Artio brings early-stage carbon insurance to market as official Lloyd’s coverholder
By Ibrahim Sarwar
Artio is the first insurer approved by Lloyd’s to underwrite carbon projects at the earliest stages of their development, removing a crucial barrier for investment in climate solutions
Backed by leading insurers Tokio Marine HCC, Markel and Apollo, Artio provides comprehensive coverage to accelerate capital into high-quality, scalable carbon projects
Founded by experts with backgrounds at Bloomberg, Deloitte and Sylvera, Artio’s product leverages proprietary risk models, with planned expansion across project types through 2025
Artio joined Lloyd’s Lab Cohort 13 in October 2024 and, within six months, built its market-leading risk model, launched its insurance product, and secured coverholder approval with global capacity partners, rapidly turning vision into execution
LONDON, 1st May 2025: Artio, the pioneer of early-stage carbon insurance, has achieved Lloyd’s coverholder status in the latest boost in its mission to scale global carbon markets through early-stage carbon insurance. With backing from world-leading insurance groups Tokio Marine HCC, Markel and Apollo through insurance capacity, Artio leverages specialised risk models to provide early and comprehensive coverage of carbon projects around the world. It is the only insurer which can cover projects before project activity starts, filling a critical need in an underserved market segment.
Global carbon markets are a critical lever for net-zero action, and estimates suggest the market could reach $100 billion a year between 2030 and 2035, with early-stage investment totalling $16 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow significantly. However, a lack of appropriate insurance coverage for early-stage investment, sometimes requiring multiple products, is creating an investment bottleneck.
Through its data-driven approach, Artio uses its innovative risk model to forecast before projects start the risk of credit under-delivery, whether due to financial, climate, political, or methodological factors. It then underwrites that risk, giving buyers confidence to invest early in high-quality carbon projects.
Unlocking carbon markets potential
Lloyd’s coverholder status will see Artio licensed to write coverage on behalf of the world’s leading specialist insurance market, bringing Lloyd’s global reach and reputation to early-stage carbon investment.
Bilal Hussain, co-founder and CEO, commented
"Securing Lloyd’s coverholder status is a significant milestone. Carbon buyers are ready to back high-quality climate solutions, but uncertainty at the earliest stages continues to hold back critical capital flows. By providing cover before projects even begin, we’re helping create the conditions needed to accelerate the scaling of this market.
Insurance plays a vital role in signalling project quality, especially in jurisdictions where risk is high and confidence is low. We believe that data-driven, fit-for-purpose risk models can unlock billions in new investment and, with the backing of our Lloyd’s underwriting partners, we now have the platform to do that globally."
Rosie Denée, Head of Innovation, Commercial Education and Engagement, Lloyd’s added
“We’re pleased to welcome Artio as a Lloyd’s coverholder – a reflection of the market’s commitment to supporting innovative, high-impact solutions to global challenges. Carbon markets are a critical lever towards a more sustainable future, and insurance has a unique role in building confidence and catalysing the capital needed for its success.”
Expansion across project types in 2025
As carbon buyers increasingly shift their focus to early-stage projects to secure high-quality credits at lower prices and in larger volumes, early-stage carbon insurance becomes essential. It provides the confidence needed to invest upfront, helping buyers lock in future supply and cost-effectively meet their climate commitments in a fast-moving market.
Artio currently provides coverage for Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects which establish new forests or restore degraded land by planting trees and implementing soil conservation practices. It also covers biochar projects, a climate solution that turns waste into a soil-enhancing material while removing carbon from the atmosphere. It plans to expand its coverage to direct air capture (DAC) and enhanced rock weathering (ERW) projects throughout 2025.
The business was founded by Bilal Hussain and Ibrahim Sarwar, who have career backgrounds in carbon markets, climate tech and data roles at Bloomberg, Deloitte and Sylvera. Zurich’s former Chief Climate Product Officer, Lindene Patton, serves as a Non-Executive Director, providing expertise across risk management and data & insurance product development.
