• First-of-its-kind Lloyd’s coverholder: Artio is the only insurer approved to underwrite carbon projects before activity begins, solving a major investment barrier.
• Market backed by global insurers: With capacity from Tokio Marine HCC, Markel, and Apollo, Artio brings early risk coverage to a $100B market-in-the-making.
• Data-driven scalability: Artio’s proprietary risk model enables global expansion across carbon project types, including DAC and ERW, in 2025.

Artio, a climate-focused insurer, has become the first company to receive Lloyd’s coverholder approval to underwrite carbon projects at the earliest stage—before implementation begins. This pioneering move enables investment in carbon solutions that have traditionally faced insurance gaps and risk-related hesitancy.

“Securing Lloyd’s coverholder status is a significant milestone,” said Bilal Hussain, co-founder and CEO of Artio. “Carbon buyers are ready to back high-quality climate solutions, but uncertainty at the earliest stages continues to hold back critical capital flows.”

Artio’s underwriting capability is backed by leading global insurers—Tokio Marine HCC, Markel, and Apollo—providing the capacity needed to insure early-stage carbon projects across diverse geographies. The offering focuses initially on afforestation, reforestation, revegetation (ARR), and biochar initiatives, with direct air capture (DAC) and enhanced rock weathering (ERW) projects next in line for 2025.

Global carbon markets are expected to hit $100 billion annually by 2035, but 2024’s early-stage investment—estimated at $16 billion—continues to be constrained by limited risk coverage options. Artio directly addresses this challenge by using its proprietary risk model to forecast project risks such as financial instability, political disruptions, or methodological shortfalls—before they occur.

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“We believe that data-driven, fit-for-purpose risk models can unlock billions in new investment,” said Hussain. “With the backing of our Lloyd’s underwriting partners, we now have the platform to do that globally.”

Founded by veterans from Bloomberg, Deloitte, and Sylvera, Artio developed its platform within six months of joining Lloyd’s Lab Cohort 13 in October 2024. Its rapid execution has positioned it at the forefront of a fast-growing, underserved sector.

“We’re pleased to welcome Artio as a Lloyd’s coverholder,” said Rosie Denée, Head of Innovation, Commercial Education and Engagement at Lloyd’s. “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.”

As buyers seek early-stage access to high-quality carbon credits at scale and lower costs, Artio’s solution may become an essential infrastructure layer—catalyzing capital and advancing net-zero goals through risk-enabled climate finance.

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