Desire to invest in sustainable tech slumps

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Desire to invest in sustainable tech slumps
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UK investors’ desire to invest in sustainable technology has slumped in the past year, according to new research.

The percentage of UK investors who want to invest in cleantech or greentech dropped from 43 per cent last year to 23 per cent this year.

A similar trend is unveiling in biotech and medtech, with 21 per cent of UK investors looking to invest in that part of the market, compared with 34 per cent last year, according to JPIN’s annual investor index. 

Property and emerging markets are becoming an increasingly popular investment, with 34 per cent of UK investors looking to put their money into real estate this year, compared to 27 per cent in 2021.

Those figures are 29 per cent this year for emerging markets, a rise on the 26 per cent seen last year.

JPIN said the research comes as investors seek higher yields from other economies as a result of the drop in the pound's value and rising interest rates in the UK.

“With the rapid economic growth in countries such as India, backers are taking advantage of the opportunities that lie in these innovation breeding grounds. 

“A renewed focus on global markets could be the final piece needed to stimulate economic activity in the UK and ultimately, stem the tide of global stagflation.”

Earlier this month, research by Saltus showed that investment in ESG funds by high net worth individuals over the age of 65 doubled in the six months from October 2021 to March 2022. 

Of the 1,000 UK investors surveyed, 42 per cent said they invest in ESG funds or stocks, up from 24 per cent six months previously.

Perceived impact of ESG investing has also grown, with 74 per cent of respondents saying they think responsible investments make a "tangible difference", an increase from the 48 per cent six months previously.

sally.hickey@ft.com