Quilter: 43% of investors unsure if they own a responsible fund
Just 14% of Quilter customers are knowingly invested in funds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while more than two-fifths (43%) were unsure if they were invested in a responsible fund at all, according to a recent survey from the firm.
However, the survey found this was at odds with customers’ stated commitments.
More than 70% of respondents said they were concerned about climate change in their daily lives and investments. Half of Quilter customers said they wanted to understand the climate emissions of their investments, while a similar number (44%) think investments should play a role in achieving net zero.
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Many respondents have even applied this to their daily lives, with 67% reducing home energy usage to combat climate change, and six in 10 reducing their food waste.
Ido Eisenberg, head of responsible investment at Quilter, said: “This data clearly shows people understand their investment choices can impact climate change – and are impacted by it, just as their everyday lives and activities are.
“The intention is there, but there is a gap with how people approach their investments.”
As an industry, organisations need to make it easier to understand what responsible and sustainable funds aim to achieve, Eisenberg said. While there have been positive steps on this front, through enhanced education and better labelling, more still needs to be done to make sure people are aware of sustainable fund goals, according to Quilter.
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“There is enormous potential here. People want their investments to play a role in the transition to net zero, and they want the option to back companies driving the green transition and avoid high polluters with no plans to change.
“We need to approach this head-on and ensure people are given that choice and understanding,” Eisenberg concluded.
This story was written by our sister-title, Portfolio Adviser