To show just how much we want to limit our impact on the environment, in December 2006 we committed to becoming the first insurer to be carbon neutral worldwide. It is a big step, and we will not pretend it will be easy. We have already made a good start by becoming more energy efficient and using more zero emissions electricity. In fact, 55% of the electricity we use globally already comes from zero emissions sources.

Essential business travel and buildings that have to be powered by non-renewable sources mean that we still generate about 125,000 tonnes worldwide. We cannot bring that down to zero, so we are going to offset it. How? By investing in projects that generate carbon credits, such as energy efficiency, fuel displacement and carbon-free energy sources such as wind power.

This is a big challenge, but we believe that climate change is the most important environmental issue that the world faces. As a forward-thinking company, we are doing our bit to address this issue and encourage other businesses to follow suit.