Ethical investment: It's easy being green when you know how

Interest in ethical investment increases significantly when an explanation of sustainable investment themes and opportunities is given, research from The Co-operative Investments has revealed.

According to the study, ethical investments currently account for just two per cent of the overall UK market. However, when the concepts and reasons behind it are explained, interest in ethical investment increased to 65 per cent of investors.

Commenting, Zack Hocking, head of investments at The Co-operative Investments said: "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."

When it comes to ethical investment themes, 71 per cent of investors said that a global power shortage was their driving theme, while climate change and technology both attracted 69 per cent.

Mr Hocking adds: "The world is changing and issues targeted by sustainable investment such as the need to tackle aging populations, global power shortage and climate change are creating attractive business opportunities, which in turn are creating great investment opportunities consumers can take advantage of."

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