ESG for Brokers: What It Really Means (and Why You Should Care)
- jadefenton1
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 21
You’ve probably heard the term ESG thrown around in boardrooms, insurer meetings, or on LinkedIn. But let’s be honest most brokers still ask the same question:
“What’s ESG got to do with me?”
The answer: quite a lot.
Environmental
This is about how your business impacts the planet.
Are you still sending paper documents when digital will do?
Do you know your carbon footprint from offices and travel?
Are you supporting greener products (like EV insurance or home energy-friendly covers)?
Small changes add up. Insurers are tracking it, regulators are watching it, and customers notice.
Social
This one’s about people.
How do you treat your staff?
Are you supporting diversity and inclusion?
Are customers getting fair value (think Consumer Duty, not just price)?
In short: if your people are happy and your customers are treated fairly, you’re already ticking big “S” boxes.
Governance
This is how you run the business.
Is your board (or leadership team) making transparent, well-documented decisions?
Do you have proper oversight of products, complaints, conflicts of interest?
Are you acting in line with your stated values, not just chasing quick wins?
For brokers, this is the area regulators dig into most.
Why It Matters
Insurers care: Many won’t partner long-term with brokers who can’t demonstrate ESG alignment
Regulators care: Consumer Duty, fair value, culture, it’s all part of the same ESG picture
Customers care: More people are choosing brands that do the right thing
The Broker’s Mindset
You don’t need a 50-page glossy ESG report. Start simple:
Pick one small environmental action (cut paper, offset travel)
Show staff and customers how you look after people
Tighten up governance so decisions stand up to scrutiny
That’s ESG in action. No fluff, no jargon.
The views expressed in this article are those of WHO2 Global Ltd and do not constitute professional advice. All content is for informational purposes only.