Ethical banking; sustainable transport; largest UK solar project – Quote Bank: June 23-29

A good quote makes all the difference. Here’s the pick of the past week.

“It feels odd that something so small, so uneventful, can be so powerful, but if we all do it, we could effect real change. And that’s what it comes down to, really” – Emma Fay. Why I switched to ethical banking.

“These sustainable transport improvements will benefit billions of people, especially the poor, and support environmental sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions” – Bindu Lohani, vice president for knowledge management and sustainable development at the Asian Development Bank. Sustainable transport to get $175 billion boost.

“I can’t think of a better way of spending a holiday than enjoying the beauty of wide-open spaces while at the same time giving something back to those places” – Chris Breen, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators’ sustainable tourism committee. Striving for sustainability.

“Employees today don’t want to check their values at the door when they arrive at their jobs, and the ability to live and work with strong social meaning is clearly important to them” – Liz Maw, CEO of Net Impact. 65% of university students want ‘impact jobs‘.

“Alongside a 36% increase in renewables capacity in the last 12 months, this shows that the UK is powering forward on clean and secure energy and is clearly a very attractive place to invest” – Charles Hendry MP, minister of state for energy and climate change. Renewables power on in UK electricity mix.

“This project is one of a number of large multi-megawatt (MW) schemes we have in development as we respond to the interest and demand from the farming community for renewable energy” – Rob Denman, director of TGC Renewables. ‘Largest UK solar project’ receives planning approval.

“The business world is changing. The need for efficiency feeds innovation in sustainable practices that are designed to lower costs and protect future supply and distribution chains” – Anders Faijersson Ferguson, founding principal of Veris Wealth Partners. ‘Advisers can lead by learning about sustainable investing’.

“It seems hard to envisage that we could, in the short space of 40 years, start running out of fresh water. It is also estimated that by 2050, the UK will have a shortage in water supply of up to 10,000m litres a day” – Iain Gray, chief executive of the Technology Strategy Board. Technology Strategy Board splashes out £1m for water security.

“I am sure we will be one of the first investors, to secure my children’s future for their sakes, both financially and ethically” – Ed Vaizey MP, minister for culture, communications and creative industries. ‘World’s largest community-owned solar farm’ launches share offer.

“I think more support for people’s financial needs is great, but there is a danger that advisers may then have a very limited range of investment products and only look quite narrowly at what is appropriate for clients” – Penny Shepherd, chief executive of UKSIF. The dynamic future of sustainable investment.

Previous Quote Banks:

‘Compelling’ sustainable investment; Rio+20; renewable-powered eBay – Quote Bank: June 16-22

Renewable energy investment; wind farm opposition; sustainable finance – Quote Bank 16-22.

Banks creating money; Islamic investments; sustainable agriculture – Quote Bank: June 2-8

Guide to Sustainable Tourism; climate change reporting; German solar – Quote Bank: May 26-June 1

Energy bill; unethical investments; Delingpolegate – Quote Bank: May 19-25