The value of the opportunity provided by the global transition to net-zero could be large enough to double the size of the London insurance market, according to the London and International Insurance Brokers’ Association.

Speaking to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services, Christopher Croft, CEO of LIIBA, told MPs that the global insurance opportunity created by the transition is “estimated to be in the region of US$125bn”. This compares with the London insurance market’s current estimated value of US$110bn from the 2020 London Matters report.

The analysis, conducted by LIIBA working alongside its members, is based on data from Oliver Wyman that achieving net-zero will necessitate US$5trn of global investment in green energy annually by 2030. LIIBA then worked with its members to establish the average ratio between insurance premium and total investment for relevant capital projects. This suggests an annual total of US$125bn of additional insurance-related spend by 2030 for the costs of transition alone.

Mitigating the risks associated with the transition will entail investment in and adoption of new technology, management of stranded assets as well as insurance expenditure.

Christopher Croft, CEO of LIIBA, said: “For the first time, LIIBA and its members have been able to quantify the level of insurance growth produced by the race to achieve net-zero – and it’s a huge sum. If a significant proportion of that US$125bn came to London, it would transform our market and London’s standing for decades to come. It will also help deliver growth in UK export earnings, UK GDP and employment.

“The positive news is that the London market is well-placed to be right at the fore of this transformative process. London’s brokers have a unique combination of skills and expertise that will enable their clients to make the changes necessary to achieve the net reduction in carbon emissions required.

“The key for London is to ensure we seize upon this once-in-a-century opportunity by brokers and risk carriers working together to give clients the guidance and the capital backing they need to embark on this transformational journey.”

Minister for Investment Gerry Grimstone, added: “As the largest global centre for speciality and commercial risk, the London market has continued to attract international investment for decades. So it’s great that London’s role in building climate resilience in the race to net-zero could significantly see an increase in our market’s opportunities, and in turn boost jobs and benefit the UK economy.”

Craig Tracey MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Insurance and Financial Services, commented: “This new LIIBA analysis shows the huge potential opportunity net-zero is creating for the British economy. As a world leader in risk transfer and risk mitigation, there is a unique space for UK use this expertise and be at the forefront of enabling the global drive towards low carbon and no-carbon technologies.”

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