The push for Socially Responsible Investing continues to gather momentum, with Swiss-based SRI specialist Bank Sarasin reporting a 120 per c...

The push for Socially Responsible Investing continues to gather momentum, with Swiss-based SRI specialist Bank Sarasin reporting a 120 per cent increase in sustainably managed assets since 2002. In its just-released 2006 sustainability report, Bank Sarasin notes that sustainability criteria are playing an “increasingly important role in the commercial success of companies.” The report analyses the sustainability of a number of key industries, such as apparel and textiles, and finds a link between sustainable practice and the economic performance of the industries. It also pinpoints industries, such as biofuels, photovoltaics and solar thermal power which “continue to thrive” through the increased focus on SRI. Separately, North American investment consultant Thomas Van Dyck, senior vice president at RBC Dain Rauscher, has also endorsed the SRI approach, saying they have helped “create impressive returns.” Mr Van Dyck points to the Educational Foundation of America, which introduced SRI screening for its $220 million portfolio 14 years ago and which has “consistently beaten the market.”