2021 was another challenging year, in many respects. COVID-19 kept changing our everyday lives. The IPCC report in August, referred to as ’Code Red for Humanity’ by many, showed how urgent it is that we think about sustainability and reduce emissions in everything we do, whether we are private individuals or businesses.
If has been working on sustainability for many years, and we have now further increased our scope and ambition level. We have integrated sustainability as part of our strategy, and sustainability is now one of four foundations in our revised strategy framework. If is the largest P&C insurance company in the Nordics, and we want to take leadership and define the sustainability agenda in our industry.
I am particularly proud that we have made environmental impact and human rights part of our insurance terms. We expect sustainable behaviour from our corporate clients, and they must comply with the principles of the UN Global Compact, which include fundamental human rights, labour rights, the environment and anti-corruption.
Another important step is that we have joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and have committed to set ambitious climate targets that are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
By taking such steps, we hope to set an example that others will follow.
We give people confidence today to shape their tomorrow.
– I am truly grateful to our employees for the way they have dealt with the pandemic. Working from home offices, they have managed to provide the same excellent service to our customers, and continued to further develop and improve our service and offerings. I believe that the reason is that If has a strong corporate culture, and we are committed to being by our customers’ side even under extraordinary circumstances. Together we focus on our purpose: ‘We give people confidence today to shape their tomorrow’.
As a company, and in everything we do, we will continue to work towards our ambition of actively contributing to a more sustainable society.
Morten Thorsrud
CEO, If