Investors back green investment policy

Three investor groups - The Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR), the European Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC), and the Investors Group on Climate Change (IGCC) are leading an initiative urging global policy makers to encourage green investment.

Following the publication of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Global Trends in Renewable Energy 2011 report, 285 investors with over $20trn in assets have signed a statement for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change conference in Durban in November and December. The conference will be attended by the G20 and other governments.

The investor groups stress that low carbon investments need to be seen as an attractive alternative to higher carbon investments to attract the $500bn needed per year to stabilise global temperatures, and energy policy is the key to shifting the balance in favour of low carbon investments.

The statement argues that investment-grade policies will create attractive opportunities for investors as well as significantly benefiting the economy by stimulating technological innovation, creating new jobs and businesses, and building a base for economic recovery and sustainable long-term growth.

SOURCE: http://www.professionalpensions.com/professional-pensions/news/2118422/investors-policy-action-green-investing