Environment tops ethical investor list of concerns

The 2007 Ethical Investor Survey, issued to 3,000 of over 39,000 investors in Standard Life's ethical funds, found that eight of the top ten issues of concern related to the environment. The joint top concerns were deforestation and the use of high volumes of timber. Operating in countries with a poor human rights record featured as the third key concern. Julie McDowell, head of SRI at Standard Life Investments, commented: "The fact that the environment is at the top of investor concerns seems entirely appropriate, given the growing awareness of environmental issues such as climate chan...