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Santam joins global climate change organisation
South Africa's leading short-term insurer, Santam is taking
pro-active steps to address climate change and announced today that
it has joined ClimateWise, a global industry initiative aimed at
influencing debate and decision-making on this critical challenge.
Through ClimateWise, Santam will now have a voice at the UN climate
change negotiations in Copenhagen in December this year.
Hendri Nigrini, Executive Head of Risk Services at Santam said:
'Climate change cannot be ignored or avoided and there are limits
as to how much climate risk can be transferred to the insurance
industry. As a society we need to reduce the risk of environmental
catastrophes occurring in the longer term.
'We at Santam are serious about our journey. We believe every
small act is important, as it all adds up. We are therefore keen to
learn from like-minded peers in the ClimateWise group. We also want
to work together with them to address the risks, and then share the
opportunities to make a positive impact with our clients.'
Santam is the first South African and African insurance company to
join ClimateWise. ClimateWise members are now on three continents,
Europe, North America and Africa, and all will have a voice at the
UN discussions on issues such as the reduction in greenhouse gases
and the intended formation of a new treaty to replace the Kyoto
Protocol of 1997.
Andrew Torrance, ClimateWise Chairman added that he was delighted
to welcome Santam.
'Climate change demands an urgent and transformational change in
the way we manage our global economy. There is a climate crisis
which poses a systemic risk to the global economy and which must be
tackled now. ClimateWise's members, leading insurance industry
participants drawn from right across the globe, understand the need
for action and will continue to influence the debate to achieve
this.'
About ClimateWise:
ClimateWise is the insurance sector initiative of The Prince of
Wales's Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change, run by the
University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership
(CPSL). CPSL works with business, government and civil society to
build the capacity of leaders to meet both the needs of society and
address critical global challenges. HRH The Prince of Wales is the
Patron of CPSL.
