The growth of ethic al investing

Ethical investing has grown into a near £9bn industry, and the asset classes covered are growing too

Although the first ethical unit trust was launched in 1984 by Friends Provident (the Stewardship fund), the concept of ethical investment goes back many years. Many church and charity organisations have invested ethically for many years. However with climate change and other green issues seldom out of the news and the topic now part of mainstream politics, interest in ethical investing has never been greater. The figures speak for themselves. According to Eiris (Ethical Investment Research Services), in 1997 there was approximately £1.5bn invested in ethical funds. This had grown to £8.9b...