Aviva is committed to becoming the first insurer to carbon neutralise its operations on a worldwide basis. This is an important further step in our efforts to limit our environmental impact, following our progress with energy efficiency and use of zero emission electricity. For example, 55% of electricity used by Aviva globally is obtained from zero emission sources.

We shall offset the remaining emissions – about 125,000 tonnes a year group-wide – on a retrospective basis, starting with 2006. We will achieve this by compensating for carbon output from our use of non-renewable sourced electricity and gas in buildings and business travel by investing in projects that generate carbon credits. The credits will come from carbon mitigation methods, such as tree planting, and renewable energy generation projects that do not release carbon to the atmosphere, such as solar or wind power.

Our decision to go carbon neutral is a significant step. We believe climate change to be the most important environmental issue facing the world. As a forward thinking company, we are playing our part in addressing this challenge and would encourage other businesses to follow suit.