One of the UK’s biggest investors has committed to slash its net emissions to zero by 2040, a decade ahead of the Government’s target for the UK.

Aviva said it plans to become net zero in less than two decades, a move that is likely to put pressure on the companies that it invests in to change their practices.

The insurer manages around half a trillion pounds worth of assets including billions belonging to British pensions savers.

It will divest from companies if they do not meet its environmental standards.

Aviva will push the companies it invests in to report on their annual climate progress and engage with shareholders.

The pledge will “inform every aspect of operations and investment decisions at Aviva”, in what it said was the most ambitious net-zero plan of any major global insurer.

For the world to reach net-zero, it’s going to take leadership and radical ambition. And it is going to take Aviva to play our part

The insurer will aim to cut the carbon intensity of its investments by a quarter by 2025 and 60% by 2030.

By the end of 2022, it will have sold its shares in companies that make more than 5% of revenue from coal unless they have signed up to a pledge to Science Based Targets, an organisation that monitors companies’ commitments to emissions reduction.

“Aviva is taking bold steps to help tackle the climate crisis,” said chief executive Amanda Blanc.

“As the UK’s leading insurer, we have a huge responsibility to change the way we invest, insure and serve our customers. For the world to reach net-zero, it’s going to take leadership and radical ambition. And it is going to take Aviva to play our part.”

The company also plans to make major green investments. The Government decision to auto-enrol people into pension savings programmes has given the company £10 billion that it will invest in low-carbon strategies.

Last month it wrote to 30 companies classed as systemically important carbon emitters in the oil, gas, mining and utilities sectors.

“If Aviva Investors does not see evidence of serious engagement from the companies to meet the climate challenge, it will put them on its stop-list and divest itself of any assets it holds,” the company said.

Net-zero means ensuring that you do not emit more greenhouse gases than you absorb.

Richard Curtis, co-founder at Make My Money Matter, said: “In going above and beyond its peers, this net-zero pledge leads the race to the top we need to see from all financial institutions who recognise the dual role they play in fighting the climate crisis while at the same time working for their customers’ interests.”

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Businesses have a huge and vital role to play in tackling climate change. It is fantastic that Aviva is taking radical action across its business, which will help the UK eliminate its contribution to climate change and influence other businesses to move in the same direction.

“In order to reach our 2050 climate target, we must work with companies like Aviva to harness the strength of the UK’s world-leading financial sector to unleash the private capital necessary to reduce carbon emissions and support new jobs as the UK builds back greener.”