CLIMATE concerns could prompt more UK investors to move their money to ethical funds which support the positive changes they want to see, a survey suggests.

Nearly half (45%) of investors say they would move their money to an ethical fund as a result of news about the environment, Triodos Bank found.

Among those aged 18 to 24, more than three-quarters (78%) would be prompted to move their money to “impact investments” – which have a positive effect on society and the environment.

On average, investors would put £3744 in an impact investment fund, an increase of £1000 compared with 2018.

More than half (53%) of those surveyed believe choosing carefully where to invest is one of the best ways to help the planet, rising to 76% among those aged 18 to 24.

Three-quarters (75%) of those surveyed agreed that financial providers need to be more transparent about where people’s money goes.

The ethical bank’s survey of more than 2000 people across the UK was carried out early this month. In recent weeks, groups such as Extinction Rebellion and student protesters inspired by teenage activist Greta Thunberg (pictured) have called for urgent climate action.

Triodos Bank’s survey also found that awareness of impact investing is higher than in any year since the survey was started in 2016.

More than half (55%) of investors still said that they had not heard of impact funds, although this is down from 67% in 2018.

Gareth Griffiths, head of retail banking, Triodos Bank UK, commented: “Many investors are no longer waiting for governments to take the lead in our transition to a fairer, greener society - they are using their own money to back the change they want to see.”

He added: “We are seeing a shift from those simply screening out negative investments to instead looking for direct positive impacts.”