Pioneering Sustainability in the Insurance Sector

The organisation, founded by Daniel Perkin, has rapidly evolved from providing tailored business insurance solutions to becoming a catalyst for environmental change within the industry. By integrating sustainability principles into its core operations and service offerings, R1SE not only protects businesses against traditional risks but also helps them navigate the complexities of climate transition.

Carbon-Neutral Operations

R1SE Insurance began its sustainability journey by addressing its own carbon footprint. The company conducted a comprehensive emissions assessment across all operations, establishing 2024 as its baseline year for measuring progress.

The assessment revealed that the majority of R1SE’s direct emissions came from office energy consumption and business travel. In response, the company implemented a robust carbon reduction strategy focusing on these key areas. Energy efficiency improvements at the company headquarters resulted in a 30% reduction in consumption within the first year of implementation.

The broker transitioned to 100% renewable energy for all its facilities, partnering with local green energy providers. This switch eliminated approximately 45 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Additionally, R1SE established a progressive remote working policy, reducing commuting emissions while maintaining team cohesion through well-structured digital collaboration.

Business travel, another significant source of emissions, underwent strategic optimisation. The company implemented a travel hierarchy system prioritising virtual meetings whenever feasible, and when travel proved necessary, train journeys replaced short-haul flights. For unavoidable emissions, R1SE established a carbon offsetting programme supporting verified projects in renewable energy and reforestation initiatives.

Sustainable Product Innovation

Recognising the broader influence of insurance products on client behaviour, R1SE developed a suite of climate-conscious insurance solutions designed to incentivise sustainable practices across various sectors.

The company launched specialised renewable energy insurance products tailored for businesses investing in solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies. These offerings provide comprehensive coverage for technological risks, performance shortfalls, and business interruption, removing significant barriers to renewable energy adoption for small and medium enterprises.

R1SE also pioneered insurance products specifically designed for carbon reduction projects, offering coverage for risks associated with carbon capture technologies, sustainable agriculture practices, and verified carbon offset initiatives. These innovative products facilitate greater investment in climate solutions by providing financial security against the uncertainties inherent in emerging green technologies.

For property owners, R1SE introduced sustainable building insurance featuring preferential rates for properties meeting specific environmental standards. The coverage includes enhanced protection for green building features and guarantees reconstruction using sustainable materials and methods in the event of damage.

Most notably, the company developed a climate transition support package for businesses undertaking decarbonisation efforts. This comprehensive solution combines risk assessment, insurance coverage, and advisory services to help clients navigate the complex journey towards carbon neutrality.

Supply Chain Engagement

Understanding that meaningful sustainability requires addressing indirect emissions, R1SE developed a pioneering approach to supply chain management focused on emissions reduction and climate resilience.

The company established clear sustainability criteria for its suppliers, requiring them to disclose carbon footprints and set meaningful reduction targets. Through a phased implementation strategy, R1SE worked with existing suppliers to improve their environmental performance while gradually introducing minimum sustainability standards for new procurement relationships.

The broker created a supplier sustainability scoring system, which factored into all procurement decisions alongside traditional considerations such as cost and quality. This approach incentivised suppliers to improve their environmental performance to maintain their relationship with R1SE.

Beyond mere requirements, R1SE took an active role in supporting its supply chain partners through the sustainability transition. The company organised regular knowledge-sharing sessions, providing smaller suppliers with practical guidance on emissions measurement, reduction strategies, and sustainable business practices.

Particularly innovative was R1SE’s collaborative approach to tackling emissions hotspots identified through supply chain analysis. By bringing together multiple suppliers facing similar challenges, the company facilitated the development of shared solutions and economies of scale in implementing sustainability measures.

Industry Leadership and Partnerships

R1SE recognised early that achieving meaningful climate impact required collaboration beyond its organisational boundaries. The company took deliberate steps to amplify its influence through strategic partnerships and industry engagement.

As a signatory to the UN Environment Programme’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI), R1SE committed to embedding environmental, social, and governance considerations into its decision-making processes. This framework guides the company’s approach to risk assessment, product development, and investment strategies.

The broker actively participates in the Insurance Taskforce established by the Sustainable Markets Initiative, collaborating with industry peers to accelerate the transition towards sustainable insurance practices. Through this collective, R1SE contributes to developing innovative solutions that support green innovation and climate resilience.

Locally, R1SE established partnerships with environmental organisations and academic institutions to enhance its sustainability expertise and contribute to research on climate risk. These collaborations provide valuable insights that inform both internal practices and client advisory services.

A particularly successful initiative was R1SE’s educational programme for SME clients, providing accessible information on climate risks, regulatory changes, and practical decarbonisation strategies. By demystifying complex sustainability concepts, R1SE empowers smaller businesses to take meaningful climate action.

Future Roadmap

Building on its achievements to date, R1SE has established an ambitious roadmap for its continuing sustainability journey. The company has committed to achieving carbon neutrality in its operations by 2026 and absolute zero emissions by 2030, significantly ahead of industry standards.

Beyond its own operations, R1SE aims to align its entire business portfolio with net-zero targets. This includes developing science-based criteria for assessing clients’ climate strategies and gradually increasing the proportion of the portfolio meeting these standards.

Innovation remains central to R1SE’s approach, with ongoing research and development focused on insurance solutions for emerging green technologies. The company has allocated significant resources to understanding the risk profiles of these technologies to develop appropriate coverage that facilitates their mainstream adoption.

R1SE plans to expand its climate advisory services, recognising that many clients require support in understanding and addressing their climate impacts. By combining insurance expertise with sustainability knowledge, R1SE aims to position itself as a trusted partner in the low-carbon transition.

The company continues to advocate for industry-wide change, actively participating in policy discussions around climate risk disclosure and sustainable finance. Through these efforts, R1SE demonstrates how smaller, specialised insurance brokers can play a significant role in advancing the sustainability agenda.

As Daniel Perkin, Founder of R1SE Insurance, explains: “The insurance industry has a dual responsibility in addressing climate change. We must both prepare for its impacts through appropriate risk assessment and facilitate the transition to a low-carbon economy through our products and partnerships. At R1SE, we embrace this responsibility not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic opportunity to create lasting value for our clients and society.”