Green investments 'show people are concerned'

The rise of green and ethical investments indicates that more people are becoming concerned about making a "positive impact" on the environment, an investment expert has said.

Chief executive of sustainable finance association UKSIF Penny Shepherd made her comments after two surveys revealed that green investments are growing in popularity, with nearly £10 billion invested in sustainable funds.

She said: "The data shows that increasing numbers of retail investors want to make money and make a difference."

Figures released by EIRIS last week revealed that at the end of 2009, money invested in the UK's green funds had risen dramatically to £9.5 billion, from £2.4 billion in 1999.

It also showed that there were nearly 750,000 investors, compared with 200,000 ten years ago.

According to a survey from F&C published this week, 73.3 per cent of investors would think about investing ethically if there was a green trust available.

Posted by Joseph Hutton