Renewable energy is Britain’s second investment choice after property

Renewable energy is the British public’s second investment choice above ‘traditional’ energy and manufacturing, according to a new national survey.

The ‘Great British Money Survey’, carried out by One Poll, gathered insight into the spending and investment habits of 2,000 people across the United Kingdom.

When asked about their preferred investment areas, 43% chose property; 33% renewable energy; 23% traditional energy (oil, coal, gas); 19% manufacturing; 15% consumer goods; 14% hospitality; 12% transport and 3% ‘other’.

Commissioned by finance platform, Abundance Generation, the survey also showed that Brit’s place most importance on financial return; risk; transparency; environmental and ethical impact when deciding their investments.

Findings mirror DECC’s public attitudes tracking survey from September, which showed that 76% of the public want to see more renewable energy in the UK.

The survey also showed that renewable energy is the top investment choice for 18 to 24 year olds, over property, while 75% would be unhappy if their money was invested in companies that damage the environment or are otherwise unethical.

However, surprisingly 22% are happy with their money being invested in companies that damage the environment or are otherwise unethical, it found.

Abundance Generation co-founder and joint managing director Bruce Davis said: “We’re now not only seeing majority public support for renewable energy, but people actively wanting to put their money in it too. Britain is a nation in love with property, so it’s no wonder this is at number one, but to see renewables favoured above old energy is a great vote of confidence in the sector.

“We know that from the rapid take up of crowd funded renewables, investors are actively looking for inflation beating returns. People would much rather get them through investing in the real economy in assets that they can see, trust and believe in,” added Davis.