Sustainability Volunteer Group Opportunities

It is the IFoA’s goal that climate related risk is understood and considered by our members in the same way as other major risks such as interest rate risk and mortality risk. Obviously, not every piece of actuarial work is influenced by changes in interest rates or mortality, and in the same way not every piece of actuarial work is influenced by climate related risks. However, the areas of actuarial work in which climate related risk do play a role are many, including, for example, both assets and liability issues in pensions and insurance. Work in those areas cannot ignore these risks. It is important that actuarial work on climate related risks is subject to our expected high professional standards of balance, rigour, analysis, judgement, and communication.

However, many members currently have little understanding of climate risk and its possible impacts. The IFoA is introducing climate risk into its exam syllabuses, but of course that will not help those members who have already finished their exams. We are therefore considering the introduction of Climate Risk and Sustainability course, which would be available to all members.

Timescale: 

• Six Months from October 2021. 
• Deliver module content for review – 8 November 2021
• Incorporate peer review recommendations December 2021
• Attend weekly team meeting – maximum one hour

Expected activities:

• Develop module content
• Contribute to team meetings
• Contribute to discussion on module content

Experience required: Extensive knowledge of the Sustainability/Climate Change domain with particular experience of  developing organisational strategies and risk mitigations

Please submit your interest by 26 October

The Sustainability Board (in conjunction with other practice boards) has to date created ten practical guides that help actuaries to understand climate risk and its application to their fields – these are available on the IFoA Practical Guide Webpage. At least two further guides are planned.

In order to increase the effectiveness of the management of this series, a small working group is being formed in order to define and implement a process for the production and maintenance of these guides.

Timescale: An initial period of roughly two-three months to establish the process. Part of this process will be to establish the ongoing maintenance structure, and there will be the opportunity to become part of that.

Expected activities: Working as a small team to plan and document a proposed approach. Mostly via online discussions with other working group members plus follow up actions.

Experience sought: This task requires strong organisational and process-development skills. Experience of project planning is helpful. A range of backgrounds and perspectives is desirable.

Please submit your interest by 26 October

Do you have time to do writing? Come and join the ACC

The ACC (Actuaries Carbon Collaboration) is a team of actuaries and other professionals combining their skills to educate and create thought leadership on carbon. We aim to do this by publishing regular blog-style posts and engage on social media. 
 
We currently have a number of members with great ideas, and we’d like to team them up with people who are good at getting those ideas down in writing. We’re looking for people who want to get involved in this exciting and timely topic, and who have the time available as well as an inclination to write. We’re open to all ages, from students and new starters through to people who have time on their hands now they’re retired. There is no need to be an expert on the topic – it’s an ideal learning opportunity!

If you're interested please submit your interest below and topics you might be interested in writing/supporting.

If you have a particular area of interest / experience that you would like to work with the Sustainability Board on, or if you have any suggestions on areas or developments please let us know.