Programme updates
UK: Fund managers call for sustainable approach from Gordon Brown
Date: 03 Apr 2009
Some 52 major fund managers supported an open letter to Gordon Brown urging world leaders at the G20 summit to include green investment opportunities in their economic stimulus packages announced on 2 April.
The letter, drawn up by think-tank Tomorrow's Company and UK Sustainable Investment and Finance, backs calls for a "green new deal" and the development of a low-carbon economy, with resource efficient and socially sustainable policies to be at the heart of the G20’s recovery package.
Aviva Investors was one of the key signatories of the letter, with Paul Abberley, chief executive of Aviva Investors stating: “Green investment isn’t only for governments. Many private institutions also want the opportunity to invest in green projects such as low-carbon energy and energy efficiency. This requires the right kind of policies and appropriate financial instruments. We are keen to keep talking to governments about how private sector investment can be mobilised to help make the recovery from this economic crisis a sustainable one.”
Other signatories included chief executives from The Co-op, F&C, Hermes, Jupiter, CCLA, Rathbone Greenbank and KBC.
Both the United Nations' environment programme and the former head of the Government Economic Service, Lord Stern, have recently pushed for a greener economy.
