Climate change has been on the agenda for Allianz Group for a number of years. In different ways, Allianz Group companies around the world are taking action and have found partners to protect our climate.

Allianz in Austria joined the WWF Climate Group on January 24. Its members commit themselves to a 15 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions within the next three years.

Allianz Austria is a "first mover" in the market: in just two years, it has already reduced its electricity consumption by 20 and gas consumption by 40 percent. For example, the company has introduced new kitchen equipment, uses energy from IT waste heat and has modernized its heating system. Also, the "paperless" office has become reality in its customer service department.

The company also develops new insurance products, such as "Eco Bonus", that encourage environment-friendly actions. All employees are encouraged to come up with new ideas. "Safety and a sustainable protection of our natural resources are core issues for an insurance company in several respects," said CEO Wolfram Littich.

In the UK, Allianz Insurance is one of the key signatories of a major new UK insurance industry initiative. ClimateWise was launched last September with Prince Charles as a founding member.

ClimateWise aims to tackle the challenges of climate change by encouraging companies and organizations to build the issue into their business operations. "The diverse nature of our industry means that different organizations will be able to take action in different ways on these principles," said Allianz Insurance CEO Andrew Torrance.

A number of projects are already underway at Allianz Insurance to implement the ClimateWise principles: part of its investment portfolio includes renewable energy funds – several of which are Allianz products – and its risk analysis and product development are also aligned with the principles.

The company also offers motor policy holders nationwide the choice of using recycled parts for certain motor repairs. Within Allianz Insurance itself, a pilot is being run in partnership with the environmental charity Global Action Plan, aimed at helping employees to look at and improve their everyday behavior regarding waste and energy. A company-wide roll-out of the Global Action Plan initiative is expected in 2008.

Allianz Australia is the founding sponsor of a project by Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens to save rainforest species. "Seeds for the Future" will collect seeds of rainforest plants, which are particularly sensitive to even small changes in their environment. In Australia, only isolated pockets of some rainforest species remain, not allowing any migration of species as the climate changes.

Terry Towell, Allianz Australia Managing Director, said: "Allianz is always looking for practical ways in which it can contribute to meeting the challenges of climate change and the Botanic Garden’s 'Seeds for the Future' project provided a perfect opportunity for this."

"Seedbanking allows scientists to study the plants closely and to predict how changes may affect plants in the wild," added Cathy Offord of Mount Annan Botanic Garden which hosts the actual seed bank.

After Allianz provided more than half the necessary funding, the Royal Botanic Gardens was able to quickly find other benefactors needed to ensure the project could get off the ground.

Allianz Italy and WWF Italia agreed to create the San Felice Oasis in Marina di Grosseto, one of the longest and best conserved stretches of Tyrrhenian coast in Tuscany. Allianz, formerly RAS, has owned this jewel of the Maremma dune system since 1941. In April 2007, it agreed to manage the area following the rigorous WWF criteria. Nature paths were created and first steps were taken to protect the dune flora.

The 50-hectare San Felice Oasis will be inaugurated and opened to the public on the occasion of the WWF Oasis Day on May 25, 2008.

"The collaboration between Allianz and WWF in Italy began in 2006 with the 'GenerAzione Clima' project aimed at raising public awareness about saving energy. The San Felice Oasis is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to protecting Italy's natural heritage", said Marco Plazzotta, chairman of Allianz's agricultural section in Italy.

The company's commitment is not limited to this project: Allianz in Italy also monitors its own environmental impact.


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