New York, USA - Swiss Re is supporting investments and purchases made by employees that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. The new “COYou2 reduce and gain” program is part of Swiss Re’s commitments supporting the Clinton Global Initiative.

Swiss Re actively contributes to the dialogue and promotes the understanding of climate change, and has set up its own initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions. In 2003, Swiss Re declared that it would make its own operations carbon neutral by 2013. Now, as part of the Clinton Global Initiative, Swiss Re has decided to support measures taken by its employees that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

The “COYou2 reduce and gain” programme supports employees’ investments in measures that contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in relation to mobility, heating and electrical energy. Such measures, which vary according to regional circumstances and preferences, include low-emission hybrid cars, use of public transport, and the installation of solar panels or heat pumps. From now until the end of 2011, Swiss Re will rebate each employee one half of the amount invested in these measures, up to a maximum per employee of CHF 5 000 or the equivalent in local currency.

According to Ivo Menzinger, Head of Sustainability & Emerging Risk Management, who is in charge of the “COYou2 reduce and gain” programme, “Swiss Re is actively engaged in mitigating climate change and its consequences. This programme is an investment that will encourage our employees to make a personal contribution and further raises awareness of the issue.”