2009 HIGHLIGHTS
NEIW supporters spread the word by organising events, launching new products and research, and speaking to the media. More than 30 events were held in 16 towns and cities. Widespread press coverage raised awareness of green and ethical investing among consumers, financial advisers, and charities.
Celebrating NEIW at the House of Commons
Stephen Timms addressing the NEIW09 reception.
Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury spoke at a reception celebrating NEIW.
Speakers applauded the growth in green and ethical investments, and emphasized the role that they will play in the transition to a low-carbon economy. They included Peter Michaelis of Aviva Investors, Michael Quicke of CCLA, Barry Clavin from The Co-operative Financial Services, and Rupert Pennant-Rea, Chairman of Henderson Group.
...and at Scottish Parliament
L-R: Chris Rodgers,The Co-operative Financial Services, Penny Shepherd, UKSIF, Nick Casey, Aviva Investors, John Swinney MSP and Heather Lamont of CCLA.
NEIW was also celebrated for the first time this year at the Scottish Parliament, with guest speaker John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.
The reception demonstrated the support of Scottish policy makers for green and ethical investing, and acknowledged the concentration of green and ethical investment expertise in Edinburgh.
CCLA roadshow launches new Charities Ethical Investment Fund
CCLA held a six-stop roadshow of trustee surgeries to launch their new Charities Ethical Investment Fund. "A changing climate for charity investment" looked at how charities can align their investments with their mission and wider ownership responsibilities. Read more about the fund.
CCLA ended the week in Exeter with their final surgery. Said Helen Wildsmith, Head of Ethical & Responsible Investment, "the rain was so bad the ceiling of the hotel conference room started to leak as guests discussed investor responsibilities in relation to climate change and other big risks."
CFS research shows that investors want to make a difference
Research released by The Co-operative Financial Services to coincide with National Ethical Investment Week found that nearly two-thirds of investors are interested in green and ethical investing once an explanation of themes and opportunites is provided.
According to Zack Hocking, head of investments at CFS, "The world is changing. Issues targeted by sustainable investment such as the need to tackle ageing 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.” Read the CFS release.
Green and ethical investing seminars for financial advisers
"Investing in Climate Change", hosted by Henderson New Star, offered advisers an overview of the risks and opportunities climate change presents. Mark Hoskin, from adviser firm Holden & Partners, spoke on how clients can benefit from adding climate change investments to their portfolio.
Download the Guide (registration required): Holden & Partners' Guide to Climate Change Investing
Henderson New Star also hosted two seminars for London advisers on how to advise clients more generally on green and ethical investments. Robin Keyte, recent winner of Money Management's Cautious Investment Planner and Wealth Management Planner awards, walked advisers through his process for discussing green and ethical investing with his clients. Seminars were held in partnership with with AIFA and UKSIF.
Download the presentation: Robin Keyte presentation for AIFA-UKSIF Seminar.pdf
Southampton advisers turn out in force for green seminar
Skandia also hosted a well-attended green and ethical investment event seminar for financial advisers in Southampton. Aviva Investor's Peter Michaelis spoke about how they manage their green and ethical funds, while the Skandia strategy team showed how consumer behaviour is changing, and why that will lead to growing client interest in green and ethical investing.
Lee Coates of advisory firm Ethical Investors Group gave a tour of the Ethical Screening database, a free tool advisers can use for searching fund criteria.
Visit the website (registration required): Ethical Screening Database
YourEthicalMoney.org launches green and ethical search
YourEthicalMoney.org lets you search for all kinds of green and ethical financial products.
NEIW saw the launch of a new consumer website dedicated to green and ethical finance, YourEthicalMoney.org.
An initiative of EIRIS, the website aims to empower consumers to make green and ethical product choices that will help build a more sustainable future. It provides free, independent and unbiased information on all aspects of ethical finance.
Visit the website: YourEthicalMoney.org
Invicta Biomass Fund launched with six investor events
During NEIW, Invicta Capital launched its renewable energy Biomass Fund, a sustainable investment into the construction and operation of biomass plants across Scotland that will power 140,000 homes.
The fund was launched with a series of six seminars held from Bristol to Edinburgh and attended by a diverse mix of investors, advisers and institutions. The events provided a background to the UK power industry as well as looking at the investment opportunities and growth potential in this sector. Find out more about the Invicta Biomass Fund.
Rathbone Greenbank holds Green Dragons' Den
Rathbone Greenbank's Mark Mansley reads out the results of the voting for the best social or environmental investment.
Rathbone Greenbank Investments hosted a "Dragon's Den"-style event where six individuals proposed different areas of ethical investment to more than 70 guests, who were given a notional £1 million to invest at the end of the evening.
Toby Eccles of Social Finance was the winner with a social impact bond aimed at reducing prisoner re-offending. Investors could put their 'money' into microfinance projects, renewable energy infrastructure investments, emerging markets, clean technology or sustainable property. Read more about the event.
Triodos shows investors where their money goes
Triodos visit to The Organic Research Centre at Elm Farm in Berkshire.
Triodos Bank celebrated NEIW by giving customers and potential investors the opportunity to visit two of their business banking customers, The Organic Research Centre and Age Exchange.
The visits raised awareness about sustainable finance by showing the direct connection between savers’ money and the people and organisations Triodos supports. Contact Triodos for more information.
Investing in Social Development
UKSIF Associate Josephine Go Jeffries presented new research on financial products designed to deliver social development outcomes as well as financial return. She spoke at a teleconference of advisers and product providers about how to stimulate the growing interest in pro-development financial products, such as investments that fund microfinance, fair trade, and vaccination programmes.
Download the presentation: NEIW Investing in Social Development presentation.pdf