Lack of awareness and support a key barrier in helping general public invest sustainably

While the majority of the UK public is uncomfortable with their investments negatively affecting the climate, many are not being provided with sufficient support from their employer or financial adviser to make sustainable investments in the market, new polling shows. 

 

In a survey carried out to launch UKSIF’s Good Money Week, UKSIF’s annual event aimed at promoting sustainability in UK retail finance, 69% of respondents with financial investments who reported having an employer or financial adviser have not been made aware of environmentally sustainable financial products available to them.

 

As a result, 58% of people with financial investments do not know whether their investments are environmentally sustainable. That is despite 69% of those surveyed reporting that they would be uncomfortable with their investments being in companies which negatively impact the environment and climate.

 

The polling also revealed that 70% of people with financial investments are uncomfortable with their savings or pensions being invested in companies which treat their workers, customers and wider society badly.

 

UKSIF CEO James Alexander said:

 

“The majority of the public does not want their investments and pensions savings being used to negatively harm the environment and climate, or lead to poor working conditions.

 

“There is clearly a need for employers, financial advisers, and all groups across the investment chain to do more to help their employees and clients take advantage of investments in those products that reflect their values, support the net-zero transition, and deliver good returns.

 

“We would also like to see financial advisers given the support they need to give their clients meaningful advice on how to invest in a sustainable manner. An important step will be clarity from the FCA on the regulatory approach to advisers and other retail-facing intermediaries under the UK’s upcoming SDR and labelling regime.”

 

Notes for editors:

 

• All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2104 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th – 20th September 2023.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).