Biodiversity – the diversity of genes, species, and habitats – is the basis of our existence. In Switzerland, half of all habitats and a third of all species are currently under threat. Preserving biological diversity is also important for protecting the climate. We have set ourselves ambitious targets in our climate strategy: As an insurer and corporate citizen, we want to protect what is really important – and that includes biodiversity.
AXA celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2025. In honor of this anniversary, we used Flora Futura to promote biodiversity in Switzerland. Our aim was to create one square meter of biodiverse land for every AXA customer. This works out to some two million square meters of biodiverse habitat, or the equivalent of about 280 soccer fields. At the end of 2025, we are proud to say that we’ve reached our goal!
We launched a variety of projects throughout Switzerland in order to achieve this goal. AXA provided the funding to get the projects off the ground. After our initial input, the projects were adopted and are now being carried forward by local communities, organizations or individuals. This allowed us to ensure that our efforts will be of long-term benefit to Switzerland and our natural surroundings.
You can find out more about our projects here:
Flora Futura - Overview of restoration projects
Switzerland’s species-rich meadows and grasslands have shrunk by 95 percent since 1900, and the quality of the remaining areas is declining. Herds of grazing goats are being brought in to combat shrub encroachment. Unwanted woody plants recede as the goats graze on them. This creates light and space for plants that are wanted. Read more about the grazing goats project in our blog
Wild hay making is a centuries-old tradition in meadows and grasslands on steep terrain. There are several such areas of grassland in Avers, the highest-altitude year-round settlement in Europe. With support from AXA, the biodiversity of this previously unused land can be enhanced. Read more about the wild hay making project in our blog
The Calanca Valley in Graubünden also has many precious meadows and grasslands in which biodiversity is declining because of shrub encroachment. AXA’s participation has made it possible to expand an existing project in this region, with woody plants being removed and the land prepared for subsequent management. Read more about the Southern Graubünden valleys project in our blog
Standard-size fruit trees are very valuable for the climate and for biodiversity as they sequester a large amount of carbon and provide a unique habitat for plants, insects, birds and small animals. But today, fruit growers tend to plant dwarf and semi-dwarf trees since they don’t require as much time or effort. AXA helps the growers improve the ecology of standard tree orchards by building structures to host wildlife or planting new tall-growing trees. Read more about the standard fruit trees project in our blog
Home to the largest contiguous forest in the Swiss Central Plateau, the Jorat Nature Discovery Park near Lausanne deserves protecting because of the remarkable variety of plants and animals it supports. The tasks of park employees range from using snags – dead trees that are left standing – to create habitat for birds and insects, to mapping out and maintaining ecologically valuable areas. Read more about the Jorat Nature Discovery Park project in our blog
The Campo Cortoi cooperative in the Verzasca Valley maintains the Monti di Cortoi stone cabins that were once used for summer grazing and the surrounding grounds covering some 1,000 square meters. Volunteers turn out in force to take care of the old chestnut trees and clear out scrub bushes. They also mend the dry-stone walls and restore the terraces so they are usable again, which really helps preserve the biodiversity of the area. Read more about the Campo Cortoi project in our blog
Promoting and preserving biodiversity already plays a major role in AXA’s approach to sustainable investing: We now invest only in companies that meet certain criteria. For example, palm oil producers that do not have internationally recognized certification (e.g. RSPO) or that are linked to rain forest destruction are on our ESG investment exclusion list. This is because rain forest destruction upsets the balance of the ecosystem and destroys the habitat of species that are often already endangered.
AXA was also among the founding signatories of the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge, an initiative to which more than 88 financial services firms have already signed up. The participating companies are committed to making a positive contribution to biodiversity through their activities and investments. The aim is to reverse the strong downward trend of biological diversity in this decade.
Together with the WWF environmental organization, AXA published recommendations on what investors can do about the loss of biological diversity. We believe preservation of biodiversity can be achieved through new forms of public-private collaboration.
The report Into the Wild – integrating nature into investment strategies aims to raise awareness of biodiversity loss and its economic and financial implications. It makes several recommendations, including the creation of a Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures to promote the protection and restoration of biological diversity. The report also calls for the creation of biodiversity risk metrics geared to investors.
As an insurance company and global investor, AXA is actively committed to protecting biodiversity and preserving the natural balance of our planet. The AXA Impact Fund “Climate & Biodiversity” is one of the global initiatives through which we invest in sustainable biodiversity conservation projects. AXA Switzerland is underscoring its sustainability initiatives with a commitment of USD 20 million in the AXA Impact Fund "Climate & Biodiversity". The investment volume of this fund was increased twofold to USD 350 million worldwide.
The AXA Research Fund supports academic research into biodiversity risks. In 2019 the Fund published a study, Biodiversity at Risk, which highlights the interactions between nature, climate change, business, and security. The goal of this study is to raise public awareness and support informed decision making.
