Munich Re issues green bond

2020/09/24

Group

Volume of €1.25bn
Bond proceeds will be invested in renewable energies and the like

By launching this green bond, we are taking a pioneering role in sustainable finance and responding to the growing demand for climate-friendly investment options. We are also strengthening Munich Re’s capital base at a time when hardening reinsurance markets are offering numerous opportunities for profitable growth.

Christoph Jurecka

CFO

For the first time in its history, Munich Re has issued a subordinated green bond, with the volume issued amounting to €1.25bn. This bond highlights Munich Re’s commitment to using the capital markets to help achieve a climate-friendly transformation of the economy.

Munich Re will use the raised capital to finance or refinance sustainable projects in accordance with the company’s Green Bond Framework. Projects include investments of equity and debt in renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, green buildings, sustainable water and wastewater management, the eco-efficient and/or circular economy, and the environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land. Munich Re’s Green Bond Framework is aligned with the 2018 Green Bond Principles set by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).

Munich Re is strengthening its capital base with an eye towards growth opportunities that are emerging in many reinsurance markets. In addition, subordinated bonds are an important capital management tool that, among other things, give Munich Re the option of calling and redeeming outstanding subordinated bonds in 2021 and 2022.

The bond has a coupon of 1.25% and will mature in 2041.

Munich Re is committed to the targets of the Paris Agreement on climate change and aligns its own investments with the Agreement, including the systematic integration of ESG criteria. In addition, Munich Re makes targeted investments in climate-friendly technologies. Munich Re’s investments in renewable energies currently amount to about €1.6bn – a sum that is set to continually rise to up to €2.8bn in coming years. By joining the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, Munich Re has undertaken to transition its entire investment portfolio to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Munich Re is one of the world’s leading providers of reinsurance, primary insurance and insurance-related risk solutions. The group consists of the reinsurance and ERGO business segments, as well as the asset management company MEAG. Munich Re is globally active and operates in all lines of the insurance business. Since it was founded in 1880, Munich Re has been known for its unrivalled risk-related expertise and its sound financial position. It offers customers financial protection when faced with exceptional levels of damage – from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake through to the 2019 Pacific typhoon season. Munich Re possesses outstanding innovative strength, which enables it to also provide coverage for extraordinary risks such as rocket launches, renewable energies, cyberattacks, or pandemics. The company is playing a key role in driving forward the digital transformation of the insurance industry, and in doing so has further expanded its ability to assess risks and the range of services that it offers. Its tailor-made solutions and close proximity to its customers make Munich Re one of the world’s most sought-after risk partners for businesses, institutions, and private individuals.

Disclaimer
This media release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current assumptions and forecasts of the management of Munich Re. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the forward-looking statements given here and the actual development, in particular the results, financial situation and performance of our Company. The Company assumes no liability to update these forward-looking statements or to make them conform to future events or developments.