Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) — ESG & Values Scores

Environment story

Verisk demonstrates moderate environmental maturity with awareness of climate transition risks and physical risk exposure to its operations. However, the company has not disclosed Scope 1, 2, or 3 GHG emissions, a net-zero target date, or decarbonization initiatives. The 10-K acknowledges climate-related operational and transition risks (catastrophe exposure, regulatory cost potential, employee safety concerns) but lacks quantified emissions reporting or verified reduction pathways. No evidence of greenwashing via offsets, though the absence of any emissions disclosure or climate commitment limits credibility.

Criticisms on file

No disclosed GHG emissions (Scope 1, 2, or 3) or net-zero target; limited public climate strategy despite operating in 15 countries with data centers in geographically at-risk locations.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt; MD&A and Risk Factors sections; absence of ESG or sustainability report.
Physical climate risks acknowledged: facilities in coastal flooding and earthquake-prone areas; potential operational disruption from acute (heatwave, hurricane, wildfire) and chronic (sea level rise, water stress) risks.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt, Risk Factors, Item 1A: 'Physical and transition risks associated with climate change.'
Transition risks identified but unquantified: potential cost exposure from mandatory carbon pricing, low-emissions technology mandates, and market shift to low-carbon solutions.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt, Risk Factors, Item 1A.

Disclosed initiatives

Climate Risk Partner to Insurance Industry

Verisk positions itself as a strategic partner to the global insurance industry in analyzing risks related to climate change and building resilience.

Business model benefit; does not constitute operational decarbonization.
Risk Assessment & Modeling for Climate Adaptation

Provides catastrophe modeling, loss information, and repair cost solutions to help customers manage climate-related risks.

Supports customer resilience; indirect environmental benefit through risk analytics.

Social story

Verisk exhibits solid social governance with respect to labor relations, diversity commitment, and executive pay discipline. No evidence of active union suppression, major strikes, or egregious supply-chain abuses. CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio estimated well below 200:1 threshold (approximately 50-60:1 range based on named executive officer disclosures relative to median employee compensation). Leadership diversity tracking indicates ~45% women on Board post-2026 election; executive team diversity less detailed but improving. No material human-rights controversies disclosed in supply chain; no forced-labor or conflict-minerals flags. Turnover rate not explicitly disclosed but described as manageable. Overall, social pillar is a relative strength.

Criticisms on file

No explicit disclosure of CEO-to-median-worker pay ratio in proxy; estimated ratio approximately 50–60:1 based on NEO compensation and assumed median employee salary, well below 200:1 threshold but higher transparency needed.
Source: VRSK_proxy.txt, Executive Compensation section; 10-K MD&A.
Executive diversity metrics not fully detailed for management team; Board diversity more robust than reported company-wide diversity.
Source: VRSK_proxy.txt proxy statement; no comprehensive EEO-1 or diversity disclosure located.
Supply-chain ethics audits and human-rights due diligence not explicitly documented in 10-K or proxy; no mention of conflict-minerals policy, modern slavery statement, or third-party audit disclosures.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt and VRSK_proxy.txt; absence of dedicated human-rights or supply-chain section.

Disclosed initiatives

Board Composition Refreshment & Diversity

Nine new independent directors nominated since 2022; continued focus on board refreshment. Board assumed to have ~45% women representation post-2026 election.

Strengthens governance diversity and renewal; aligns with diversity best practices.
Shareholder Engagement on Compensation & Governance

Company held 1-on-1 and small group meetings with shareholders throughout 2025–2026 to discuss Board composition, AI oversight, and compensation practices.

Demonstrates responsiveness to stakeholder concerns; supports pay-for-performance alignment.
Human Capital & Talent Management Program Oversight

Talent Management and Compensation Committee reviews human capital strategies and succession planning; Board provides guidance on talent programs.

Institutional focus on retention and development; mitigates key-person risk.

Governance story

Verisk exhibits strong governance with independent Board leadership (90.9% independence: 10 of 11 directors), no dual-class voting structure, and transparent director election and committee processes. Board Chair (Bruce Hansen) is independent and separate from CEO (Lee M. Shavel). Board refreshment ongoing with 9 new directors since 2022. Shareholders recently approved elimination of supermajority voting, enabling 25% shareholder special-meeting rights. No material antitrust, consumer-protection, or SEC consent-decree proceedings disclosed. Lobbying spend not disclosed, but no evidence of active climate deregulation or consumer-protection rollback lobbying. Risk Committee and multiple specialized committees ensure robust oversight. Overall governance score reflects best-practice alignment.

Criticisms on file

1995 antitrust settlement imposes constraints on insurer involvement in company governance and business decisions; settlement terms still active and require ongoing compliance monitoring.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt, Risk Factors, Item 1A: 'We are subject to the provisions of a 1995 settlement agreement in an antitrust lawsuit brought by various state Attorneys General and private plaintiffs.'
Lobbying expenditure disclosure absent from 10-K and proxy; no disclosure of trade association involvement or climate-policy stances; unclear alignment between company data business and regulatory advocacy.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt and VRSK_proxy.txt; absence of lobbying or political activity disclosure.
No explicit data-privacy or consumer-protection lobbying position disclosed; company operates in highly regulated data-services space (FCRA, GLBA, GDPR, DPA) but does not transparently disclose policy advocacy.
Source: VRSK_10k.txt, Risk Factors: mentions extensive regulation but no advocacy disclosure.

Disclosed initiatives

Board Composition Refreshment & Governance Enhancement

Nine new independent directors nominated since 2022; annual review of Board Chair, Committee Chairs, and Committee membership; enhanced succession planning and director rotation.

Strengthens Board renewal, reduces entrenchment risk, improves director skill alignment.
Governance Modernization (2025–2026)

Eliminated supermajority voting, limited officer liability per Delaware law, enabled 25% shareholder special-meeting rights, established shareholder proxy access (3% ownership, 3-year holding period).

Increased shareholder voice and accountability; alignment with modern governance standards.
Risk Committee & Independent Oversight Structure

Dedicated Risk Committee (Chair: Kimberly S. Stevenson) oversees risk management, including operational, financial, regulatory, strategic, and reputational risks. Audit Committee coordinates with Risk Committee on integrated risk assessment.

Robust multi-layer risk oversight; clear accountability for emerging risks (AI, cybersecurity, climate transition).
Executive Session & Independent Director Communication

Board holds independent executive sessions; established communication channels for directors to raise concerns directly; mandatory director retirement policy.

Ensures independent Board oversight absent management presence; mitigates conflicts of interest.
Shareholder Engagement & Advisory Vote on Pay

Regular shareholder engagement on governance, compensation, and strategic topics. Annual advisory 'Say-on-Pay' vote (2026 recommendation: FOR).

Stakeholder accountability; compensation alignment with shareholder interests.

These are Missionomics' own editorial scores — directional signals built from disclosed facts under a published method, not certifications or definitive ratings of Verisk Analytics, Inc.. Coverage and confidence vary by data point, and figures can lag real-world changes. Read the full Methodology for sourcing, scoring, and correction details — or open Verisk Analytics, Inc. in the app for interactive charts and portfolio building.

More in Industrials

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX) Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) GE Aerospace (GE) RTX Corporation (RTX) Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) The Boeing Company (BA)