More options for ethical investors

Credit Suisse First Boston has introduced a new ethical fund to the New Zealand market.

Friday, February 16th 2001, 7:04AM

Investors wanting to invest some or all of their money into ethical funds are starting to get a greater range of alternatives.

AMP Henderson Global Investors started promoting its UK-based ethical fund in New Zealand last year. Credit Suisse First Boston, this week, started promoting Jupiter Asset Management's new Global Green investment trust, and one other ethical fund, this time a unit trust will be launched by a major fund manager in the next few months.

Jupiter is one of the bigger ethical managers, and currently looks after about £355 million ($1.24 billion) in socially responsible investments.

Jupiter Global Green will invest in companies that either provide products or services that contribute to social and environmental improvement or act in a way that reduces the adverse external impacts of their operations.

Examples of beneficial products and services, which fall into favoured investment themes, include environmental technologies, waste recycling, public transport and the quality of food manufacture.

As part of the investment process the manager will consider adherence to health, safety and environmental policy standards, management of operations to ensure minimal environmental impact, publication of social and environmental performance reports and implementations of conduct for labour standards.

The company will also seek to avoid investing in industrial activities, which are believed to be incompatible with environmental and social goals.

These include: the manufacture of tobacco products, Nuclear power, Manufacture of armaments and any company which conducts or commissions animal testing carried out for cosmetic and toiletry purposes.

The new company will be run by Simon Baker head of Jupiter’s green investment department. Baker already manages the Jupiter International Green Investment Trust, which has returned 222% since its launch in 1993, and is due to be wound up in March this year. Jupiter Global Green will act as the rollover vehicle.

For more information on the Jupiter Global Green Fund - click here

To download an Investment Statement - click here

Good Returns is running a regular monthly column on ethical investing. The second of these, describing the different ethical investing styles can be found in the features section -

« Wider profile sought for new property company

Get your tax questions answered online »

Special Offers