Marsh clients can use carbon credits in lieu of broker fees

Marsh’s US clients now have the option to pay their service fees in voluntary carbon offset credits and renewable energy certificates (RECs).

The move — believed to be a first-of-its-kind in the financial services industry — is intended to recognise clients pursuing and exceeding net zero carbon emission goals.

Under the payment program, US Marsh clients can opt to pay for US insurance broking or risk advisory services by transferring agreed upon voluntary carbon offset credits and RECs to leading banking institution Bank of America. After receiving the credits and certificates, BoA will send the proceeds to Marsh.

“The insurance industry has a central role to play in enabling firms to achieve the climate goals set at COP26,” said Pat Donnelly, president, US and Canada, Marsh. “Marsh’s new carbon credit payment program demonstrates how investing in strong ESG frameworks can result in tangible benefits.

”Being able to pay for Marsh’s services and solutions with these credits and certificates is a benefit for our clients seeking to preserve cash and provides another incentive to invest in carbon removal and avoidance projects.”

Paul Murray, a senior vice president in Marsh’s Financial and Professional Liability (FINPRO) Practice, which developed the program, added: “Many companies currently make use of voluntary carbon offset credits and RECs as a part of their overall sustainability goals.

”With the recent passage of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes a number of incentives to spur the expansion of clean energy, we expect the use of credits and RECs to increase significantly.”

Voluntary carbon offset credits are records of investments organisations make in environmental projects and infrastructure that either remove carbon dioxide (CO2) or avoid the emission of CO2. Each offset represents the successful, verified removal or avoidance of one ton of CO2.

RECs are records of renewable electricity generation and are issued to organizations when one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a renewable energy resource.