Overview: How we addressed our Sustainability Topics in 2019

We address our Sustainability Topics across the different areas of our business where they are relevant. These implementation areas are listed below and provide the basic chapter structure for our 2019 Sustainability Report:

Business solutions

Within our core business of re/insurance, we strive to develop innovative solutions that help tackle key environmental and social challenges. To achieve this, we work with our clients and partners in both the private and public sectors.

Risk intelligence

We develop and apply tailor-made tools to extend the scope of our risk management. This enables us to identify and appropriately address sustainability-related and emerging risks in our core business.

Investments

We integrate ESG criteria across our investment portfolio. Our approach is based on the three strategic pillars Enhancement, Inclusion and Exclusion.

Stakeholder dialogue

Through regular dialogue with our clients, investors and other stakeholders, we help develop effective responses to sustainability and other key issues, by raising awareness of both the risks and opportunities arising from them.

Our own footprint

We apply best-practice standards of resource management to our properties and logistic operations as well as guidelines to our sourcing activities. In doing so, we continually reduce Swiss Re’s direct environmental impact.

Our people

Drawing on the know-how and experience of a diverse, multigenerational group of people, we want to ensure our employees can contribute to an organisation that is constantly looking for new ways to improve the wellbeing of society – where how we achieve results is as important as what we achieve.

Corporate governance and compliance

By adhering to the highest standards of governance and compliance, we seek to maintain effective checks and balances between the top corporate bodies and to ensure the application of laws, rules and regulations, and ethical standards in our business. Swiss Re’s commitment to sustainability is fully integrated into our Code of Conduct.

Active in society

Playing an active role in society beyond our core business is important to us. Globally, we empower vulnerable communities to become more resilient to risk and, where we have offices, we encourage volunteering activities and support local institutions.

Within these core chapters, the content primarily reflects our three 2030 Sustainability Ambitions and other Sustainability Topics, as displayed and described in Our Sustainability Topics, SDG links, targets & key achievements. Our activities as an active citizen in society are described in detail in the separate Activity Report published by the Swiss Re Foundation.