Green by Name

I was recently honoured to be invited to the House of Commons by UKSIF - The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association. The event was to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the regulatory requirement for UK pensions to disclose their investment content particularly with regard to responsible investing.

Meeting Stephen Timms MP

My invitation was because of my membership of UKSIF and the Ethical Investment Association.
Whilst the subject matter may seem, to the outside observer, shall we say dry? it has been of great importance. And with issues such as the BP oil spill in the news, 'responsible' corporate investing is a hot topic. I have long been an advocate of 'Green' investing, whether known as ethical, socially responsible or any other label. This has included publicising the National Ethical Investment Week each year.

Over the last few years I have noted a far greater number of clients who want to invest 'responsibly'. But perhaps the biggest change has been those people, who like me, just want to do their bit where possible.

So what this is NOT, is completely changing your whole investment approach to be entirely 'Green'.

What it IS, is investing in opportunities that make sense financially but also socially.

I liken it to doing the regular supermarket shop, whereby many of us buy fairtrade or organic where possible/feasible/appropriate but we also have the understanding that it is nigh on impossible to be completely green at all times.

And so it can be with investing. Having a selection of socially responsible funds within your portfolio but not overly worrying about every last penny being 'green'.

That is not to say it can't be done - of course it can. There will always be people who won't buy anything that comes wrapped in plastic or only wear clothes made from hemp - the 'treehuggers of tabloid fame'!

But for 'the rest of us', I will continue to provide a shade of 'Green' investment advice with quality, socially responsible investments where possible as part of sensible, overall, day to day, financial planning.