Ethical Investment

This page is a companion to our Retail page on Green Shopping, it is looking at the ways we can use our savings and investments to further the aims of sustainable development and social justice. Just as the ways we shop can help build a Green Future so can the ways we save and invest.

The Ethical Investment movement really began in the 1960s with the protests against the Vietnam war and Apartheid. People began to question the use of their savings to invest in businesses which made money from selling arms or from the social oppression of South Africa. It has grown through the 1980s and ’90s to also encompass an ethic of environmental responsibility.

Ethical Investment has two basic aims:

• To avoid investing in companies whose activities are unethical
• To promote businesses which have a strong social and environmental benefit

Ethical Investment is well established overseas but is still really in its infancy in New Zealand. It is something that is very important to the future direction of New Zealand.

Consumer ran an article Ethical Investment—Making good money in Consumer, 1998-10, Pages 32–35. It’s a guide to ethical investing and discusses the two ethical funds New Zealand investors can easily enter, socially responsible organisations, and ethical issues to consider when investing in blue-chip companies. Sidebar discusses ‘Should business be socially responsible?’ and compares the views of Dick Hubbard, instigator of the New Zealand Businesses for Social Responsibility—‘companies have a responsibility “to society and the environment”’; and Roger Kerr, executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable—‘business philanthropy is “stealing from the shareholders”’.

New Zealand

Ethical Investment Aotearoa

See this page for an association of organisations working to promote the benefits of investing ethically in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Overseas

Australian Ethical Investment Ltd

Established in 1986 (with the name of August Investments) they manage only ethical investments. Owned by over 100 shareholders, mostly individuals, who share the aims and aspirations of the Australian Ethical Charter which guides them in investment of funds in all Trusts.

Ethical Investing—The Internet’s Guide to Ethical Investment Resources

Dedicated to providing investment resources, including stocks and mutual fund investment resources. The Techniques and Philosophy section will serve as a guideline for investing ethically. The ever-growing Resources sections for positive, ethical investments will be contrasted with the example of Monsanto, one of the world’s most unethical investments.

Ethical Investment Trust (Australia), The

A Community Aid Abroad initiative designed for investors who wish to support environmental, social and humanitarian initiatives while earning a reasonable return on money invested.

Ethical Investments

A small firm of Independent Financial Advisers based in Sheffield, England. They provide advice to individuals, small businesses and other organisations who wish ethical considerations to have a bearing on their investment decisions.

Philanthropy Search

Search engine for the non-profit and philanthropic sector.

Social Investment Forum, The

A US of A nonprofit membership organization promoting the concept, practice and growth of socially responsible investing.

UK Social Investment Forum (UKSIF)

Promotes and encourages socially responsible investment in the UK. Socially responsible investment includes ethical investment, green investment, shareholder activism, social banking and community finance.

Weidner Investments

‘Grandma Didn’t Need a Broker And neither do you!’ Ideas and articles on ethical investment from this US of A firm.

List last updated 2004-11-12. New items in the preceding 30 days are (marked) as such. For suggestions or corrections, please contact the web master.