| Green funds or green investment are basically certain | | | | of green investment in eco-friendly companies, such |
| investment channels, such as stocks, ETFs and | | | | as hybrid vehicles, water filtration systems, |
| mutual funds, wherein green investment are made to | | | | desalination plants, and pollution solutions. Going green |
| business organizations that work towards improving | | | | has never been this easy before. Start with baby |
| the environment. Now, there is a vast range of green | | | | steps. Switch from fossil fuels (i.e. diesel and petrol) |
| investment, such as developing alternative fuels (e.g.: | | | | to alternative energy. True, alternative energies like |
| biofuels), solar planes, green cars, green buildings, | | | | biomass, solar energy, wave power are |
| reforestation, etc. Simply put, green funds are those | | | | unconventional, but they are known to have a |
| that invest mainly in companies working for the | | | | minimal effect on the environment. Green investment |
| environment or industries that work for amending the | | | | can also be made in alternative energy mutual funds, |
| current environmental situation. These Green funds | | | | which are like any other green mutual fund company. |
| repel companies that pollute and only support those | | | | The difference is that these funds extract money |
| that are environmentally friendly and help in the | | | | solely from investors looking for capital returns in |
| wellbeing of our planet. Most green investment are | | | | alternative energy sector companies. The funds are |
| made through Green Mutual Funds. Green Mutual | | | | then invested in companies that deal with this |
| Funds are the funds invested in companies or | | | | particular area of green investing. However, as with |
| organizations that have a high level of activity of | | | | every ethical and moral issue, controversies also run |
| projects that are beneficial to the environment. | | | | amok in the field of green investment. What one |
| Basically, there are two models of such companies - | | | | individual may consider a green investment, another |
| one that is actively involved in helping the | | | | may not. And since there is no particular definition of |
| environment, and the other which follows certain | | | | a green investment, green investors are making sure |
| guidelines that are environmentally friendly. | | | | that they do a bit of research to ascertain whether |
| Exchange traded funds, commonly abbreviated to | | | | the company they are investing in fits the bill of what |
| ETFs, are bought and sold in much of a similar | | | | they would consider "green". The future of green |
| manner as any other stock is. However, there are | | | | funds as well as its corresponding stock market |
| certain criteria to consider while choosing a green | | | | seems to have more potential than earlier assumed. |
| ETF. These may include: turnover, expense ratio, and | | | | The green stock market has never bloomed so much |
| index weighing and composition. Several green ETFs | | | | as it has the past couple of years. People are now |
| are available, most preferred being renewable energy | | | | realizing the importance of protecting our planet and |
| ETFs and water sector ETFs. Lately, the green stock | | | | no longer care much about profits or returns. The |
| market has been flourishing. With the shocking | | | | benefits of planet Earth have been exploited enough. |
| increase in oil consumption, natural disasters as well as | | | | There is more awareness today and green |
| the perilous effects of global warming on our planet, | | | | investment is a huge step towards an attempt to |
| more and more people are opting for green | | | | make Planet Earth a safe place to live in. The future |
| investment. It's not only a means of investing wisely, | | | | of these stock markets can be guaranteed bright as |
| but also a means of ensuring the safety of our | | | | many companies are finally realizing its importance |
| planet. Recycling, reforestation, renewable energy, | | | | and working towards saving the planet before filling |
| organic food, agriculture, green cars, energy | | | | their own pockets and not caring about the harm |
| efficiency, waste water treatment, etc., all are areas | | | | their companies are causing to the environment. |
| of green investment. Money may be invested in any | | | | Hence, one can be sure that by the rate at which |
| of the above green industries. However, investing in | | | | this is growing, it is sure to make a mark and bring |
| green funds is a no child's play. The trick is to invest, | | | | about a global revolution that hopefully will save us |
| in what one would call, "safe green funds". Take | | | | from the environmental plight we are facing right |
| Allianz, for example. It is not the only green mutual, | | | | now. |
| but it is one of the few that offers a wide diversity | | | | |