Wawanesa signs the UN Priniciples for Sustainable Insurance
WINNIPEG, MB – To help build more resilient communities, the Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company (Wawanesa) announced today that it has become a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI). This global sustainability framework under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the largest collaborative initiative between the UN and the insurance industry.
“We’re committed to building safer, healthier and more sustainable communities at Wawanesa,” said Kimberly Palatnick, Chief Strategy & Member Experience Officer for Wawanesa. “As a mutual insurer, we’re proud to join the UNEP and other PSI signatories on priority issues affecting our members and communities.”
As a signatory of the PSI, Wawanesa’s five focus areas for a more sustainable, equitable, climate-resilient future for its members and communities include:
- Sustainable Solutions: Create solutions to encourage sustainable behaviours and help prevent or reduce future losses.
- Sustainable Operations: Lead by example and embed sustainability into day-to-day activities.
- Sustainable Investing: Use the power of investment assets to support sustainability and resilient infrastructure.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure active and collaborative dialogue that moves sustainability and climate issues forward.
- Transparency & Disclosure: Demonstrate accountability for commitments and actions.
Further as a signatory, Wawanesa joins other like-minded insurers in following the four Principles and commits to managing and monitoring risks and opportunities associated with environmental, social and governance issues.
Recent examples of Wawanesa’s increasing commitment to sustainability include the launch of their Eco-Friendly Homes and Stronger Homes products, setting internal emission targets, and using their expertise to advocate for changes to building codes that make homes more resilient to climate change. They’ve also committed $2 million annually to their new community impact program called Wawanesa Climate Champions which provides funding to support people and organizations working on the front lines to improve climate resiliency in communities across Canada.
For more information about the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance, visit: https://www.unepfi.org/psi/
About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, founded in 1896, is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, with over $4 billion in annual revenue and assets of $12 billion. Wawanesa Mutual, with executive offices in Winnipeg, is the parent company of Wawanesa General, which offers property and casualty insurance in California and Oregon; Wawanesa Life, which provides life insurance products and services throughout Canada; and Western Financial Group, which distributes personal and business insurance across Canada. Wawanesa proudly serves more than two million policyholders in Canada and the United States. Wawanesa actively gives back to organizations that strengthen communities where it operates, donating well above internationally recognized benchmarks for excellence in corporate philanthropy.
Learn more at wawanesa.com
For more information:
Brad Hartle
Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Phone: 1-844-946-6282
media@wawanesa.com