After jetsetting to Europe I have touched down in Perth, returning from an inspirational week in London for National Ethical Investment Week (NEIW). As a part of the event I was invited to attend a Reception at the House of Commons, hosted by Hugh Bayley MP and the UK Social Investment Forum (UKSIF). Others who attended the reception ranged from British Financial Advisers, Responsible Investment Managers, Charities and other Sustainable Investment companies and NGO’s from around the world.

This year UKSIF celebrates 20 years of advancing long term responsible investment by raising public awareness on the merits of ethical investing – an important milestone!

Whilst in London for NEIW I also attended a seminar in the Crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral called ‘Beyond Hot Air – Protecting Value in a Changing Climate’, by David Blood from Generation Investment Management. Generation is a sustainable fund that Blood co-founded with Al Gore and Australia is currently the only country where investors have access to this fund, as it is closed for investment in USA, UK and other markets.

Al Gore is well known for his ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ documentary and work on climate change issues (see: http://www.climatecrisis.net/an_inconvenient_truth/about_the_film.php). Probably lesser known are his views on incorporating sustainability into the way we invest. He commented: “Integrating issues such as climate change into investment analysis is simply common sense”.

Please follow the link to http://www.stpaulsinstitute.org.uk/Videos to see the presentations, particularly that of David Blood.

Also during the week I met with my ex-colleague Anna Sofat from Addidi, a firm which also specialises in Women’s Financial Planning, something we at JustInvest value highly, along with our alignment to ethical and Responsible Investment (RI) principles.

I welcome any questions or discussion points you may have – contact us on 08 9267 3488.

Until next  time, Jules

PHOTO: Jules with Esther Gilmore, Director of Generation Investment Management