Brokers are taking a more active role in supporting clients to reduce their climate impact, according to new research* from Ecclesiastical.
National brokers are leading the way with two-thirds (65%) providing climate-related guidance to clients. In contrast, two-thirds of regional and provincial brokers are not providing any guidance at all.
The annual survey of 250 brokers by Ecclesiastical found that clients are increasingly seeking advice and support on climate issues from their brokers, although there were significant differences between national (33% agreed) and regional (9% agreed), and provincial (8% agreed) brokers.
To support clients, two in five (39%) national brokers say climate is integrated into risk management discussions, while a third share climate related news and developments.
A quarter (23%) of national brokers are speaking to their clients about insurers’ climate positions, while 21% say they are providing advice and guidance about how clients can reduce their direct impacts.
The findings show a positive shift in attitudes towards climate since the research was first carried out 2022.
However, despite progress being made, only nine per cent of brokers said they felt confident advising clients about their climate risks, the same as 2024, suggesting more training and education is needed.
This year’s survey saw an upward shift in respondents believing that clients are more likely to do business with brokers that have a strong climate position (15% +6% vs '24), as well as more brokers agreeing that clients are becoming increasingly interested in their firm’s climate position (up 3%).
There was also a significant increase (15% +6% vs '24) in brokers agreeing that clients are more likely to do business with insurers that have a strong climate position. At the same time 12% of brokers (up 2%) said they are more likely to place business with an insurer that has a strong climate position.
A record number of brokers (89% +14% vs ’24) are taking action to reduce their direct impact, the survey found.
When asked why it was important, the majority (84%) said reducing their company's climate impact was the right thing to do. This was followed by reducing costs (50%), enhancing their reputation (41%), building a more sustainable supply chain (32%) and maintaining a competitive advantage (27%).
To reduce their impact, nearly two thirds (64%) of brokerages have a recycling scheme in the office and nearly half (49%) are reducing energy consumption at offices. This was followed by minimising business travel (36%), increasing awareness among employees (34%) and using electric/hybrid cars (30%).
The percentage of brokerages setting a target to become net zero remained static (16%), even among larger firms, suggesting that the drive to net zero is stalling.
The main barrier to setting a net zero target is a lack of resources (49% -7% vs 2024), while cost is a barrier for over a quarter (28%). Nearly a third (31% -2% vs 2024) have no interest in being net zero. Provincial and regional brokerages are more likely to say they have no interest in becoming net zero than nationals. They are also more likely to not understand what's required to become net zero.
There was also a slight decline in the numbers measuring their carbon footprint in 2025 (9% -7% vs 2024) and very few (4% +1% vs 2024) are planning to measure it, indicating a potential area for improvement.
Dave Carey, Managing Director of Intermediary at Ecclesiastical, said: “We all – individuals and businesses - have an important part to play in protecting our planet.
“Brokers have a critical role to play in building and supporting more climate-resilient communities, so it’s encouraging to see that many are taking a more active role in supporting clients to reduce their climate impact. It indicates a growing acceptance that climate change has to be at the centre of risk considerations and not treated as an add-on.
“There’s a clear disparity between the national brokers who are leading the way and smaller regional brokers, which may reflect the more corporate nature of the nationals’ clients. However, if brokers can help their clients better manage environmental risks, they can better fulfil their advisory role.
“As an insurer committed to making a positive environmental impact, we’re working with brokers so they can make more informed choices about whether they expand the climate conversation to their customers.”
As part of the Benefact Group, Ecclesiastical published its climate approach, called Our Planet, Our Part, earlier this year.
The insurer is taking responsibility for climate change by addressing its carbon contributions, while supporting customers and communities to tackle their climate challenges too.
* Survey of a panel of 250 commercial lines insurance brokers by FWD in March 2025