From Green Right Now Reports
Critics of sustainable living initiatives often pin their arguments on the possibility of dubious return on investment. But a recent survey of American investors indicates that many now believe going green can be good for the economy – and their own pocketbooks — as well.
The survey, the results of which were released this week by Allianz Global Investors, said 73 percent of all investors who responded think policies to promote “green” practices and technologies will have a positive impact on economic growth. Fifty-seven percent believe “green” jobs can help turn around the U.S. economy.
“It’s clear to me that government investment in the environment will be an important engine for economic renewal in the United States,” said Bozena Jankowska, head of the RCM Sustainability Research Team and lead portfolio manager of the Allianz RCM Global EcoTrends Fund.
Jankowska noted that in his State of the Union address, President Obama said “the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy, and America must be that nation.”
“This sentiment signals unwavering support which could represent a very significant opportunity for investors,” Jankowska said.
The poll of 1,000 adults, conducted for a third consecutive year, probed investor understanding and attitudes toward the environment as an investment opportunity. The survey was conducted via the Internet between Dec. 28, 2009 and Jan. 12, 2010 by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media, a division of GfK Custom Research North America.
Participation was limited to individuals who at least shared responsibility for investment decisions in households with financial assets of $100,000 and up.
Other findings include:
- 63 percent of investors classified the environment as the most desirable opportunity of 11 categories offered.
- Between 2007 and 2009, the number of investors who say they already have invested in environmental trends jumped from 17 percent to 29 percent.
- 54 percent of all investors said they are at least “somewhat likely” to invest in environmental technology over the next year.
- n 78 percent of investors believed we were likely to see more green initiatives in the first year of the Obama Administration than in eight years of the Bush Administration.
- Only 49 percent of investors said Obama has done as much as he should to promote environmental investment in his first year.
- In the previous year’s survey, 74 percent of investors expected the new Congress to be more supportive of environmental technologies than its predecessor. This year, only 34 percent said the current Congress has done as much as it should.
Despite an increased optimism, not all investors were confident about jumping in:
- 59 percent view environmental investment as mostly socially responsible, while just 41 percent see it as a good financial investment.
- More than two-thirds (69%) said they would need to consult a financial advisor for help investing in the environment.
- Among those with a financial advisor, 76 percent believe their advisor is at least somewhat knowledgeable about environmental investing, and 50% think it is important that their advisor bring them more environment-related investment opportunities.
- 72% of those investors say that their financial advisor has yet to recommend an environmental investment opportunity.
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