Memberships

A large number of bodies and initiatives profit from the know-how and experience of our experts. And since sustainability is inextricably linked with the Munich Re Group’s business model, we advocate the principles of sustainable development there too.

The expertise of Munich Re and ERGO is generally held in high esteem, whether we are talking about insurance issues, accounting, or the impact of climate change.

Our work is dedicated to ensuring that risks continue to remain calculable, insurable and manageable. With our knowledge of risk, we are ideally placed to heighten the awareness of politicians and the general public regarding climate change and thus initiate necessary measures to mitigate the consequences.

The following are among the bodies and organisations in which we play an active role in the area of climate protection:

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  The Global Roundtable on Climate Change was initiated in 2005 by leading economist Jeffrey Sachs at the Earth Institute of Columbia University. The body includes high-ranking experts from various international companies and organisations.
  In February 2007, it published a declaration calling on the international community of states to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Munich Re is one of the signatories to this declaration, alongside some 100 international companies as well as authorities, research institutes and NGOs.
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  The Financial Initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP FI) promotes understanding in the financial sector in respect of climate change. Munich Re became a member in 1999 and is one of the signatories to the joint declaration of the UNEP FI on climate change. The declaration, published on 5 June 2007, called for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and signatories are committed to the principle of sustainable economic development.
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  In the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) Munich Re cooperates with around 160 international firms to establish global emissions trading aimed at combating greenhouse gases.
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  Munich Re is one of the first companies to sign up to ClimateWise, an initiative developed by leading global insurers, reinsurers, brokers, Lloyd’s of London and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) in which the companies have pledged to rigorously scrutinise the risks caused by climate change and to support the cause of climate protection. The ClimateWise principles were unveiled in London on 13 September in the presence of HRH Prince Charles.

Since August 2007, the Munich Re Group has been a signatory to the United Nations’ Global Compact initiative, which works to advance ten international principles for companies and organisations in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. In this way, we commit ourselves to protect human rights, prevent forced and compulsory as well as child labour, promote environmental protection, and combat corruption. Adherence to the highest ethical standards is axiomatic for Munich Re and is clearly stipulated in our code of conduct.

Besides that, we play an active part in associations that impact the general conditions of our business. For example, the Munich Re Group is engaged in the German Insurance Association (GDV), the umbrella organisation of private insurers in Germany. As such, the GDV represents the positions adopted by the German insurance industry not only in the political arena but also in society and in the world of industry, media and science. It also works towards achieving the necessary economic and regulatory framework for the insurance industry.