Financial services group Zurich has joined the ever growing list of financial institutions that have signed the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investing (UNPRI).
The firm yesterday announced it had introduced a corporate responsibility program across all its businesses.
Zurich chief executive David Smith said the aim was to embed such values in all aspects of the business.
"For companies operating within our community it is not a matter of corporate responsibility being 'nice to do'. It is now a business imperative," Smith said.
Signing the UNPRI is part of a broader push within the financial services conglomerate to make changes in its insurance and investment businesses to reflect concerns over climate change.
Zurich joins Goldman Sachs JBWere, Portfolio Partners, AMP Capital Investors, BT Financial Group, Colonial First State and Axa Australia as signatories to the UN principles.
"Increasingly there is a demand, and a need, for fund managers to actively consider the impact their investment decisions will have on the community," Smith said.
"Zurich signing the UNPRI is just a small step, but it is an important step."
