Amanda Blanc, Aviva Group CEO appointed as new WWF Ambassador

WWF recognised Amanda Blanc’s commitment to tackling climate change and prioritising the protection and restoration of nature by appointing her to its Council of Ambassadors1. 

Amanda, who is Group Chief Executive of Aviva, brings her experience of the finance sector to her role as a WWF Ambassador.

Under Amanda’s leadership, in 2021, Aviva was the first major insurer to target net zero by 2040, covering its whole business including operations, underwriting and investments. It is working towards a cut of 25% in the carbon intensity of its investments by 2025 and of 60% by 2030; and net zero carbon emissions from its own operations and supply chain by 2030.

Amanda is also Co-Chair of the Government’s Transition Plan Taskforce, which is calling for UK financial organisations to publish their plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions. This supports WWF’s ambition to see the finance sector align with the Paris Agreement goal to keep global temperature rise below 1.5oC.

Amanda is HM Treasury’s Women in Finance Charter Champion appointed to spearhead efforts to boost gender diversity across the UK financial services sector. She also chairs the Women in Climate Action Group that promotes gender equality when designing, delivering and accessing private climate finance.

Amanda Blanc, Group CEO of Aviva plc, said: “The financial sector has a huge job to unlock the trillions of investment needed to speed up the transition to net zero. Aviva joined forces with WWF to help tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis, pushing the financial sector to get its act together in helping to create a greener future. 

“I’m honoured to join the WWF-UK Council of ambassadors and look forward to working with this distinguished group in the crucial fight against climate change and nature loss.”

Tanya Steele, chief executive at WWF, said: “Amanda will be a powerful Ambassador for WWF in this critical decade for climate action. While many companies are committed to tackling climate change, we need more to step up – as Aviva are doing – and play their part to protect our planet from irreversible damage.

“Amanda’s experience and drive, coupled with her passion for the environment, will help the UK’s finance and business sectors lead the race to become the world’s first green finance centre. We’re excited to have her joining our Council of Ambassadors.”

WWF’s Council of Ambassadors is an influential group who share WWF’s aims and values and are committed to helping people and nature thrive. Its 25 members are:

• Sir David Attenborough
• Princess Esméralda of Belgium
• Poppy Okotcha
• Patrick Aryee    
• Alastair Fothergill
• Stephen Poliakoff, CBE
• Amanda Blanc
• Anna Friel
• Lord David Puttnam, CBE
• Sir Ian Cheshire
• Nicola Howson
• Simon Reeve
• Jeremy Darroch
• Sir Richard Kleinwort, Bt
• Miranda Richardson
• Will Day
• Conor McDonnell
• Keith Scholey
• Prof Jonathan Drori, CBE
• Steve Morris
• Cel Spellman
• John Elkington
• Guilda Navidi-Walker
• Guy Singh-Watson
•  Lord Turner