American Family is first U.S.-based insurance company to join The Climate Pledge

American Family Insurance has become the first U.S.-based insurance company to join more than 375+ national and global companies across more than 53 industries and 34 countries in further committing to taking climate action by signing The Climate Pledge.

Co- founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, The Climate Pledge is a commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040 and meet The Paris Agreement 10 years early.

To directly reduce and offset our impact on the planet, in 2020 American Family committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. To achieve this, the company will continue reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing on-site renewable energy production and renewable energy purchased and diverting waste from landfills. See the company’s Sustainability and Climate Action Strategic Plan for more ways American Family will reach this goal.

Joining The Climate Pledge gives American Family the opportunity to partner and share knowledge and resources with other signatories while extending its commitment and action across the American Family Insurance group of companies nationally.

“As one of the nation’s largest insurers, we know that mitigating and preventing the impacts of increased weather volatility and natural catastrophes are essential to our business,” said Bill Westrate, CEO and president of the American Family Insurance group of companies. “We are honored to step forward as the first U.S.-based insurance company participating in The Climate Pledge and hope this will be an inspiration for others in our industry.”

Other ways the company leads in sustainability and climate action include:

• In December 2021, American Family was among the second group of companies joining the new United Airlines Eco-Skies Alliance^SM program, in which United corporate travelers purchase sustainable aviation fuel, which creates much lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional jet fuel.
   
• Continuing and furthering the partnerships and investments made by the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact in organizations and startups that promote climate resiliency, and with community investment partnerships with nonprofits through the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation.
   
• Building on its long-time support of research and testing to make homes safer and stronger, prevent injuries, save lives and mitigate damage when catastrophes occur, including through a partnership with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), and as a signatory of the Insurers’ Principles for Climate Change Adaptation with IBHS and industry peers.

Today, at the start of Climate Week NYC, American Family joined 50+ new signatories to affirm the vision and momentum of The Pledge at a time when international leaders from business, government, and civil society gather to showcase global climate action.

“We are committed to achieving our sustainability goals not only because its good for the environment, but because it’s good for our customers and our business,” Westrate said.

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 About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 251 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.