Your Investments: How to be good

More emphasis on sustainability reporting has made it easier for investors who want to put their money into ethical stocks, writes Barry J Whyte.

For many people, a broadly ethical investment -- so long as it produces healthy returns for them -- will be sufficient. Picture: Thinkstock

Last week, ethical asset manager RobecoSAM announced its Sustainability Yearbook of the best companies, countries and regions for ethical and sustainable investing. In the foreword to the yearbook, RobecoSAM's chief executive Michael Baldinger writes: ''Although sustainability reporting was once merely considered an optional but nice' activity, it now appears to have become practically mandatory for most multinational companies.

All of which makes it easier than ever for investors who want not just returns, ...