Free ethical banking
Being Eco friendly doesn’t need to stop at just having an environmentally friendly lifestyle. Another thing to consider is ethical banking - where is your money being invested when it sits in your bank account, this can have a huge impact globally.
At present the bank smile.co.uk who’s parent company is the cooperative bank are the forerunners in ethical banking in the Uk. This means that they will only invest your money in companies who have a positive impact on the earth.
Ethical banking means that your money is only invested in companies who have interests in -
- Environmental initiativesEqual opportunities
Community involvement
Basic necessities, environmental products and other services which help in solving problems and making the world a better place.
And not companies concerned with –
- AlcoholVivisection
Tobacco
Oppressive regimes
Gambling
Pornography
Tropical hardwood
Armaments.
It may not be something you have ever considered before, but you would be very surprised where your money is being invested, I.e in companies that produce weapons and arms for fighting.
With smile.co.uk this is taken out of the equation, as the money you will earn in interest has been generated from an ethical source.
Here is an extract of smile.co.uk ethical investing policy of which the whole thing can be
The Arms Trade
We will not invest in any business involved in:
¥ the manufacture or transfer of armaments to oppressive
regimes
¥ the manufacture of torture equipment … read more here
Corporate Responsibility and Global Trade
We advocate support for the Fundamental International Labour
Organisation Conventions. In line with these, we will seek to
support businesses which take a responsible position with regard
to:
¥ fair trade
¥ labour rights in their own operations and through their supply
chains in developing countries.
We will not support:
¥ irresponsible marketing practices in developing countries
¥ tobacco product … read more here
Genetic Modification
We will not invest in businesses involved in the development of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs), where, in particular, the
following issues are evident:
¥ uncontrolled release of GMOs into … read more here
Ecological Impact
In line with the principles of our Ecological Mission Statement, we will
not invest in any business whose core activity contributes to:
¥ global climate change, through the extraction or production of
fossil fuels
¥ the manufacture of chemicals which are persistent in the
environment and linked to long term health concerns
¥ the unsustainable harvest of natural resources, including timber
and fish.
Furthermore, we will seek to support businesses involved in:
¥ recycling and sustainable waste … read more here
Animal Welfare
We will not invest in any business involved in:
¥ animal testing of cosmetic or household products or ingredients
¥ intensive farming methods, for example, caged egg production
¥ blood sports, which involve the use of animals or birds to catch,
fight or kill each other
¥ the fur trade … read more here
