U.K. Press Puts Ethical Investment in Perspective
Nov 16th, 2009 • Posted in: NewsWhile some sectors lag, ethical banking is strong; recent surveys indicate substantial interest in ethical investment, even if it still accounts for small share of marketplace
LONDON and GLASGOW
The United Kingdom is seeing mixed results on ethical investments, according to several reports published in concert with the recent National Ethical Investment Week, which was organized by a coalition of charities, fund managers, and financial advisers.
The Glasgow Herald notes that while there apparently is great public concern about the environment and the ethics of the nation’s banking industry, there is little evidence that Scottish investors really are interested in putting money into ethical funds. A straw poll of investment advisers conducted by the Herald indicates little demand for green and ethical investments.
Still, the London Daily Mail reports that another poll indicates that two-thirds of investors in Britain want to invest ethically, but are challenged by the prospect of garnering returns comparable to traditional investments.
The London-based Independent reports that one area of investment, ethical banking, seems to be holding up well in the aftermath of Britain’s banking crisis, which the report claims has caused many to lose faith in the mainstream industry.
Perhaps the most innovate take on this came from the Financial Times, which cites a study purporting to show that as many as two in three investors are ethical at heart, but don’t realize it.
A survey from Co-Operative Investments shows that even though ethical investment currently accounts for less than 2 percent of the overall U.K. market, 65 percent of investors actually want to make ethical investments after their options are explained to them.
Zack Hocking, head of investments at Co-Operative, told the Financial Times: “The study confirms that sustainable investment is attractive to a majority of investors providing they understand the remit and the opportunities…. It also clearly shows the important role the advice industry has to play in promoting sustainable investments to all consumers and not just those of an ethical persuasion.”
Sources: Financial Times, Nov. 12 – Independent, Nov. 8 – Daily Mail, Nov. 8 – Glasgow Herald, Nov. 6.
For more information, see: Related Newsline story, June 15 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 15, 2008 — Related Newsline story, July 21, 2008 — Related Newsline story, July 14, 2008 — Related Newsline story, June 2, 2008.
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