News Tag: ethical investment
March 5, 2010
Norway's government pension fund can no longer be invested in tobacco companies under new guidelines introduced by the country's Ministry of Finance.
"Production of tobacco has been introduced as a new criterion for exclusion, and we have already followed up the Council on Ethics' recommendations to sell our holdings in tobacco producing companies," said finance minister Sigbjørn Johnsen.
The $450 billion ...
Norway excludes tobacco investments from oil fund
by David Masters
March 4, 2010
Faith communities need to do more to understand the environmental and social consequences of the financial markets, according to church leaders in Scotland.
Rev Ian Galloway, convenor of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council, said: "Communities of faith need to consider the social and environmental impacts of our financial system."
He added that churches need to take the lead in working out ...
Kirk organises fair finance conference
by David Masters
February 8, 2010
The finance arm of the Church of England has said it will withdraw its £2.5 million investment from Vedanta, an India-based mining project, over concerns about human rights abuses by the company.
In a statement released Friday, the church said Vedanta has not done enough to improve its respect for human rights.
Campaigners who believe the church should invest ethically have long ...
Church snubs mining company over ethical concerns
by David Masters
February 5, 2010
Socially responsible investments marginally outperformed the standard market over the past decade, new research has revealed.
Jantzi, a Toronto-based environmental and social responsibility research firm, said its Jantzi Social Index (JSI), made up of green and ethical companies, produced an average annual return of 5.68% between 2000 and 2009.
This is compared to an average 5.61% annualised gain for the S&P/TSX (Standard & Poor's/Toronto ...
Ethical investments outperform standard market
by David Masters
November 30, 2009
John Wesley, the 18th century founder of the Methodist Church, was one of the first people to champion ethical investments, it has been revealed.
Wesley's investment motto, which he declared in a sermon more than 200 years ago, was to " Gain all we can without hurting our neighbour."
Wesley urged investors to avoid putting money into businesses such as tanning and chemical ...
Ethical investment has 200 year history
by David Masters
November 21, 2009
Only half of Brits would be interested in finding out the ethical credentials of the next financial product they purchase, new research has discovered.
The EIRIS (Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions)-commissioned poll found that just 44% of the British public are curious to know whether or not their money is being invested ethically.
Of these, a quarter would discard the information ...
Only 50% of Brits care about investing ethically
by David Masters
November 10, 2009
More than two thirds of the British public consider their outlook on life to be either very or fairly green and ethical, new research has discovered.
The YouGov poll, conducted on behalf of National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW), also found that nearly half (49%) of people with savings and investments would like to use their money to make a difference.
However, despite the professed good intentions, only 8% ...
Brits profess desire to invest ethically
by David Masters
November 2, 2009
Nearly nine in ten independent financial advisers (IFAs) offer advice on green and ethical investments, a new study has found.
Research commissioned by National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW) and the Association of Independent Financial Advisers found 87% of IFAs will offer advice to clients on investing their money ethically.
This is compared to 70% of IFAs in 2008.
Over a third (34%) of IFAs ...
Most IFAs offer ethical investment advice
by David Masters
October 30, 2009
The financial crisis has not changed the attitude of investors towards green and ethical investments, new research has discovered.
In a poll of financial advisers just 18% said the economic downturns has impacted on the attitude of clients towards green and ethical investment.
This is compared to 85% of advisers who said the crisis has impacted on client attitudes towards traditional investments.
The UK ...
Investors keep their principles during recession
by David Masters
October 20, 2009
In the run up to National Ethical Investment Week (NIEW) financial advisers are being offered the chance to receive training in ethical finance.
At a series of seminars in London and Southampton, experts will explain how financial advisers can use money to make a difference.
The events, hosted by the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) and the Association of Independent Financial Advisers ...
IFAs offered ethical investment training
by David Masters
October 17, 2009
Investors opening a Virgin Money Climate Change ISA might expect their money to be invested in firms carefully screened for their ethical credentials.
In truth, however, their savings could be invested in arms manufacturers, mining firms, tobacco companies, and oil giants.
This shocking discovery was made by ethical business blogger Toby Webb.
"I had expected the fund to be investing in ...
Virgin Money’s ethical ISA invests in weapons and oil
by David Masters
October 9, 2009
Australian Ethical Investment (Aus Ethical) has launched a new property fund that invests in eco-friendly buildings.
The Aus Ethical Property Trust only invests in energy efficient buildings with a minimum 5-star Green Star rating.
Investors in the fund should expect long-term capital growth and a moderate income stream, the company said.
The fund aims to provide returns at 3% above the consumer price index ...
Aus Ethical launches eco-friendly property fund
by David Masters
October 7, 2009
The Church of England has spoken out in support of hedge funds and has expressed concern that EU proposals to tighten hedge fund regulation could damage its investments.
The Church Commissioners, who manage the Church's £4.4 billion assets, said the European Union directive would limit their ability to make money for the Church.
In a letter to the House of Lords, signed jointly with ...
Church opposes hedge fund reform
by David Masters
October 2, 2009
A new website launched this week enables businesses, charities, financial advisers and investors to find out about ethical investment events happening in their area.
The events portal of the National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW) lists ethical investment conferences and training events happening across the UK throughout Ethical Investment Week.
Events include seminars on green and ethical investments, and conferences for senior executives ...
Ethical investment events listed at new portal
by David Masters
Ecclesiastical wins ethical investment award
by David Masters
September 26, 2009
The UK government is set to invest £5 million in socially responsible businesses.
Angela Smith, charities minister, said the money would provide "the missing link between social enterprise and finance."
Smith announced the investment at this month's Social Investment Conference, and said she fully supports plans for a Social Investment Wholesale Bank.
"I am keen that we develop ways to harness the power of ...
Government invests £5m in social enterprise
by David Masters
September 18, 2009
Shetland's oil wealth will continue to be invested in tobacco firms, arm manufacturers and companies accused of violating human rights.
Trustees of the Shetland Charitable Trust, which distributes the Scottish Isle's oil wealth to community projects, voted against a pilot scheme to invest £500,000 in ethical funds.
Rick Nickerson, the trustee who proposed the scheme, said the trustees' decision is ...
Shetland invests oil wealth in weapons and tobacco
by David Masters
September 10, 2009
Financial advisers are increasingly likely to recommend funds that invest in climate change, according to new research by Pictet Funds.
The fund distributor found the number of advisers encourage clients to invest in climate change funds is set to double.
Around one in eight (13%) of those polled said they had sold climate change funds in the past, while one in four said they ...
Climate change funds more popular
by David Masters
February 3, 2009
The Co-operative Bank's customer numbers have increased significantly in recent years because of its ethical investment policy.
Since 1992, the bank's commercial lending has grown from £571 million to £4.4 billion in 2008 - an average 14% per year growth.
Between 2007 and 2008 it increased lending to individuals by 15%.
David Anderson, chief executive, said: "Never has it been more important that responsible ...
Ethical investment policy boosts Co-operative Bank
by David Masters
