Reinsurer SCOR tightens oil sector cover over carbon emissions

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy Simon Jessop and Tassilo Hummelp

　　pLONDON Reuters – SCOR, the worlds fourthbiggest reinsurer, said on Wednesday it would stop covering new oil field production projects from 2023 unless the company involved had an acceptable plan to reach netzero emissions by midcentury.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　pThe move is the latest by a leading insurer to impose tighter policy conditions on coverage for the oil and gas sector, the main driver of manmade greenhouse gas emissions, as scientists warn faster action is needed on climate change.p

　　pIt also follows an International Energy Agency IEA report last year which said expansion of the oil and gas industry needed to cease if the world wanted to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial average.p

　　pSCOR said in a statement accompanying results of the French companys annual general meeting that it aimed to double the amount of insurance coverage for lowcarbon energies by 2025.p

　　p“SCOR believes that reaching net zero can only be achieved by combining climate mitigation and climate adaptation measures, supported by strong engagement with clients and partners, and an active approach to transition,” it said.p

　　pThe move came as the U.N. SecretaryGeneral called for a global coalition to hasten the shift to renewables.p

　　pClimate campaigners said SCOR had not gone far enough, calling for more action to bring it into line with the more ambitious plans of other insurers such as Allianz, which in April issued a broader set of exclusions.p

　　p“By allowing gas as well as exceptions for some new oil fields, SCORs policy does not even go half the distance,” said Ariel Le Bourdonnec, Insurance Campaigner of Reclaim Finance. p

　　pIn response to the criticism, a SCOR spokesperson reiterated the companys commitment to supporting the needs of the economy as it transitions.p

　　p“Our goal is to support the transition to a lowcarbon economy by combining pragmatism and ambition. Modifying an underwriting strategy is a process that requires indepth analysis in advance and takes time.”p

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　　pp Reporting by Simon Jessop Editing by Alexander Smith, Kirsten Donovanp

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