Aegon Saves CO2 by Using Mailock

Aegon has saved an estimated 270 tonnes of CO2 by using Mailock to send confidential documents securely by email instead of print and post.

Beyond Encryption and distribution partner Origo built an impact assessment tool to quantify those savings across Mailock deployments in financial services.

The tool estimates emissions avoided by comparing secure email delivery with the print, postage, and disposal costs of paper-based communication.

How Aegon Reached 270 Tonnes

One of the UK's leading financial services providers, Aegon, was among the first to adopt Mailock for securely emailing confidential documents.

Based on the messages sent through Mailock, the impact assessment estimates Aegon's savings at approximately 270 tonnes of CO2.

By moving sensitive paperwork off the print-and-post route, Aegon cut the emissions tied to paper, envelopes, and physical delivery while keeping a secure delivery path for regulated communications.

"This dramatic reduction in the need to print and post important paperwork is one of the key ways financial services companies can make significant CO2 emission savings by examining their day-to-day operations.

Invariably, this will mean digitising processes to create greater efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance, discarding legacy ways of working which are inconsistent with net zero targets."

Ronnie Taylor, Chief Distribution Officer, Aegon

Ronnie Taylor's point reflects a practical shift: firms are under growing pressure to report operational emissions as well as headline corporate targets.

What The Impact Assessment Measures

The assessment tool analyses the factors that make print-and-post emissions add up at scale, then applies those inputs to Mailock message data from individual deployments.

Those inputs matter because two firms sending the same number of documents can produce very different carbon totals depending on page count, print method, and delivery distance.

Why Carbon From Print And Post Is Back In Focus

The UK is aiming for net zero emissions by 2050, with a 78% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035.

COP26, held in Glasgow in November 2021, put fresh pressure on financial services firms to cut operational emissions from day-to-day delivery as well as from investment portfolios.

"These carbon savings are just the start… COP26 has increased pressure on financial services companies to cut their CO2 emissions, as has the Chancellor's recent announcement that London Stock Exchange-listed companies will need to set down detailed plans as to how they will help Britain reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Financial services will face increasing pressure to commit to carbon reductions, and Mailock could be the key to unlocking such reductions."

Anthony Rafferty, CEO, Origo

Anthony Rafferty's comment reflects the reporting pressure building on listed firms and their supply chains across financial services.

What Regulators Expect From Financial Services On ESG

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published its ESG Strategy in 2021, aligned with COP26 Finance Day.

That work sits alongside wider regulator expectations on climate reporting, including the FCA's joint statement on climate change adaptation reports with the PRA, TPR, and FRC.

For firms reviewing how customer documents are delivered, print-and-post emissions are one of the operational areas that can be measured, reduced, and evidenced alongside security and compliance controls.

"Tens of thousands of intermediaries are already using the industry solution with increasing institutional adoption.

Aegon's carbon-saving success demonstrates the considerable impact big corporates can have in a short period of time by digitising their communications.

The impact of COVID-19 and home working, alongside the increasing threat of cybercriminal activity, have increased consumer appetite with environmental awareness a critical factor and core part of our mission as a business.

Mailock is here to assist financial services companies with their ESG considerations and carbon pledges, a secure and auditable delivery substitute for traditional mail."

Paul Holland, Founder and CEO, Beyond Encryption (Mailock)

Institutional adoption is where operational proof starts to compound: one large provider changing document delivery can move meaningful volume off paper in a short period.

"When a firm like Aegon moves confidential documents off print-and-post, the carbon saving sits alongside a delivery change operations teams can run at scale. Mailock gives regulated firms a secure email route with evidence of who received what, and when."

Adam Byford, COO, Beyond Encryption (Mailock)

Firms weighing similar moves can use the impact assessment to model savings from their own Mailock message volumes before committing to wider rollout.

FAQs

What Is Mailock?

Mailock is a secure email solution designed to protect sensitive information while reducing the need for paper-based communication.

How Does Mailock Help Reduce CO2 Emissions?

By digitising communications, Mailock helps cut the carbon footprint associated with printing, postage, and paper waste.

Who Can Benefit from Using Mailock?

Any company, but specifically regulated companies such as financial providers, advisers, and organisations handling sensitive client data can use Mailock to enhance security and sustainability.

How Does the CO2 Impact Assessment Work?

Our proprietary assessment estimates CO2 savings by analysing factors such as document size, print and post emissions, and delivery distances.

Why Should Companies Focus on Digital Communication?

Digital communication improves efficiency, reduces costs, enhances security, and supports sustainability goals like net zero carbon emissions.

References

The UK's Plans and Progress to Reach Net Zero by 2050, House of Commons, 2023

Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, UK Government, 2023

A Strategy for Positive Change: Our ESG Priorities, Financial Conduct Authority, 2021

Joint Statement on the Publication of Climate Change Adaptation Reports, Financial Conduct Authority, 2021

Reviewed by

Sam Kendall, 25.05.26

This content is for general information only and is not legal advice.