From conserving the kiwi to restoring the forest, Aon colleagues around the world are lending a hand to protect the environment all year round. Following World Conservation Day on July 28, we recognize those who went above and beyond to preserve the planet.

In Aon locations around the world, colleagues are engaged in meaningful ways to conserve their communities. In New Zealand, there are only about 68,000 kiwis left, while the flightless bird is a national symbol of the country. Our Aon New Zealand team is a proud sponsor of The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa and funds much of the needed infrastructure to support kiwi population growth, ongoing pest control and kiwi monitoring.

“Supporting the hatching and rearing of more kiwi is a cause that touches most New Zealanders’ hearts,” said Debbie Pigou, Senior Marketing Adviser, Aon New Zealand. “The Hatchery has grown to become the largest and most successful kiwi hatching facility in the world with a 98 percent survival rate.”

And in Spain, our colleagues are working to protect the forest. Earlier this year, 35 volunteers of the Aon Spain Foundation planted 365 native trees in a degraded area of Mejorada del Campo, Madrid, as part of the "Bosques de la Fundación Aon España" climate initiative. The Aon initiative helps to convert landfills and catastrophic areas of Spain into forests to curb climate change, as well as contribute to the country’s compliance with SDG 13 of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Together, we can be a powerful force for positive change to ensure a more sustainable future for our families, communities and clients. Aon is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030 in alignment with Science-Based Targets and will accomplish that goal by reducing the environmental impact of our own operations. For example, our ESG Committee helps drive sustainable, environmentally conscious real estate and travel decisions and responsible supply-chain management practices.

To learn more about how Aon colleagues, and the firm, are working to protect the environment, read Aon’s 2020 Impact Report.