Lloyd’s fossil fuel exit to stimulate Asian insurance

The decision by Lloyd’s of London to exit coverage for the most polluting fossil fuel projects may just spur creation of underwriting capacity elsewhere

Lloyd’s of London’s December announcement that it would end insurance coverage for the most polluting fossil fuel projects is likely to result in boom in local insurance provision in developing markets, especially in Asia, according to industry experts. The world’s largest commercial insurance market announced that its members will stop providing insurance for investment in thermal coal-fired power plants, thermal coal mines, oil sands and new Arctic energy exploration. Managing agents in the Lloyd’s market will no longer be able to start new contracts from 1 January 2022, with a target date of 1 January 2030 for multi-year coverage to end. The result is that coal mining, heavy oils and oil