We are proactive in our bid to improve our CSR performance. Working with other organisations helps us to focus on key projects, contributing ideas, expertise and our own experiences.

• Under the leadership of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), we were one of 10 original companies to co-author the ClimateWise principles launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in September. The group is currently developing a guide to demonstrate how the principles can be put into practice, and we are committed to reporting annually on progress.
• As a member of The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Climate Change Task Force, our group chief executive Andrew Moss contributed to Climate Change: Everyone’s Business, published in November. The report assesses the challenges posed by climate change and identifies actions necessary to meet the Government’s carbon emissions reduction target. Our carbon offset programme was also the subject of a case study.
• Aviva is one of three organisations to participate in a new reporting tool created by HRH The Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability project. The Connected Reporting Framework is designed to help companies report on both financial and sustainability issues.
• FORGE V – Managing Climate Change in Financial Services is the latest in a series of CSR projects that Aviva and nine other companies have contributed to, resulting in A Guidance Framework of Climate Change for Financial Services Companies. A set of employee engagement materials for member companies has also been produced, and integrated into our CSR toolkit.
• We are a member of the United Nations Global Compact, which promotes responsible business in the areas of environment, labour, human rights and anti-corruption. We continue to play an active part in the UK network of the Global Compact, while some of our businesses also engage in local country networks.
• We take a leading role in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) Financial Services Purchasing Forum, a group of senior procurement executives from leading financial services companies, and chair the sub-group dedicated to setting standards and embedding CSR in the supply chain.
• To promote links between the environment, sustainability and financial performance, Aviva participates in three working groups of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative: Asset Management; General Insurance, which published Insuring for Sustainability, a report featuring two case studies on Norwich Union; and Climate Change, which created a Climate Change Declaration for member companies to endorse.
• Aviva continues to strengthen its diversity commitment, share best practices, and discuss challenges and opportunities through membership of the ORC Global Diversity Forum. We are also a member of the UK ORC forum.
• The www.leadershipandresponsibility.com website went live in April, highlighting our relationship with business school INSEAD, where Aviva’s group HR director John Ainley took responsibility for the Aviva Chair in Leadership and Responsibility. The Chair was created to explore the responsibilities associated with the position of influence held by business leaders and organisations, particularly those in financial services.
• We launched our ’Respect Diversity’ toolkit to HR professionals from a number of leading FTSE100 companies. The event was held to share best practice within the HR community and featured a demonstration of the toolkit as well as presentations on how we embed diversity within our organisation.