Ethical IFA of the week: Lighthouse Impact
There are plenty of independent financial advisers (IFAs) across the country who give advice on ethical, sustainable and responsible investment. Our job is to tell you about them. Formed in 2003 by Ash Rawal, who wanted to use his investment nous to “help make the world a better place”,...
There is a disconnect between investment and the real world
Across all forms of investment and finance – from ISAs through to equities – most people still don’t associate what they invest in with real world outcomes. This knowledge gap needs bridging, and quick. Those who invest responsibly try to alleviate their negative footprint or to leave a positive...
Social bank Unity Trust to reward staff with ownership shares
Unity Trust Bank, one of the leading socially responsible banks in the UK, has unveiled a new scheme that will see staff handed ownership stakes in the organisation. The Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) is designed to embed the bank’s social values firmly within its employee base. Unity has...
UK ‘most attractive’ country for offshore wind, says Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young’s latest Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices (RECAI) says the UK is the most attractive country in the world for offshore wind investment, and the fifth most attractive for renewable energy more generally. The US, China, Germany and Australia make up the top four, with the UK moving...
Justine Greening and Jim O’Neill confirmed for FT/IFC sustainable finance event
International development secretary Justine Greening and Goldman Sachs chairman Jim O’Neill have both been confirmed as keynote speakers at the FT/IFC Sustainable Finance Conference and Awards 2013 on June 13. Greening, who has been MP for Putney since 2005, was appointed to her current role as secretary of state...
Should bond investors think green?
Isabelle de Grave asks whether funds and investors should be alert to the risk natural resource scarcity poses to sovereign bonds. The environment is not often a business concern for bond investors. Only following the euro debt crisis has the idea that bonds are risk free been seriously challenged....
Major audit firms to be investigated over ethics
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to conduct an investigation into the ethical standards of major audit firms in the UK, after its annual review pulled up “a number of specific issues” relating to compliance with its guidelines. The FRC’s Audit Quality Inspections report says that it will be reviewing...
Investment likely to suffer as government opts against 2030 renewables target
The government has called on the EU to set a 2030 emissions reduction target of 50%, but is looking like it will not push for a clean energy target within the same timeframe. The renewables industry has claimed that such a move will prolong the investment uncertainty that has...
Charity Bank and Exemplas to team up for £10m social investment scheme
Charity Bank and Exemplas have been selected by the Big Lottery Fund to undertake a £10m support programme that will seek to improve investment into Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations. The campaign, called Big Potential, is to be launched this summer, and will target VCSE organisations at...
We need investment to return to its ‘patient evolutionary path’
Capitalist lore states that shareholders have more concern for the long-term interests of companies they invest in than managers do. The increase in high frequency trading (HFT), following big bang and advances in computing, has disconnected investment from its core purpose. Businesses need capital and in return deliver income...
A sustainable versus unsustainable recovery
This week, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) called for more effort by the UK government to stimulate a strong and sustainable recovery. Simon Leadbetter lays out what would define a sustainable recovery. A sustainable recovery is one that creates a viable economy over the long-term, not short-term growth in time...
On this day in 2006: Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth premieres at Sundance Film Festival
Seven years ago today, former US vice-president Al Gore’s documentary film about global warming – An Inconvenient Truth – premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Since then, it has become one of highest grossing documentaries of all time, won two Academy Awards and turned into a seminal film for the...
L’investissement responsable: a glance at France’s responsible investment market
They have spectacular architecture, some of history’s finest artists and produce over 240 types of cheese. And when it comes to sustainable and responsible investment (SRI), our neighbours across the Channel in France are very much key players. What does SRI mean? Is it socially responsible investment or sustainable...
Entrepreneurs selected for social investment project
A group of 30 social entrepreneurs have been selected to take part in Big Venture Challenge – an “investment accelerator” that looks to improve the way investors put their money into organisations that focus on delivering social benefits. Social enterprise foundation UnLtd selected the final 30 from 140 applicants....
Pension fund trade body launches responsible investment guide
The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) has launched a guide to responsible investment, which encourage its members to take factors other than financial returns into account when investing. NAPF members, who collectively manage £900 billion worth of assets, are invited in the guide to integrate environmental, social and...
Register with Blue & Green Tomorrow
Fill in your details below to register and comment with us. You will also receive our fortnightly e-newsletter, special reports and bulletins.
Popular Articles
- Met Office scientists to examine cause of UK extreme weather
- 90% of investors say CSR and sustainability reports are ‘essential’
- David Cameron’s social impact investment speech: full text
- RWE Npower director Nina Skorupska to lead renewables trade body
- BT unveils new initiative to help reduce carbon footprint
- Seven UK firms make it onto World’s Most Ethical Companies list
- Most transparent pension funds honoured at responsible investment event
- Government lauds UK impact investment as part of solution to African hunger
- Big five’s banking monopoly at risk, with 2.4m closing accounts in 2012
- People love brands – but wouldn’t care if 73% disappear tomorrow
Micro-Blog
- Alex Blackburne says
Following the lead of The Independent (twice), The Week and The Sun, the Wall Street Journal has gi... - Alex Blackburne says
The nice folks at Skeptical Science have written a handy article, accompanied by an equally handy vi... - Alex Blackburne says
In a story that seems too ridiculous to be true, a senior BP executive is alleged to have looked up ... - Alex Blackburne says
A good question, and one that seems particularly apt on the eve of the presidential election. Mar... - Alex Blackburne says
It may seem like an obvious set of rules, but after uncovering some of the unusual things found in s...
Poll
Loading ...
