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We support an orderly and inclusive transition to a net-zero emissions economy, aligned with limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of 2100. We recognise the importance of addressing climate change and incorporating climate-related risk and opportunities into our decision-making, facilitating a resilient future for our business and our customers. 

In 2019, over 100 employees from QBE in the Group Shared Services Centre (GSSC) based in the Philippines, planted mangrove propagules along the beach in the city of Naga, in Cebu, Philippines. Four years later, team members visited the original planting site and were welcomed by the sight of surviving mangroves which have assisted in providing the surrounding community with a safety barrier from previous storm surges.  

Cebu Island in the Philippines has a coastline that stretches over hundreds of miles, and many residents who live in this area rely on mangroves to help protect them from the impacts of extreme weather conditions. With around 20 cyclones entering the Phillippe Area of Responsibility each year, severe weather remains a serious risk for families living by the sea.1  

Through the QBE Foundation, we’re helping to create strong, resilient, and inclusive communities. Together with the GSSC’s partner foundation ‘Philippine Business for Social Progress’ (PBSP) we have helped reforest mangrove areas in the southern coastline of Cebu. 

“During the time of Typhoon Odette (2021), we didn’t feel scared because we knew the mangroves would protect us. The water rose to waist level, it entered our home, but did not cause as much damage as it could have because the winds brought by Odette were shielded by mangroves” - Teodelyn Lapitan, Community Resident. 

In February 2023, over 100 QBE employees planted mangroves at a second site in Carcar City, Cebu. The team of volunteers helped plant 10,000 propagules; and the activity coincided with GSSC’s 10th anniversary of operations in the Philippines. 

  

1https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/philippines/vulnerability 

In 2023 we progressed our commitment to net zero by 2030 for our global operations. Across each of our divisions, we formed working groups to identify further initiatives to reduce our operational emissions. As such, we continue to transition our fleet to low-emissions vehicles, where infrastructure is available to do so and optimise our office space, releasing surplus floorspace and improving resource efficiency, where possible.  

To further embed climate considerations into operational decision-making, we have set our internal carbon price at $65 per metric tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent. We will use this to support internal investment in emission reduction initiatives as well as any expenditure required to maintain our environmental commitments. 

Please see our Net-zero operational roadmap below that illustrates how we plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. 

Across our operations, we keep our people connected to our sustainability agenda and informed about the actions they can take to live more sustainably. 

During 2023, we conducted a global survey, which explored questions on commute transport type, renewable electricity and gas usage, and received a 25% response rate. We plan to use these insights to better support our people by giving them guidance on switching to renewable energy, reducing energy use, and sourcing hybrid or electric vehicles, as well as encouraging public transport use, where available.