22% of British investors would put profit over personal beliefs

From climate change to plastic pollution, the world is facing many tough environmental challenges. Investors have a significant role to play in helping to deal with such issues by considering and evaluating the environmental impact of any business opportunity before investing.

Interested in environmental issues, SaveonEnergy.com/uk/ analysed the latest data from asset management firm Schroders and online analytics tool Ahrefs to discover which countries investors are most concerned about making sustainable investments.

SaveonEnergy.com/uk/ found that with an average of 483,000 online searches per year for sustainable investments, American investors are most concerned about making sustainable investments. Despite this, just 67% of American investors would not invest against their personal beliefs, meaning 33% would if it led to a higher return on investment.

In second position is Japan, where there is an average of 159,000 annual online searches for sustainable investments – the equivalent of 436 searches each day. Compared to American investors, Japanese investors seem to have a greater moral compass as 76% admit they would reject an investment proposal if it went again their personal beliefs.

The UK is in third place where there is an average of 111,120 online searches every year for sustainable investments – comparable to 9,260 searches per month. Interestingly, 78% of British investors would refuse a potential investment opportunity if it did not meet their moral code.

Other countries where there are more than 20,000 online searches per year for sustainable investments include Russia (65,640), Australia (28,560), India (23,760) and Canada (23,640) – respectively ranking fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.

On the other end in 31st place, Portugal seems to be the country least interested in making sustainable investments, with only 600 online searches a year for sustainable investments. Despite such a low sum, Portuguese investors are true to their values as 82% would not invest in a business proposition if it went against their personal beliefs.

Just above Portugal, there are under 2,000 online searches a year for sustainable investment in South Korea (1,680), Thailand (1,680) and Chile (1,080) – respectively ranking 28th, 29th and 30th.