AIFA Finds Increasing Interest in Ethical Investments

More and more people are asking their Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) about ethical investments, it has been claimed.

According to the Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA), 23 per cent of advisers have noticed an increase in the number of clients wanting to know more about the sector; ethical investments tend to be funds which focus on 'green' industries such as renewable energy and refuse to put money into 'unethical' areas such as arms trading.

Around 70 per cent of IFAs said that they currently advise on ethical investments, although AIFA also found that many IFAs are having trouble with public information on the sector: just over one third (37 per cent) reported to the association that the material was "adequate" but "hard to find", and a further 45 per cent said that there was a "limited" supply of it.

Director-general of the association Chris Cummings said: "We need to ensure that this interest is answered with the right advice…ethical investment is a topical issue: with a quarter of IFAs having experienced increased investor interest in this area."

He added: "We are [also] keen to support all members in developing green policies and make their contribution to the battle against climate change."