Large insurance broker commits to become 'plastic-neutral'

Independent insurance broker  Howden has partnered with ocean clean-up organisation Seven Clean Seas (SCS) to help achieve its goal of becoming "plastic-neutral".

The broker has pledged to reduce its plastic consumption, and offset the rest, as part of its wider commitment to curb the impact of its business on the environment.

SCS will help Howden to measure and reduce its plastic consumption, and then to offset what remains. Howden said so far it has offset over 66,000kg of plastic - the estimated amount used by its workforce during 2020. The Group is also helping SCS to remove plastic from the marine environment through its Foundation’s funding of SCS’ innovative River Plastic Recovery System.

The partnership with SCS will complement Howden’s existing initiatives aimed at minimising its impact on the environment, such as its ongoing strategic partnership with The Nature Conservancy, who have offset 25,000 tonnes of CO2, on behalf of the Group, through the purchase of certified carbon credits for projects in Africa.

David Howden (pictured), CEO of Howden Group Holdings, said: “Our job as an insurance group is to mitigate risks, so while we’re looking at what products we need to develop to help our clients respond to increasingly prevalent ESG risks, we equally need to look internally and curb the impact our own businesses are having on the environment. Our partnership with Seven Cleans Seas is an important part of this."

“Plastic pollution is a major risk to the health of our oceans and wildlife, and, potentially, to human health. Plastic accounts for 12% of total oil consumption, so using it is also directly contributing to climate change," he added. “By entering this partnership, Howden sees a real opportunity to engage employees, clients and the insurance industry to take proactive steps in tackling the plastic problem before it is too late.”

Tom Peacock-Nazil, founder of Seven Clean Seas, commented: “Our partnership with Howden has come at a pivotal moment for Seven Clean Seas. Howden’s funding has enabled us to take our River Plastic Recovery System from design to prototype this year, while the Group’s wider commitment to reducing its own plastic consumption is the type of action we’re calling employers to make across the globe to minimise their plastic footprint and the devastating consequences of plastic pollution."

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