Societal responsibility

Our climate protection activities concentrate on the Tackling Climate Change Together (TCCT) initiative, which is driven by both Munich Re and ERGO. This initiative was taken to the next level in 2020 when the Boards of Munich Re and ERGO decided to support ecosystem-based adaptation initiatives – in addition to the ongoing sponsorship of start-ups that offer climate change related solutions. Ecosystem-based adaptation involves maintaining, sustainably using, and regenerating ecosystems to limit the regional effects of climate change, and to ensure the basis of existence for people affected in a given area.

Those who suffer most from climate change impact, such as extreme weather, are often those who already live in difficult economic circumstances. With our engagement in ecosystem-based adaption within TCCT, we support initiatives that help mitigate the consequences of weather-related natural catastrophes and enable people to better adapt to climate change. We do not just provide the financial means but also the necessary expertise and experience.

In 2020, our activities toward better access to healthcare focused to a major part on the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. Munich Re colleagues from all over the world have been pitching in by donating money or volunteering their time. In addition to staff members’ considerable dedication, our Group utilised numerous initiatives to channel resources, time and expertise to those who need it. There have been various initiatives in our Group beneath other activities on heathcare. 

Munich Re is an anniversary partner of “Aktion Deutschland Hilft”

The Alliance for Emergency and Disaster Relief comprises more than 20 renowned German aid organisations and, together, they intend to provide faster and better coordinated assistance after disasters. This includes measures such as the provision of clean drinking water, food and essential medicines as well as psychological trauma support, emergency shelters and reconstruction. “Aktion Deutschland Hilft”, together with the alliance organisations, is focusing on disaster risk reduction for its 20th anniversary in 2021. And the alliance will highlight the growing relevance and urgency of disaster prevention and preparedness (in light of the increases in natural catastrophes, extreme weather events and world population) with a large-scale anniversary campaign entitled “Be faster than disaster”. Munich Re supports this campaign financially..

The member organisations of “Aktion Deutschland Hilft” are implementing a large number of aid projects for disaster preparedness, around the world. On the occasion of the anniversary campaign, the aid organisations are ready with more than 60 projects, e. g. to set up early warning systems, conduct evacuation training, promote the construction of shelters or implement measures to better adapt to climate change.

For many years, Munich Re has provided financial support for emergency aid measures and reconstruction projects following natural disasters. To this end, we work closely with and support the aid organisation Save the Children. Munich Re set up a formal partnership with Save the Children in 2019. 

Disaster relief after storm events supported by Munich Re in 2020 included Tropical Cyclone Harold across the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji; Cyclone Amphan hitting Odisha, West Bengal and Bangladesh; Tropical Storm Amanda on Central America’s Pacific coast; Typhoon Goni in the Philippines; and Hurricane Eta hitting Guatemala and Nicaragua. On behalf of Munich Re, Save the Children supported more than 600 families and provided a further 1000 adults and children with shelter, emergency kits and financial aid.

We also show our commitment to numerous social, cultural and ecological projects at our different sites through corporate volunteering. Many of the initiatives are the result of ideas from our employees and are driven by them. Munich Re supports its employees’ voluntary work and has integrated this commitment into its Ambition 2025. At Munich Re Munich for example, employees can receive up to two days for special leave, when they dedicate their own annual leave for volunteering. At Munich Re Munich, the Schinzler Foundation supports our employees’ voluntary work by giving grants to various projects.