Britain is investing more money ethically than ever before

Latest figures released today by EIRIS, a non-profit sustainable investment firm, show that as at December 31, 2007 there was £8.9bn invested in Britain’s green and ethical retail funds (those funds open to the general public).

The £8.9bn represents almost three quarters of a million accounts in ethical funds, up from around 137,000 accounts in 1997 when less than 1.5bn was invested ethically.

There are now almost 100 green and ethical funds available to UK investors - a decade ago there were just a couple of dozen.

Mark Robertson, EIRIS spokesperson said: ‘Growing consumer interest in issues like climate change, human rights, fair trade and poverty continues to drive demand for green and ethical investment. Over the last few years we’ve seen a huge increase in the amount of money invested ethically, with many more Britons choosing green and ethical options when managing their finances.’

The UK is holding its first ever National Ethical Investment Week (18-24 May) which aims to encourage everyone to consider green and ethical options for their investments.