Which ethical saving / investment?

[andygates]

Most of you will know my ninja skilz with money. So I'm throwing myself on your Motley wisdom here: I have a bit of cash that needs to be squirreled away. I'm thinking an ethical 30-day ISA.

Ecology Building Society do one with instant access, 4.1% and a 1% bonus if you leave it alone; Triodos do a 33-day notice, 4.5% one.  What other savings / investment products are out there for this sort of sum and return?  I'm not averse to a little risk - is there such a thing as a green investment fund into which I could buy?  Is a grand worth the fees and faff? 

Help me, Obi Wodge, you're my only hope...

Comments

[jonnycowbells.livejournal.com]

I'm curious as to other's thoughts on something:

Is it better to put £1000 into a 'green certified' financial instrument whose governing institution promises to lend it only to green things. Or is it better to put £1000 in to a non green financial instrument that pays 1.5% better and use the extra £15 a year to give personally to your green charity of choice? (GiftAid? I suppose that makes it more like £20)

I suppose what it comes down to is - would a green charity prefer the ability to borrow £1000 at X%, or get a donation of £20? I wonder if green charities only borrow from green banks, or do they go elsewhere because they can presumably get better rates?

[andygates.livejournal.com]

Don't forget that the green instruments don't only lend to charities. Triodos have the examples of Cycles Maximus and some little market-garden farms, all of which are businesses. Odds are you won't just give twenty quid to either of those.

[flitljm.livejournal.com]

With the non-green instrument, you are investing in non-green things. They could be innocuous, or they could be appalling. Investing £1000 in planetary damage would not be justifiable for a £15 donation to a charity.