Nearly half of all UK investors expect to increase their investments in opportunities with strong environmental, social and governance characteristics, a poll has shown.
The survey, conducted among 2,002 adults for Charles Stanley Direct found that 48 per cent expect to increase their ESG exposure, with one in six planning to do so “significantly”.
“There continues to be a significant movement toward SRI among UK investors,” said Rob Morgan, an investment analyst at Charles Stanley Direct.
“While awareness and appetite are increasing, more needs to be done to complete the shift from niche investing to the mainstream.”
The survey found that 19 per cent of respondents said their awareness of ESG issues had increased over the past year, while 18 per cent said they anticipated that they would significantly increase their exposure to ESG strategies in the coming three years.
“Not only is it important that returns from SRI are able to adequately contribute to a long-term investment strategy, it’s also essential to demonstrate the positive impact this type of investing can have,” Morgan explained.
“This comes through more transparency, better reporting, and a more informative and user-friendly investment portals. Getting this right will enable investors to put their money to work, safe in the knowledge that it’s delivering for the global good as well as their financial future.”
Despite the encouraging findings, nearly two thirds of self-styled ‘DIY investors’ polled (60 per cent) said they were not aware of SRI or ESG. 28 per cent of those polled said nothing would prompt them to consider ESG in their portfolio.
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