Environmental, Social & Governance

Environmental awareness, social responsibility and sound governance shape the decisions we make – both in our day-to-day operations and in the business we choose to support.

At business level, CSR and CAS are committed to reducing the environmental impact associated with their underwriting activities, supporting the insurance industry’s broader transition towards a net-zero economy.

CSR and CAS refrain from working with companies that cause irreversible damage to the environment, especially within ecologically sensitive areas.

At an operational level, CSR and CAS optimise their ecological footprint by employing various sustainability strategies and small day-to-day actions:

• Using water and energy responsibly, including limiting additional heating and switching off unnecessary lighting
• Choosing non-toxic products, including cleaning supplies
• Sorting and recycling waste

CSR and CAS have assisted with the humanitarian efforts resulting from the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine (widely known as the breadbasket of the world). This includes but is not limited to insuring cargos of cereals hat leave the Black Sea ports. Furthermore, CSR is not involved in insuring any shipments of munition or sanctioned goods into the conflict zone. 

CSR and CAS act daily and proactively in favour of

• Human rights as stated in the International Bill of Human Rights 

• Labour rights as mentioned in the Conventions of the International Labour Organization such as freedom from forced labour; freedom from child labour or any other form of modern slavery; freedom from discrimination at work; freedom of association and right to collective bargaining, right to safe working conditions

• Team health & safety, both physically and mentally, also through participative management

• Team diversity & inclusion without any discrimination (gender, handicap, race, religion); despite being boutique CSR and CAS are proud to represent a diverse cross-section of society  supporting gender parity, skills and career development.  

• CSR and CAS employ highly skilled staff from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures and nationalities from five different countries. Staff are located across Europe with a female/male ratio of 22%. CSR and CAS ensure that the opinions and voices of all employees are heard and taken into account in the decision-making process

• Customer welfare; CSR and CAS help businesses to stay in business by enabling & protecting and by ensuring the prompt payment of invoices to assist with companies cashflow

• Community support; CSR and CAS refrain working with companies that do not hold the same values as us, for example those that are complicit in severe human rights violations (e.g. impacts on local communities), engage in practices that pollute local environments and do not respect the rights and liberties of local populations. 

As part of our social commitment, Corporate Special Risks supports the Rallye du Cœur Paris, an annual event dedicated to children affected by cancer and to funding childhood cancer research. Our team takes part in the event to help raise funds and awareness, while supporting an initiative that brings joy and memorable experiences to children and their families. We are proud to make this annual participation part of our ongoing commitment to making a positive impact beyond our daily business.

CSR and CAS are fully committed to 

• The highest standards of business ethics and integrity

• Full compliance to the letter and spirit of all legal and regulatory frameworks

• Adherence to best practices for all sensitive governance topics: Money Laundering, Bribery, Criminal Activity and Whistleblowing

• Ongoing dialogue and constructive cooperation with all stakeholders.

• Extra-financial matters

• IT security

• Not working with companies showing poor corporate behaviour (e.g. bribery leading to environmental damage or human rights violations)

We are genuinely committed to all aspects of ESG!

Memorandum as at 17 03 2023.