Allianz pledges £100k to help independent brokers transition to net zero in 2022

Insurer Allianz Insurance has pledged £100,000 to support its independent brokers on the journey towards net zero in 2022.

Net zero refers to negating the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity - this can be achieved by reducing carbon dioxide emissions as well as implementing methods of absorbing the gas from the atmosphere.

Allianz’s new programme - the Allianz Net Zero Accelerator (ANZA) - aims to assist independent brokers to measure and reduce their carbon footprint. 

It will offer selected brokers tailored one-to-one support to help them create a plan to lower their carbon footprint and set reduction targets. Allianz will then offset any emissions which have been measured through the process. 

Allianz Insurance has been carbon neutral since 2012. The insurer is committed to sourcing all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2023. Allianz Group also topped the 2021 Dow Jones Sustainability Index, part of S&P Global, after cutting its carbon footprint globally per employee by 62% compared to 2010.

Nick Hobbs, chief distribution and regions officer at Allianz Insurance, said: “As a business, we set ourselves environmental targets and we are proud of the progress we show year-on-year.

“We want to encourage brokers to achieve the same, so we’re helping them access expertise and [are] also providing financial support. For the overall industry to make a change, we all need to play a part and this is one way that we can support our broker partners.”

Green focus

ANZA is available for brokers to apply for from January 2022.

Independent brokers that work with Allianz and employ up to 50 people can visit the dedicated ANZA page on the Allianz UK website to submit their application in the new year.

The employee count here is not a strict entry criteria, but provides a guide on the size of firm that Allianz is aiming to help with its new initiative.

ANZA aligns with Allianz’s overall focus on sustainability. For example, it favours repairs over replacement in property claims and supports the use of green parts in vehicle repairs.

When moving sites, the insurer recycles office furniture and equipment, as well as opts for buildings with high sustainability ratings.

In October 2021, it told suppliers that its tenders would now apply a 10% weighting for environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.