MAASTRICHT, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACE Group today announced that the ‘ACE Foundation – International’ will donate € 50,000 to environmental charity Natuurmonumenten to restore the exceptional natural habitat, threatened with extinction, on Mount Saint Peter (‘Sint-Pietersberg’) in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The donation was awarded during the 2013 FERMA (Federation of European Risk Management Associations) Forum which is taking place in Maastricht and reflects ACE’s commitment to managing its own ecological impact as well as contributing to environmental causes in the markets in which it operates.
With the grant from ACE, Natuurmonumenten will be able to clear the steep slopes and restore rare flora and fauna in the Maasbos area and Eagle Owl Valley on Mount Saint Peter. Among other things, Natuurmonumenten will improve the habitat of the eagle owl by digging steep faces, providing additional breeding and resting places and introducing goat grazing in Eagle Owl Valley to open up the area, making it richer in prey. With the support of volunteers and the Province of Limburg, Natuurmonumenten will closely monitor the impact on wildlife and vegetation and measure the success of the project.
Ron Verhulsdonck, Country President, Benelux, at ACE, said:
“We are proud to partner with Natuurmonumenten on this important project to enhance biodiversity and restore the natural habitat at Mount Saint Peter on the occasion of the 2013 FERMA Forum in Maastricht. Environmental issues are a key priority for us at ACE. We provide solutions that help clients manage their environmental exposures across the Benelux and wider European region and we recognise our own responsibility to reduce our environmental impact, as well as to make meaningful contributions to local environmental causes.”
Eduard Habets, Area Manager at Natuurmonumenten, said:
“The habitat on the Sint-Pietersberg, limestone rock vegetation and the living and breeding area for the eagle owl, is rare in the Netherlands. Without this project, this landscape could disappear, which would be catastrophic for biodiversity. Furthermore, Eagle Owl Valley would soon become a dense forest, endangering the living and breeding area of the eagle owl at Sint-Pietersberg. In general, the eagle owl is rare in the Netherlands, so every breeding success must be encouraged.”
In addition to philanthropy, ACE is also committed to controlling its own environmental impact and helping clients manage their environmental risks. ACE has reduced its global greenhouse gas emissions by 27% since 2006, earning recognition on CDP’s Climate Performance Leadership1 Indexes in 2012 and 2013. ACE has been a pioneer in developing advanced environmental insurance solutions, including coverages for premises-based exposures, contractors’ and project pollution liability, renewable energy and a property policy that enables greener rebuilding after a loss.
For more information about ACE’s overall environmental initiatives, please visit ACE and the Environment. For more information about Natuurmonumenten and Mount Saint Peter, please visit www.natuurmonumenten.nl andwww.natuurmonumenten.nl/sintpietersberg.
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About Natuurmonumenten
In a densely populated country such as the Netherlands, nature is especially vulnerable. Natuurmonumenten preserves 355 areas throughout the country and has been doing so since 1905 with the vital support of 3,600 volunteers, 732,000 members and the business community.
About Philanthropy at ACE
ACE strives to make a lasting, positive impact on communities where its employees live and work through grants, matching gifts, employee donation campaigns and volunteer activities. Through its Foundations, ACE provides significant financial support each year to organisations around the world, focusing on the areas of the environment, education, and poverty and health.
About ACE
The ACE Group is one of the world’s largest multiline property and casualty insurers. With operations in 53 countries, ACE provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of the ACE Group, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a component of the S&P 500 index.
Visit www.acegroup.com/eu
Contact:
Juliet Massey
Communications Manager EMEA, ACE
Tel: +44 (0)20 7173 7793
juliet.massey@acegroup.com