includes pledges to further cut CO2 emissions, reduce the use of coal, and significantly increase the amount of money necessary to help poor countries cope with the effects of climate change. The 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (“COP27”) was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. Building on the outcomes and momentum of COP26, nations were expected to demonstrate at COP27 that they are in a new era of implementation by turning their commitments under the Paris Agreement into action.
As a result of the above, energy companies and other companies engaged in the production or storage of fossil fuels may experience unexpected or premature devaluations or write-offs of their fossil fuel reserves. A material change in the asset value of fossil fuels or the securities of energy companies and companies in these related sectors may therefore materially adversely affect the Group’s investment portfolio. A material change in the asset value of fossil fuels or the securities of energy companies and companies in related sectors will impact the Fidelis investment portfolio in the event that any change in asset values leads to a shock to the wider economy and overall asset values.
Failure to meet ESG expectations or standards, or achieve ESG goals or commitments could adversely affect the Group’s business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
In recent years, there has been an increased focus from shareholders, business partners, cedants, regulators, politicians, and the public in general on ESG matters, including greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint and climate-related risks, renewable energy, fossil fuels, diversity, equity and inclusion, responsible sourcing and supply chain, human rights, and social responsibility.
The Group has established goals, commitments, and targets, as further discussed in “Business—Our Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Matters.” Such goals, commitments, and targets reflect the Group’s current plans and aspirations and do not guarantee that the Group will be able to achieve them. Evolving shareholder and cedant expectations, regulatory obligations or political pressures and the Group’s efforts to manage, report on and accomplish set goals present numerous operational, regulatory, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, any of which could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s reputation, business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
The Group may be unable to satisfactorily meet evolving expectations, standards, regulations and disclosure requirements related to ESG. Such matters can affect the willingness or ability of investors to make an investment in FIHL, as well as the Group’s ability to meet its regulatory obligations, including compliance with any rules related to carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions. Negative perceptions regarding the scope or sufficiency and transparency of the Group’s commitment to and reporting on ESG matters and events that give rise to actual, potential, or perceived compliance with social responsibility matters could hurt the Group’s reputation and cause cedants to seek alternative business partners. Such loss of reputation could make it difficult and costly for the Group to regain the confidence of its business partners resulting in an adverse effect on the Group’s business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. Further, the Group’s failure or perceived failure to satisfy various reporting standards and regulations on a timely basis, or at all, could have similar negative impacts or expose it to government enforcement actions and private litigation.
The management of the Group’s investment portfolio as a result of the Group’s sustainability principles and ESG objectives could have an adverse impact on the Group’s investment portfolio, business, financial condition, liquidity or operating results.
The Group’s investment portfolio is designed to be managed consistent with the sustainability principles and ESG objectives adopted by the Group, as further discussed in “Business—Our Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Matters.” As a result, the Group may forgo certain investment opportunities available to it in order to comply with such investment portfolio management criteria. This may cause the performance of the Group’s investment portfolio to differ from what it may otherwise be able to achieve if it was not managed consistent with these sustainability principles and ESG objectives.
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