ILS ESG Transparency Initiative formed, as Swiss group add global ILS managers

The ILS ESG Transparency Initiative has been formed as a new insurance-linked securities (ILS) industry group focused on enhancing environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency in the ILS market, as the Swiss-based working group of ILS managers expands with the addition of international members.

Over a year ago, a group of Switzerland-based insurance-linked securities (ILS) investment fund managers joined in a working group to develop a data transparency proposal to advance environmental, social and governance (ESG) in the ILS market, informally known as the Zurich ILS Working Group.

That ILS ESG-focused working group was set up by founding members: Credit Suisse Insurance-Linked Strategies; LGT ILS Partners; Plenum Investments; Schroders Capital ILS; Solidum Partners; and Twelve Capital.

Now, Artemis has learned that the group has expanded, with the additional of ILS managers based in other countries.

This was after a number of ILS fund managers reached out to the working group, requesting to participate and contribute, as ESG remains a topic that many ILS managers view as important to their businesses and a topic of considerable importance to many investors.

Now, with a broader geographic footprint thanks to the introduction of new members, the group has formalised under a new name of the ILS ESG Transparency Initiative.

The new members to the group are: AXA Investment Managers; Leadenhall Capital Partners; SCOR Investment Partners; Securis Investment Partners; and Tangency Capital.

Meaning that the ILS ESG Transparency Initiative now has participation from ILS investment managers in Bermuda, France, Switzerland and the UK, so  truly global geographic footprint.

Which is positive for ensuring that considerations and regulations are taken into account around the world, as well as investor preferences and motivations towards ESG.

The goal remains the same, as one of improving ESG-related data and disclosure across ILS transactions.

Already the group has had significant success, just with its Zurich, Switzerland members, having increased market awareness of ESG, while also actively improving ESG data and disclosure in certain ILS transactions.

It will be interesting to see whether additional members join the group in time, giving it an even more global focus.

ESG investing and the opportunities it presents remain an area of focus for the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market. Read more of our insights on this topic here.