Howden launches carbon capture and storage insurance facility

An innovative insurance facility covering the leakage of carbon dioxide (CO2) from commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities has been launched by Howden. The broker said the product, designed by Howden and led by SCOR’s syndicate at Lloyd’s, will unlock vital investment to support the global transition to net zero. The insurance facility provides cover for environmental damage and loss of revenue arising from the sudden or gradual leakage of CO2 from CCS projects into the air, land and water. According to Howden, the solution addresses a key risk associated with CCS technology and supports the development of a commercial insurance market for leakage risk, the need for which has been highlighted by the UK Government Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s business model for carbon capture, usage and storage. Rowan Douglas, CEO, Howden Climate Risk and Resilience said: “This breakthrough shows how insurance helps unlock vital finance to drive the net-zero transition at the scope and speed required. By improving the bankability of critical CCS projects, we are establishing insurance as a force for good and building on the work being done by the Sustainable Markets Initiative to realise the potential of engineered carbon removal solutions and move this nascent sector into the mainstream.” Howden said that other following markets within Lloyd’s have committed to support the facility, with further capacity anticipated to meet commercial demand globally. The facility will be led by Glenn O’Halloran, executive director, Howden Climate Risk & Resilience. “The financial viability of CCS projects often relies on revenue from the voluntary and compliance carbon markets,” said Howden. “This new form of insurance covers liabilities arising from carbon credits and allowances, including UK and EU ETS liabilities.” It added that its facility will de-risk projects critical to the decarbonisation of the global economy by offering balance sheet protection through structured risk transfer solutions. Howden noted that the global carbon capture and sequestration market is projected to reach a value of $7.49bn by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 19.9% between 2023 and 2030, accelerating the need for effective insurance solutions to protect the financial viability and stability of CCS projects. John Neal, CEO, Lloyd’s and chair of the Sustainable Markets Initiative Insurance Task Force said: “This new insurance facility is an example of what can be achieved when innovative minds join forces to support climate positive solutions in our market. Developed at Lloyd’s, in partnership with The Insurance Task Force of the Sustainable Market’s Initiative, we hope together we can spark more cross-sector collaboration that will enhance our resilience against the climate crisis.” Romain Launay, CEO, SCOR Specialty Insurance and Marie Biggas, CUO, SCOR Syndicate added: “We are delighted to lead this facility, which is evidence of the innovative risk transfer solutions that can be brought to market when the best minds across the industry work together to de-risk the global energy transition. Furthermore, it fully supports SCOR’s target to multiply insurance and facultative reinsurance coverage for low carbon energy by 3.5 by 2030. We look forward to working with Howden and the market to boost investor and lender confidence in CCS projects.”

Howden launches carbon capture and storage insurance facility

Want to read this article?

Read Next

Ferma members told AI will bring risk and reward for corporate insurance buyers

Aon’s revenues up 5% as it completes $13bn NFP deal

Warmer climate spreading risk of malaria and dengue to new regions

UN launches new net-zero insurance forum to replace NZIA

Pen extends fleet capacity deal with Zurich in Republic of Ireland

Ferma members told AI will bring risk and reward for corporate insurance buyers

Aon’s revenues up 5% as it completes $13bn NFP deal

Warmer climate spreading risk of malaria and dengue to new regions

UN launches new net-zero insurance forum to replace NZIA

Pen extends fleet capacity deal with Zurich in Republic of Ireland

Want to read this article?

Read Next

Ferma members told AI will bring risk and reward for corporate insurance buyers

Aon’s revenues up 5% as it completes $13bn NFP deal

Warmer climate spreading risk of malaria and dengue to new regions

UN launches new net-zero insurance forum to replace NZIA

Pen extends fleet capacity deal with Zurich in Republic of Ireland

Related Articles