The new MIRA-report "Sustainable Investment and Savings in Belgium" shows that the sustainable investment market in Belgium has done considerably better during the period of the financial crisis than the traditional investment market. In 2008, the sustainable investment market shrunk by 8.0% to 8.3 billion Euros. The total Belgian investment market shrunk by 30.8% to 119.4 billion Euros. In 2009, the sustainable investment market increased by 22.8% to 10.1 billion Euros. The total market increased by no more than 4.0% to 124.3 billion Euros. The share of the whole fund market for sustainable investment increased between 2007 and 2009 from about 5% to 8%.
Investors and financial institutions exercise an important influence on the financial and social events by steering the flows of capital. To participate in or to offer Sustainable Investment Funds is a way in which one can contribute to a sustainable development. These investment funds only invest in shares or bonds which fulfil a number of criteria, e.g. in the area of environmental and social policy and sustainability.
In addition to sustainable investment, the report also highlights the history of sustainable savings. The volume and the growth rate of the market for "sustainable saving" is more limited than the market for sustainable investment. It is considerably more accessible for the greater public. More and more local councils and authorities are now also finding their way to risk limited asset management using sustainable savings accounts.
2nd Sustainable & Socially Responsible Investment Week
From October 18th to 24th 2010, the second Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investment Week takes place. During this week, the non-profit organisation BELSIF, The Belgian Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investment Forum encourages the public to invest in a socially responsible manner.
o Read the summary of the new MIRA-report "Sustainable Investments and Savings in Belgium".
o Discover the Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investment Week.
o Contact person MIRA: Soetkin Maene (s.maene@vmm.be)