Aviva has committed to becoming the first insurer to carbon neutralise its operations on a worldwide basis.
The move forms part of Aviva's ongoing programme to limit its environmental impact following its progress on energy efficiency and sourcing of zero emission electricity.
Aviva will offset the remaining emissions – approximately 110,000 tonnes annually - on a retrospective basis starting with emissions generated in 2006. Aviva will compensate for the carbon output of its consumption of non-renewable sourced electricity and gas from buildings and business travel, including air, car and train, across all of its global operations.
In order to neutralise the carbon impact of the whole of the business, Aviva will invest in projects which generate carbon credits. The credits will come from a combination of carbon mitigation methods such as tree planting and renewable energy generation projects which do not release carbon to the atmosphere such as solar or wind power.
Richard Harvey, group chief executive, Aviva said: “Our decision to go carbon neutral is a significant step and one we have not entered into lightly. We believe climate change to be the most important environmental issue facing the world and as a forward thinking company we are playing our part in addressing this challenge and would encourage other businesses to follow suit.”
