Allianz said that sustainability has always been a top priority. The company recently became the first insurer partner of Solar Energy UK, a trade association working to triple the nation’s renewable energy output by 2030. One hundred per cent of the electricity in its UK offices is currently provided by renewable sources.
Embodying its commitment to sustainability is Allianz’ stand, which will feature carpets made with 100% recycled nylon from discarded fishing nets and a fully recyclable bar with compostable glasses and cups.
Even before the conference on 11 May, Allianz employees and brokers will be cycling to power the charging station at the stand using kinetic exercise bikes connected to the batteries in its London and Manchester offices. Visitors to the exhibition will then be able to charge their phones and laptops at the stand while there.
Post-event, much of the stand will be sent to a local reclamation centre to be recycled again and trees and plants will be donated so that no element will go to waste.
“The desire to create a stand that is sustainable has given us a real challenge, but the company and employees have really thrown passion behind the initiative, and it feels good to know that we will be walking away from the event with zero waste and a lot of the stand being put to good use afterwards,” head of events Steve Flynn said.
“After many years of taking part in exhibitions, we recognise that there is more we can be doing to prevent many materials ending up in landfill,” chief executive Simon McGinn said. “We and our peers and broker partners need to continually question the decisions we all make as an industry to ensure that we are shaping tomorrow together.”
Earlier this year, Allianz launched its Net Zero Accelerator, pledging £100,000 to help independent brokers measure and reduce their carbon footprint to assist them on their journey to net-zero. Following positive feedback from broker partners, Allianz announced that it would open the programme for a second round of applications.
“We’ll be happy to discuss further details about this at the BIBA conference,” McGinn said.
