As insurer’s shares hit highest level since 2008, CEO says green issues are also important for many of its clients
Aviva’s chief executive, Amanda Blanc, has reiterated the insurer’s commitment to climate goals in the face of growing pushback against net zero ambitions in the US and UK.
Her comments came as Aviva’s shares on Thursday hit their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis, with investors cheering a rise in profits, and fresh payouts for investors, worth 13.1p a share.
Blanc told journalists that the insurer was not wavering on climate transition plans, which she said were an important step in responding to a further rise in extreme weather events affecting its insurance business.
“We remain committed to our ambition,” she said on Thursday. “It’s also an important priority for many of our clients, but I would always put this into the context of extreme weather conditions, climate change and the impact that that has on our insurance business that actually insures properties.”
