Socially responsible investment

Ethical or socially responsible investment (as well as responsible and sustainable investment) are terms used to describe any area of the financial sector where the social, environmental and ethical principles of the investor (whether an individual or institution) influence which organisation or venture they choose to place their money with. It also encompasses how an investor might use their power as a shareholder to encourage better environmental and social behaviour from the companies they invest in. See chapter in A Guide to Giving. (Ethical Investment Research Services definition)