Ethical investment 'on the up'
Ethical funds are becoming more popular, Co-operative Financial Services claimed today.According to new research from the firm, ethical finance grew by 15 per cent in 2007 - in line with the nine per cent rise registered in general ethical consumerism across the year.The funds work by promising to use money invested in them in "green" projects such as renewable energy - and to avoid "unethical" sectors such as the arms trade.Co-op spokesman Andy Hammerton said: "Consumer interest has grown in ethical issues, especially climate change." He added: "As a result more consumers are more willing to consider an ethical finance product than they were several years ago."Co-op's figures are supported by a recent study from the Ethical Investment Research Service (EIRIS), which found that around £8.9 billion was invested in ethical funds over 2007. In 1997, this figure stood at just £1.5 billion.
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