SDA actions on Climate Change Risk

In this publication we set out the actions taken by SDA to reduce its carbon footprint and emissions, with the objective of getting to net zero.  We explore the future intentions to continue our carbon reduction.

SDA has been challenged to rethink its courses of action regarding climate change related risks, including re-evaluating the office environment and emissions. SDA has updated its policies and initiatives designed to be in line with our aspirations of low-carbon transition.

Thus, we have updated our Environmental and Social Policy to reflect the emerging understanding of climate change risk and to ensure we continue to be part of environmental and social change in our society.

SDA recognises that while our actions may have a relatively small impact on the global challenge to reduce the impact of climate change, this should not prevent us in doing our part, using our capacity to adopt some recommendations as a top priority.

Achievements to date:

As a company, we encourage the use of public transport by our employees, contractors, and visitors.

We make available technology, such as video conferencing, encouraging its use instead of travelling where appropriate.

Furthermore, we encourage recycling of paper, cartridges, and other items, including providing recycling facilities in the office.

SDA minimises the use of paper and ink by avoiding printing where appropriate, and printing in black and white and doubled sided as default.

Moreover, SDA expects employees to reduce energy usage by ensuring computers, air conditioning, heating, and lighting are turned off when not required and are set to appropriate levels when in use.

Next Steps:

So far, we have integrated Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into our research, meetings, and brainstorming of practical implementation steps.

Next, we are now committed to a reduction in the total miles driven by employees when commuting and on business travel, and the amount of paper and printer ink used annually.  For example, we encourage our actuarial students to purchase the PDF version of study materials rather than the printed packs.

Additionally, two of our consultants, Suzanne Homer and Ricardo Melo, have been nominated to be the climate change risk co-coordinators. They will work together to monitor performance throughout the year, report internally on SDA’s miles driven on an annual basis and we can commit to recording and sharing this information with clients to demonstrate how these actions are impacting our emissions as a firm. The purpose is to include environmental impact reduction targets and objectives in SDA’s business plan and monitor performance as part of monitoring the plan.

Moving forward, SDA aims to organise a green event with charity activities each year for all employees and external stakeholders related to reducing the impact of climate change in our planet.

In the future, we will look for new and emerging metrics across the company, employees, and office.