Zurich Insurance sustainability score: 50/100

Zurich publishes annual GHG Protocol-aligned Scope 1 and 2 emissions with third-party limited assurance. Targets: 50% reduction per employee by 2025, net-zero operations by 2030 from 2019 baseline. However, real estate emissions are reported with four-quarter lag, limiting 2024 full-year data granularity in current reporting.

Zurich uses PCAF Insured Asset Emissions methodology for large corporate customers (Scope 1-2 only, base 2022). Procurement targets: 75% of $2B managed spend with science-based targets by 2025. Critics note Scope 3 (75–80% of oil/gas sector emissions) is absent from transition planning.

Operational targets: 50% absolute by 2025, 70% by 2029, net-zero by 2030. Insured emissions target is intensity-based: 20% reduction by 2030. Critics note this falls below NZIA minimum (34% absolute) and IPCC 1.5°C requirement (43% absolute).

Zurich committed to 100% renewable power by end 2022 as RE100 member (joined 2019). Confirmed sourcing 100% renewable electricity as of 2023. No evidence of additionality verification or new capacity PPAs beyond internal operations.

Supports Instituto Terra Atlantic Forest reforestation (Zurich Forest) and holds $7.9bn impact investment portfolio with nature components. No TNFD-aligned disclosure found; not on TNFD early adopters list. No quantified nature footprint for underwriting or investment portfolio.

Targets: 50% CO2e reduction from printed paper by 2023, 70% by 2025 (against 2019). Single-use plastic eliminated. Supplier sustainability embedded in Code of Conduct. No comprehensive circularity or verified targets beyond paper/office waste.

As global insurer, water impact limited to office buildings. Published client-facing water infrastructure research with Economist Impact. No formal water reduction programme or quantified water footprint in public results. Operational water impact negligible.

Operational targets solid (50% GHG per employee by 2025, net-zero operations 2030, 100% renewable electricity). However: November 2025 SBTi FINZ validation withdrawn; insured emissions target is 20% intensity-only by 2030 (below IPCC 43% science); left NZIA April 2023. Carbon removal quality not independently verified.

Chief Sustainability Officer appointed; TCFD-aligned, CSRD double materiality assessed (2024), Swiss climate ordinance compliant. Reasonable assurance on environmental KPIs; shareholder AGM voting on sustainability. Executive LTIP linked to emissions reduction (~90% CO2e coverage). Some subsidiaries excluded from emissions boundary.

Ranked 6th largest fossil fuel insurer globally (~$520M annual oil/gas premiums). Ceased new oil/gas extraction underwriting April 2024, but existing portfolios continue. Left NZIA April 2023 citing 'political and bureaucratic' concerns; published transition plan 12+ months late with below-science targets. Withdrew from SBTi FINZ November 2025. No upheld environmental regulatory actions found.