Forward Thinking presents Sustainability for Advisers: Five things we learnt
From how climate change is linked to health to the role our industry has to play in making a positive social impact, here are five things we learnt from our recent webinar series for advisers
Forward Thinking presents Sustainability for Advisers examined why sustainability is an issue we will sooner or later need to embrace.
Whether it’s changing client expectations, the social impact of our products and services or the need to reduce pressure on healthcare systems globally, sustainability impacts us all. This especially applies to the health and protection industry.
Here, we break down five key takeaways from the three-part webinar series, plus you can watch all of the webinar content on demand below.
1. Climate change is not going away
In recent decades, The Earth has been heating rapidly. Since 1850, global temperatures have increased by 1.3C and, in 2024, we experienced the hottest year on record1.
We’ve also now crossed six of nine planetary boundaries – limits set to keep our planet safe and stable2. Some of these changes are now irreversible.
Watch part one: An introduction to sustainability and why it matters
2. And it’s already impacting our health
Rising levels of heat-related illnesses, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and mental health issues have all been linked to climate change3.
Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year - from under-nutrition, malaria, diarrhoea, and heat stress - according to The World Health Organisation4.
The fall-out of this on our industry will be significant. Increased rates of ill-health and mortality will drive higher claim costs and put pressure on our services, while also potentially broadening protection gaps for those people unable to obtain cover.
Watch part two: Making the connection between health and sustainability
3. Sustainability is about much more than climate change
Climate change is clearly a pressing issue, but sustainability is about so much more. When it comes to ESG, the Environment is just one pillar alongside Social and Governance. This means businesses have a broad spectrum to consider when thinking about their impact.
For example, we’re already seeing how increasing rates of modifiable health conditions are placing a significant burden on healthcare systems globally, as well as leading to absenteeism and presenteeism which is impacting UK productivity5.
Importantly, a healthier population also means a healthier planet. For example, healthcare is already a big contributor of global greenhouse gas emissions – higher in fact than the airline industry6.
But this will only worsen if people increasingly live in poor health. In many cases, with illness that could be prevented.
4. Client expectations are changing
Today, businesses are more than ever expected to not just make money but also make a positive impact on society and our planet.
In recent years, businesses have evolved from focusing on corporate social responsibility to putting societal needs at the centre of their business model to do good and, as a result, deliver more value.
Sustainability is already changing the way we do business; whether it’s top-down from regulators or bottom-up from shifting consumer demands. The client of tomorrow will increasingly expect the products and services we deliver to be sustainable and have a positive social impact.
All of this of course will trickle down to businesses of all sizes, whether large insurers or smaller advice firms. Critically though, the choice doesn’t need to be sustainability or business, but sustainability and business.
Watch part three: Sustainability as a license to thrive for your business
5. With the help of health and life insurers, advisers do have a role to play
As client expectations continue to evolve, there is a big opportunity for advisers and insurers to better resonate with people’s values in a rapidly changing world.
Our industry has a critical role to play in not just promoting sustainability - for society and the planet - but initiating change and making people healthier, as well as protecting them. After all the health of our planet is intrinsically linked to the health of its people.
We can already contribute significantly to principles of ESG. For example, by reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases and supporting mental health, which falls under the UN’s third Sustainability Development Goal: Good health and wellbeing7.
But there’s always more that can be done. Advisers who lean into sustainability can help clients achieve better health alongside financial security and access to more sustainable forms of healthcare, as well as benefit society. We see this as shared value for all.
Ultimately, embracing sustainability is good for your clients, our industry and society as a whole. But the time to act is now.
1 WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level
2 Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries | Science Advances
3 THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development
4 Climate change
5 10 years of Britain's Healthiest Workplace: The changing face of the UK at work, 2025
6 Healthcare in world’s largest economies ‘accounts for 4%’ of global emissions - Carbon Brief
7 THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development
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