continuously reduce our energy intensity by 2% per year. At the end of 2018, the total reduction we had reached since 2013 was 28.9%. We partly achieved this by decommissioning existing office buildings and moving into more energy-efficient ones.

We have also continued our efforts to create more flexible and modern office environments that offer our employees optimal working conditions while, at the same time, using space and resources more effectively. The spread of digital communication and devices makes it possible to work seamlessly across different locations and devices, creating the foundation for a more flexible and informal workplace set-up that encourages teamwork. At Swiss Re Next, for example, this open workplace concept is a key feature. Although further reducing our environmental footprint is not the primary driver of these efforts, their potential to lower the energy intensity of our locations is nevertheless substantial.