ESG investment in insurance-linked securities (ILS)

While fixed income is the world’s largest asset class, it is not commonly recognised for investments making social or environmental impact. But a recent report explains why investors should look more closely at fixed income assets and catastrophe bonds are highlighted as one impact investing opportunity within the segment.

As investors grapple with the challenges of market concentration, rate uncertainty, and sustainability underperformance, insurance-linked securities (ILS) are emerging as a compelling solution for ESG-focused portfolios, according to Tiziana Maida, Head of Research at investment management, wealth planning and consulting specialist IPS Capital LLP.

Commenting on the successful placement of its new €200 million Lion Re DAC Series 2025-1) catastrophe bond, sponsor Generali’s Group CFO Cristiano Borean hailed the “unique and distinctive ESG features” of the cat bond, also citing “a further enhancement in terms of structural efficiency, optimisation and flexibility,” thanks to the new shelf programme under Lion […]

Italian and global insurance giant Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. has now successfully secured a renewal for its green catastrophe bond, with the new EUR 200 million Lion Re DAC transaction finalised at its target size and with pricing of the two tranches of notes at either end of their initial ranges, Artemis can report.

A recent report from UBS Group’s global wealth management arm has highlighted catastrophe bonds as a growing sustainable investment opportunity, emphasising their role in climate adaptation and financial protection against extreme weather events.

Italian and global insurance giant Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. is looking to renew its soon to mature green catastrophe bond with a new EUR 200 million Lion Re DAC transaction now in the market, that targets European windstorm and Italy earthquake reinsurance for the company, Artemis can report.

The stable return profile of catastrophe bonds and their historically low correlation with broader financial markets have traditionally been the main reasons investors considered an allocation of cat bonds into their portfolio, however, more recently, investors have started recognising catastrophe bonds for their social impact, as per a new report from the Man Group.

During the full-year 2023, the catastrophe bond and insurance-linked securities (ILS) team at private markets focused investment manager Schroders Capital allocated over US $817 million to transactions that specifically help in reducing the insurance protection gap.

Italian and global insurance giant Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. has revised its framework for green catastrophe bonds to incorporate updates and expand its scope, now publishing a Green, Social and Sustainability Insurance-linked Securities Framework in its place.

Banque Bonhôte & Cie, a Swiss private bank, investment firm and wealth manager, has announced the launch of a new environmental, social and governance (ESG) focused fund strategy that will incorporate catastrophe bonds as one of its allocations.