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Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment. The challenging intersection of private asset management, public good protection, consumer protection and other public policy goals. 21 May 2010 Lindene Patton Chief Climate Product Officer Zurich Financial Services.
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Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment The challenging intersection of private asset management, public good protection, consumer protection and other public policy goals 21 May 2010 Lindene Patton Chief Climate Product Officer Zurich Financial Services
Disclaimer The information in this publication was compiled from sources believed to be reliable for informational purposes only. All information herein should serve as a guideline which you can use at your risk. We trust that you will use this information to reflect on your own studies, operations and believe that these samples may serve as a helpful platform for this endeavor. Any and all information contained herein is not intended to constitute legal advice and accordingly, you should consult with your own attorneys when developing programs and policies. We do not guarantee the accuracy of this information or any results and further assume no liability in connection with this publication, its contents and sample policies and procedures, including any information, methods or safety suggestions contained herein. Moreover, Zurich reminds you that this cannot be assumed to contain every acceptable safety and compliance procedure or that additional procedures might not be appropriate under the circumstances The subject matter of this publication is not tied to any specific insurance product nor will adopting these policies and procedures ensure coverage under any insurance policy. Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
The Challenge… • Integration of the greenhouse gas emissions into the ‘global’ operating model • Who should pay ? • Where should public policy makers target ? • How do you deal with existing capital investment that is either • carbon intensive and / or • not adequately ‘hardened’ for the changing climate ? • Power plants • Individual homes • Tax districts • How do we finance “next generation” low carbon essential services ? • Power • Water • Transportation • Land Use Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Limitations of the Carbon Credit ? • Tenor of the instrument • Short term • Spot • Futures • Tenor of the “challenge” policy makers want to address • Multi-generational • Will constituents / consumers accept ‘essential services’ financed by volatile commodities whose value are largely influenced by political actions ? Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Continuum of Risk Tolerance Carbon Trading High Risk / Volatility Tolerance Venture Capital Equity Investors • Different behaviours and commitment – • Different Goals • Need to Align & Leverage • Need multiple types of capital to move forward Financing Compliance Buyers / Investors Debt Bond Issuance / Financing Government Grants Government Loans Risk averse / low risk tolerance Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment Disclaimer: slide contains generalizations not applicable in all circumstances
Market Drivers and Public Policy Tools: “Carrots and Sticks” • Directive: • Compliance • Caps / limits of emissions • Taxes • Import restrictions • Incentives • Grants • Loans • Loan Guarantees • Tax credits • Production • Investment • Allowances of Market Based Credits (Carbon Markets) • Other Impact: Consumer Price Protection Regulation Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Carbon Regulation Today: Reality • Mixed Public Policy Solutions: • cap and trade; and • all other incentives to achieve mitigation of and adaptation to climate change • Other incentives accompany cap and trade • Goal: achieve other public policy objectives, such as: • - Energy security • - Specific technology development / promotion • - Redistribution of “burden” and “benefit” of specific actions Distorted marketplace presents • Risk profiles impacted by carbon credits, allowances and caps (political and economic risk) Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
US Governance Gap: • Environmental Groups, Citizens & Governments • Pursue Federal Agencies to act • SEC • FTC • EPA • Administration actions • Establishes multiple inter-agency tasks forces related to CC adaptation and mitigation • Seek organic legal authority • Plaintiff’s Bar No Action on Capitol Hill ‘Gap-filling’ Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
What About World Trade Implications ? • When not all countries regulate carbon can you leverage through import restrictions ? • WTO / GATT implications – see Articles XI and XX • WTO rules do not take precedent over environmental policy • WTO rules prohibit using environmental restrictions as a means for protectionism ……..SO……. • What can we learn from ‘dolphin safe tuna’ and ‘turtle / shrimp’ disputes ? • Is ‘trade’ a direct cause of the subject environmental problem ? • Are applications of the rules discriminatory (e.g. turtle / shrimp and ‘aid’ to some WTO members but not others) ? • What about ‘eco-labelling’ ? Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Insurance History / Demonstrated Record of reducing risks Exploration into emerging markets Reduction of Fire Risk / Improvement of Existing Building Stock Improvements to Worker Safety Improvements to Vehicle / Driver Safety Risk Mitigation in Deployment of New Technologies No amount of insurance will make a poor project / site / product / operation good Policy makers should engage insurance industry expertise and capital to most efficiently and effectively adapt to and mitigate risks of climate change – including CCS, ‘hardening’, efficiency improvements.. After all … insurers are in the business of risk … What is the Role of Insurance in Adaptation to and Mitigation of Risk In General ? Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Insurance focuses on risks to private assets Insurance is the ultimate economic shock absorber Insurance accounts for 7% of the global GDP (WIF 2010) Climate Change is about risks to both private assets and public good The Key : Find the Intersections Land use Power Water Transportation Focus on public / private partnership Insurers are creating products today to facilitate adaptation and mitigation to climate change risk … Insurance Can Be Applied to Facilitate Mitigation & Adaptation … Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
What Do Insurers Need to Assist Stakeholders to Adapt to and Mitigate Risk of Climate Change ? • Insurers must be allowed to use their core skills to send risk based price signals • Higher cost should incentivize risk reduction • Government indemnity or pools which spread or mask risk may inadvertently increase moral hazard and overall risk • Climate Policy that addresses governance gaps • Government should consider regulation / law changes that recognize the costs of mitigation must be passed on to users IF we are to truly incorporate this EXTERNALITY • Policy makers must consider new / emergent resource / rights conflicts that present in a non-fossil fuel paradigm • Climate Policy that enables markets to function properly • Incentives should be constructed carefully to avoid moral hazard increase and market instability • Consider whether finance subsidies “undo” incorporation of the EXTERNALITY • Transition from subsidy to independence must be mapped • Climate policy that recognizes the regional nature of climate change • One size does not fit all impact risks – especially with respect to CCS • Solutions should be regionally tailored but globally aligned / compatible Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Current capital investments in ‘essential services’ do not generally fully account for GHG emissions Current ‘essential services’ investments are based upon bond-type financing in exchange for certainty of purchase – even if the technology becomes outdated during the capital earn out / payback period The risk of ‘stranded assets’ presents if regulation and tort liability emerge and affect the asset ? Who pays ? Owner ? Users / consumers ? Does that answer change depending upon regulation ? Consider unintended consequences Mitigation: The challenge of existing capital investments Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Mitigation: The challenge of new capital investments – costs of externality • Will society trade in certainty in price and delivery for constant technology upgrade ? • What are the options for ‘transition’ to low carbon technology ? • Must we distort markets to transition ? • If so, how do you transition from subsidy ? • Subsidies do affect risk profiles – • They inject political risk into business models • Insurance underwriters should pay attention to such details and should adjust their contract accordingly • But this may leave the political risk un-mitigated … Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Mitigation: Insurance and Surety can address operational risks of low carbon technology – including pilot projects • Insurance to respond to risk of bodily injury, property damage and business interruption for ongoing operations • Surety – not insurance – would address no fault “guarantee” • Need market history and stability to hedge and manage volatility • Risk Management for “PILOTS” should be the same as it is for “COMMERCIAL” applications. • “PILOTS” represent a SUBSTANTIAL MARKET SHARE • What governments do with “pilots” may FOREVER shape the marketplace Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Innovation: New technology & new land use new business models; new insurance needs to meet the 2050 Targets Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Insurance products responsive to government legislation, consumer and policy creating market demands Current Zurich climate change product activities • 1. Carbon credits • a. Political risk coverage for carbon credits • b. Carbon credit securitization • for multilateral and multinational banks lending to CDM projects • 2. Motor • a. Discounts for hybrid vehicles • b. Pay-as-you-drive auto insurance: telematics / other basis - commercial (in process) • 3. Alternative energy: full suite of p/c coverage • Solar • Wind • Hydropower • Biomass • Geothermal • Wave / tide (under review) Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Current Zurich climate change product activities Insurance products responsive to government legislation, consumer and policy creating market demands • 4. Directors and Officers • Coverage extension for climate related / environmental mismanagement claims • 5. Green Building • Construction Wrap: GL / WC / PI for “green” building projects • 6. Recovery, buyback and disposal structured insurance of solar panels (WEE Directive) • 7. Energy conservation insurance • product warranty (under consideration / review) • derivative based coverage structures • 8. Carbon capture and sequestration • CCSA • GSFA Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment
Products and other responses to physical risks, consumer demands and public policy Current Zurich climate change product activities • 9.Green Edge / Better Green:Property coverages: commercial and personal lines • a. Green re-build extensions – addresses efficiency and sustainability • b. Off-grid power BI extension – addresses DER • c. Fortification / resilience recognition – addresses weather appropriate • 10. Water Re-Use / Reinjection / Storm Water Run-Off Coverage (in process) • 11. REDD+ / Agricultural Programs – in development; Sustainable Mining – in development Using Insurance to Facilitate Low Carbon / Mitigation Technology Deployment