ESG @ Marsh McLennan

Succeeding Together

Change is up to all of us

In 2022, our four global businesses contributed to a range of ESG issues.
As the world faces a host of urgent challenges, including geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, social inequities and the ongoing war in Ukraine, we continue to see significant opportunity to support colleagues, clients and communities with regard to environmental, social and governance initiatives.

Message From Our ESG Committee Chair

Dear colleagues, clients and shareholders,

The environmental, social and governance (ESG) landscape has rapidly evolved since our first ESG report in 2020. From shareholder activism to emerging regulations, the expectations on companies and their Boards to respond to stakeholders on ESG matters is becoming increasingly complex.

Marsh McLennan considers the viewpoints of all our stakeholders, including our shareholders, colleagues, clients and the communities where we live and work. Throughout the year, our Board collaborates with management to continually evaluate and shape our ESG strategy to be responsive to these various needs. Importantly, the Board works with management, not just to develop a clear vision of what Marsh McLennan’s ESG strategy is, but to understand how this strategy is actually impacting our stakeholders.

In that spirit, I am proud to introduce Marsh McLennan’s third annual ESG Report, which builds off the groundwork laid in the past two years to increase transparency of the tangible outcomes of our ESG initiatives. In this year’s report, we have expanded our disclosures to better connect the dots between strategy and results — from additional metrics to show progress on our diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, to reaching our initial goal of more than 30% female representation on our Board. 

We believe this allows our various stakeholders to better track the company’s performance against our commitments. 

Marsh McLennan has made great strides on ESG and is delighted to present that progress in this year’s report.

 

Sincerely,

Lloyd Yates
Chair, Board ESG Committee, Marsh McLennan

Message From Our President & CEO

Dear colleagues, clients and shareholders,

Marsh McLennan has the privilege of helping our clients find opportunity and navigate pressing issues in the areas of risk, strategy and people. A number of these issues fall within the broad spectrum of ESG — from guiding sustainable investments, to supporting diversity and inclusion, to improving healthcare systems, confronting cyber threats, and helping close the world’s protection gaps.

We have a long track record of ESG engagement and achievements. As the world faces a host of urgent issues, including geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, social inequities and the ongoing war in Ukraine, ESG is an area in which we continue to see an opportunity to support our colleagues, clients and communities.

Some of our work takes place as part of broader, global initiatives such as the UN’s Race to Resilience program, where we’re championing disaster-risk-reduction initiatives that make communities stronger. But much of it takes place with clients across our four global businesses, as we help enable them to meet their ESG goals. Increasingly, our clients’ changing needs require the collective capabilities of Marsh McLennan.

One of the areas we’re focused on is helping businesses develop low-carbon business models and manage risks associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Given the necessity of a secure energy supply for all, we believe we can best serve communities by working with operators of clean energy assets to accelerate progress to a lower carbon world and with traditional energy clients to enable them to make the transition as quickly and responsibly as possible.

Meanwhile, we’re leading by example, starting with the commitment we announced in March 2022 to set and execute low-carbon transition strategies that chart a path to net-zero across our operations by 2050 — and reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030.

I am proud of the ESG progress we’ve made that you’ll see reflected in this report, and grateful for our more than 85,000 colleagues, who help our clients and communities meet their biggest challenges, build resilience and find new possibilities every day.

 

All the best,

John Doyle
President and Chief Executive Officer

Kate Brennan, General Counsel & Executive Sponsor, Management ESG Committee:
"We believe the ESG strategies that we adopt – and are proud to share in this report – create sustainable long-term value for our stakeholders."
Environment
By making our operations more sustainable, assisting our clients on their sustainability journeys and providing our thought leadership, Marsh McLennan is helping enable the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our deep expertise, innovative thinking and the collective strength of all our colleagues will be our greatest resources as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Paul Harvey, Head of Global Sourcing & Procurement:
"We’re integrating sustainability considerations into our purchasing decisions. For example, in 2022, 99% of our purchased laptops were EPEAT Gold certified."
Highlights

Colleagues in the UK volunteered at the Keddlestone Community Centre which includes multiple community gardens, two orchards and hundreds of individual and communal beds. The group completed a variety of tasks including planting seedlings, weeding flower beds and repairing wooden planters.

Highlights

Colleagues in the UK volunteered at the Keddlestone Community Centre which includes multiple community gardens, two orchards and hundreds of individual and communal beds. The group completed a variety of tasks including planting seedlings, weeding flower beds and repairing wooden planters.

Internal

  • Committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across our global business operations by 2050, with a 50% emissions reduction by 2030.
  • Maintained certification as a CarbonNeutral® company for all of our global operations.
  • Eliminated single-use plastics in 100% of office pantries.
  • External

    • Advanced conversations at COP 27 around the orderly investment transition, the insurance sector’s role in climate adaptation and the link between climate and nature.
    • Oliver Wyman launched a 3D carbon accounting service that allows companies to quantify and better understand their emissions.
    • Mercer developed a climate-investing benchmarking tool and framework that provides practical climate investing protocols.
    Social
    At Marsh McLennan, our people are the foundation of the company, and they work every day to make a difference in the moments that matter for clients, communities and each other. We strive to help our colleagues achieve their best, feel a sense of belonging, prioritize their health and well-being and give back to their communities. We are also accelerating impact for our clients by setting new standards in innovation.
    Edith Clee, Global Head, HR Strategy, Analytics & Rewards:
    "We leverage data‑driven approaches to inform, shape and monitor our people strategy. We use these insights to create engaging work experiences."
    Highlights

    We launched our RISE program in 2022, partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and organizations such as NAAIA to create a pool of diverse talent. Colleagues shared their experiences at the National Black MBA Association conference. 

    Highlights

    We launched our RISE program in 2022, partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and organizations such as NAAIA to create a pool of diverse talent. Colleagues shared their experiences at the National Black MBA Association conference. 

    Internal

    • Earned an 80% favorability score on our annual all-colleague engagement survey.
    • 95% of our colleagues completed at least one training or learning program across our learning platforms.
    • Over 4,000 colleagues raised $1.4 million to support the people of Ukraine through three humanitarian organizations.

    External

    • Mercer published its Stepping up for Equity study to help employers craft a clear, comprehensive and impactful roadmap for closing the career, health and wealth gaps in the US workforce for Black employees.
    • Lippincott worked pro bono with NYC Pride to evolve its brand and bring to life in a new brand identity.
    • Marsh McLennan published Life support: A people prescription for resilient health systems, which examines the massive workforce challenge faced by acute-, primary- and secondary-care providers.

    Internal

    • Earned an 80% favorability score on our annual all-colleague engagement survey.
    • 95% of our colleagues completed at least one training or learning program across our learning platforms.
    • Over 4,000 colleagues raised $1.4 million to support the people of Ukraine through three humanitarian organizations.

    External

    • Mercer published its Stepping up for Equity study to help employers craft a clear, comprehensive and impactful roadmap for closing the career, health and wealth gaps in the US workforce for Black employees.
    • Lippincott worked pro bono with NYC Pride to evolve its brand and bring to life in a new brand identity.
    • Marsh McLennan published Life support: A people prescription for resilient health systems, which examines the massive workforce challenge faced by acute-, primary- and secondary-care providers.
    Governance
    At Marsh McLennan, strong governance practices drive our business and are the foundation of our company. We’re committed to upholding best practices in corporate governance, conducting ourselves ethically and earning and keeping the confidence of our shareholders. Our ESG initiatives are built upon our dedication to strong governance.
    Connor Kuratek, Deputy General Counsel & Corporate Secretary:
    "We know maintaining strong governance practices requires proactively anticipating and adapting to the evolving needs of all stakeholders."
    Highlights

    President & CEO John Doyle met with policymakers to discuss the importance of cyber insurance for cyber security and how it makes institutions and businesses more resilient in the face of cyber risk.

    Highlights

    President & CEO John Doyle met with policymakers to discuss the importance of cyber insurance for cyber security and how it makes institutions and businesses more resilient in the face of cyber risk.

    Internal

    • Reached initial goal of 30% women representation on our Board of Directors.
    • Introduced a new Financial Crime training to safeguard Marsh McLennan against illegal activity and the risks posed by sanctions, corruption and money laundering.
    • Strengthened our cybersecurity capabilities and developed a multi-year plan to further mature our program.

    External

    • Marsh developed the ESG Risk Rating (ERR) tool to help clients self‑assess the maturity of ESG within their organizations. 
    • President & CEO, John Doyle, met with the Office of the National Cyber Director to discuss the insurance industry’s important role in enhancing global cybersecurity. 
    • Our Government Relations team engaged the US Treasury and the US Federal Insurance Office regarding the (re)insurance market in Ukraine and how to support Ukrainian grain exports and global food security.