AXA Ireland today published a Sustainability Update to mark its 25th year as Ireland’s largest insurer, highlighting far reaching commitments on climate, corporate social responsibility, inclusive insurance and philanthropic giving.
It has also issued a call for Irish scientists and universities to submit research ideas to the AXA Research Fund, a global initiative to help accelerate independent research that addresses the most important issues facing the planet today.
Highlights of the AXA Sustainability Update includes:
- €1 million in donations to local environmental and community projects since 2022
- Over €1.2 million in AXA Research Fund support in Ireland over the past five years
- €2 million invested to establish 200 ha of native woodlands – a 100-year project
- The lowest insurance gender pay gap in Ireland driven by a market leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programme
- The launch of an AXA Climate School in Ireland with 220 Broker Firms throughout Ireland invited to participate
- Over 3,200 hours volunteered by AXA employees in 2024 in support of community projects
- 100% renewable energy across all AXA workplaces and the branch network in Ireland with consumption reduced by 36% since 2019 and an overall 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the business since 2019
For AXA, sustainability means thinking and acting for the future. Initiatives undertaken by the company in Ireland range from volunteering with local charities supported by AXA’s extensive branch network to investing €2 million in a 100-year project to establish native forests.
Commenting on the publication of the report, Marguerite Brosnan, CEO of AXA Insurance DAC:
“Our Sustainability Update outlines a vision for the future while also highlighting the work that we have undertaken in recent years to become more sustainable and deliver positive social impact across Ireland. Through our dedicated branch network AXA is present in communities across Ireland and we are firmly committed to being a responsible neighbour and supporting our customers and our communities now and into the future.”
The report outlines four key areas which form the basis of AXA’s approach:
- Climate
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Philanthropic Giving
- Inclusive Insurance
Climate Action - AXA launch Ireland’s first Climate School
AXA is managing and delivering climate transition through a three-pronged approach as an investor, an insurer, and an exemplary company, having achieved an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2019 and a branch network that uses 100% renewable energy.
AXA believes that education is key to delivering climate transition and strives to deliver a range of services extending beyond traditional insurance products.
AXA has launched Ireland’s first Climate School, a free education resource open to over 220 insurance broker organisations to improve their understanding of climate risk and action. The AXA Climate School is an industry first, shaped by some of the world’s leading climate scientists. Lessons range from understanding climate resilience to managing supply chain with climate impacts in mind.
Corporate Social Responsibility
€1 million has been invested by AXA in local environmental projects, community groups and charities since 2022. In addition to this, over 3,200 hours were volunteered by AXA employees in support of community projects in 2024.
The AXA Ireland Fund supports communities and non-profit enterprises to address key social issues. Since its establishment the AXA Ireland Fund has supported The Great Care Co-op, a social enterprise and worker cooperative, founded by migrant women who provide care to those in need, and GLOW (Giving Life Opportunities to Women), a cross-community organisation that helps empower women
Through the AXA Community Fund, 24 community groups receive €2,500 through AXA’s branch network annually, while two additional awards of €10,000 are made to groups for going above and beyond for their local areas. AXA Ireland has also partnered with the Nature Trust in Ireland, investing €2 million to plant 200 hectares of native forest over the next one hundred years.
Philanthropic Giving
Through dedicated philanthropic funding, AXA has backed vital Irish-led research projects to help tackle the most important issues facing our society and our planet.
Since its inception in 2008, seven projects in Ireland have so far received funding, with €2.16m with €1.2 million of that in the last five years. This includes the research work of Dr Michelle Lavin of the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, which aims to reduce maternal mortality rates worldwide by preventing post-partum haemorrhage.
The most recent Ireland-located project in University College Cork on the topic of Malaria Prevention, received an AXA Chair worth €1m over four years and is now nearing completion.
Inclusive Insurance
As Ireland’s largest insurer, AXA is committed to providing accessible and attractive insurance products that offers good value to a wide and diverse customer base. Providing good value to a wide and diverse customer base, means working towards closing the protection gap for customers who have traditionally been locked out of the insurance market.
AXA has initiated plans to remove accessibility barriers and make products easy for customers to understand. From product design through to claims, AXA is committed to offering products and services to customers that protect what matters most to them and provides supports in times of greatest need.
Extra Notes
To find out more information about the AXA Climate School please see https://axaclimateschool.com/
The next round of funding opens for Post Doctorate Fellowships application from 25th March. https://axa-research.org/fund-your-research/post-doctoral-fellowships All Irish academic institutions are eligible to apply.
For academics already established in their field the AXA Chairs application process starts on 23rd September, https://axa-research.org/fund-your-research/axa-chairs
In addition to that, AXA Grants are open to researchers and academic institutions worldwide – applications can be submitted at any time and can apply to all levels of researchers in academia.