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Press release 28.02.2023

A further step
towards a low carbon economy

A further step towards a low carbon economy

Press release 28.02.2023

Today, SERV published its guideline for the implementation of support for the clean energy transition. From now on, SERV will no longer provide direct support to the international energy sector, which remains fully focused on the use of fossil fuels. This is in line with the COP26 Statement which Switzerland signed in November 2021 in Glasgow. Exceptions will be made in clearly defined cases.

In November 2021, Switzerland signed the COP26 Statement in Glasgow. It is aimed at ending public support for the fossil energy sector, except in clearly defined and justified cases that are consistent with the 1.5°C global warming limit and the goals of the Paris Agreement. Because the requirements of the Statement also apply to SERV’s insurance products, it has developed guideline for meeting them. By publishing the guideline in line with both the COP26 Statement and its climate strategy​​​​​​​, SERV is taking a further step to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Scope of the guideline
The guideline relates to the fossil energy sector. It does not cover the decommissioning of existing plants or projects to reduce environmental pollution or CO2 emissions caused by existing infrastructure, provided that their service life or capacity is not extended. All other activities in the fossil energy sector will be assessed to determine whether they are aligned with the Paris Agreement. Fossil-fuel-related exports that do not come directly from the energy sector but from other carbon-intensive industries (e.g. waste management, transport, manufacturing including cement and fertiliser production, district heating, building technology and agriculture) do not fall under the COP26 Statement and this guideline.

In practice, the guideline is supplemented by an assessment methodology, in which the corresponding criteria is described in detail. When deciding whether to insure specific transactions, SERV has already started using this methodology alongside the usual risk assessments and in accordance with the other legal requirements. The methodology is still in its test phase and will also be published shortly.

Questions? Contact:

Simon Denoth

Simon
Denoth

Senior Vice President, Public & Government Relations
+41 58 551 5524
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Press release (pdf)