SRI

Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) funds are moving from niche to mainstream as demand for the investment vehicles has increased dramatically across Europe, according to a new report from Lipper Feri.

Matthew McKelvey, head of equity product management for Insight Investment, says that a thematic approach helps narrow down the broad range of global equities.

Asian investment specialist Lloyd George Management has launched LG Asian Green fund, a Dublin-listed UCITS III fund focusing on attempts across Asia to take a more active stance on environmental issues.

Jupiter Asset Management has been appointed as adviser to Prudential Corporation Asia on its climate change fund.

The environment and human rights are now the top 'ethical' concerns, replacing issues such as tobacco and arms manufacturing, according to a survey of the public's ethical attitudes undertaken by F&C Investments.

Investors need to shed the idea that investing in ethical products will mean a drop in returns, according to investment consultants Jewson Associates.

The idea investors have to sacrifice returns for ethical considerations is a myth, according to Jewson Associates.

INVESTMENTS in UK green and ethical retail funds had risen to a record £8.9bn by the end of last year, according to Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS).

FUTURE Capital Partners has launched a renewable energy investment opportunity, focused on the construction and operation of two wheat-based bioethanol plants.

Jupiter Asset Management has appointed Ed Blamey as research manager of socially responsible investment (SRI).