Ethical investments have become even more important to investors today than they were when the first ethical investment product was launched 25 years ago, Friends Provident has claimed.
New research by Friends Provident shows that around three quarters of Brits now believe it is important that companies take ethical, social and environmental issues more seriously, as 54 per cent of investors think investing ethically is more important now than it was in 1984.
Friends Provident – which was the first investment provider to offer an ethical investment in 1984 – has also revealed that two thirds of investors now expect financial advisers to offer ethical investment products.
Meanwhile, a further 45 per cent of investors think it is important for pension fund managers to consider investments that are socially responsible, so long as they are considered a 'good' investment.
It seems pollution is one of the ethical biggest concerns amongst Brits, as 35 per cent of investors said they were worried about the pollution of land, sea and air, while energy conservation and climate change also rank highly.
Commenting on findings, Trevor Matthews, chief executive officer at Friends Provident, said that "without a doubt ethical issues are on Brits' minds today more than ever".
"We are seeing this trend continue into people's investing habits and surprisingly over half are prepared to take a lower return on their investments if it means investing in companies that are socially responsible," he said.
He added that the findings by the Friends Provident also correspond with those from the Investment Management Association, which indicates that "investors view ethical funds as a long-term investment".
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