Zurich Insurance has introduced the Zurich Global Green Fund in Malaysia – the insurer’s first sustainability-centric fund in the market.
According to Zurich Malaysia, the move is part of its commitment to generating continuous long-term value by creating a climate-neutral investment as an option in its investment-linked fund portfolio. This fund is accessible through unit-linked life insurance policies that have both protection and investment components.
The fund is aligned with Zurich’s philosophy on sustainable investments and focuses on low-carbon companies and leaders in clean technology to achieve a future where global warming is limited to 1.5°C. The Zurich Global Green Fund invests in companies developing and using clean technologies around the world.
As part of a carbon-neutral investment strategy, Zurich Malaysia has partnered with various carbon offsetting projects that comply with internationally recognised standards. Carbon emissions of the fund’s investments are tracked and offset through verified emission reduction certificates (VERs) from Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve Project, the world’s largest privately funded orangutan sanctuary. According to Zurich, the VERs are cancelled to avoid reuse, and all necessary information to verify the carbon offsetting calculations and proof of VER cancellation will be published in the fund’s annual report for transparency.
“As a responsible insurer, doing well and doing good is not only possible, but necessary,” said Khoo Ai Lin, Zurich Life Insurance Malaysia CEO. “Doing well enables us to generate superior returns for our customers, while by doing good, we have a positive impact on society. As part of the larger Zurich ecosystem, we tap into the international knowledge skills and capabilities to make a difference. Zurich Malaysia wants to give Malaysians the opportunity to invest in a fund that advances sustainability. We believe we can create a brighter future via the positive impact of our role as an insurer, investor and employer in society for all Malaysians.”
