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Eco/Invest/Demography

Global investors including insurers urge Brazil to stop deforestation

The 25 European signatories include Norway’s Nordea Asset Management and the Church of England, which has a 2.8 billion pound ($3.5 billion) pension fund. The UK’s Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) is among the largest investors with 1.2 trillion pounds under management.
The letter does not spell out consequences if Brazil’s government does not take action, but seven European financial firms told Reuters last week they could divest from Brazil-linked holdings if environmental destruction continues. Many of those firms also signed the letter to embassies.

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France to rein in reduced-time work scheme as covid crisis eases

From Oct.1,workers will get 60% of their normal gross wages under the scheme, down from 70% currently, President Emmanuel Macron told employers and unions. Meanwhile, the state will reimburse employers up to 60% of the cost, instead of 85% currently.

However, a company can only tap the existing furlough arrangements for up to six months, and on Wednesday the government also outlined a new longer-term programme that is more generous for the employee and company, but demands commitments to safeguarding jobs.

The programme will allow workers to receive up to 70% of gross wages, with the state reimbursing firms up to 85% if the programme is tapped before July and 80% afterwards.

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CCRIF pays Guatemala $3.6 mn under its excess rainfall parametric insurance policy

CCRIF currently has 22 member governments of which three are from Central America – Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala. Since its inception in 2007, CCRIF has made a total of 43 payouts for 21 events (earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and excess rainfall events) to 14 member governments totalling US$155.8 million. CCRIF’s payouts are made within 14 days of an event, allowing governments to begin to address their most pressing needs and close the liquidity gap.

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Fidelis, Aon and Marsh develop Marine Cargo Clause aiming to combat modern slavery

“Forced labor in all its forms is an extreme expression of inequality and injustice. The insurance industry is committed to do all it can to prevent association with the abhorrent practices of modern slavery. We sometimes think that slavery is a thing of the past, but it is not – it is real and present in all societies and we want to do our part to root it out,” said Charles Mathias, group executive director & group chief risk officer, Fidelis Insurance.

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