A survey of over 2,000 people, commissioned by Big Society implies that people, on average, will opt for investments tackling social over environmental challenges when given the choice.

All respondents were invited to choose three options across a range of social and environmental causes regarding their investment preference. Yet more than half (57 per cent) of all under 45-year-olds, and two-thirds (67 per cent) of all under 25s in the survey chose social impact investments of different types rather than an environmentally motivated investment.

The findings demonstrate that as people grow older, they seem to become more concerned with investing in environmental protection. For 25-year-olds and over, green issues top the list of preferred impact investment areas with the proportion of people selecting this increasing as they get older.

James Westhead, head of engagement at Big Society Capital said: “It may be a surprise to many that younger people, the future generations that will most feel the impact of climate change, have a discernible interested in using their capital to support people in society.”

Looking at all investors together, when considering how to invest their money to make a positive impact, while receiving the same return, environmental protection was top of the list, chosen by almost half, 48 per cent. Homelessness, domestic violence, social inequality, and racial justice were also important factors influencing investment decisions for those wanting to make an impact.

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