‘An alphabet soup of acronyms’ and ‘…awash with jargon’ – just two comments about the impact investment industry that highlight why some existing investors find it confusing, or why people might be put off from the outset.

Yet 70% of people interviewed last year by the Impact Management Project said they want their investments to avoid harm and achieve good for people and the planet. Therefore, the desire is there, but the same survey highlighted that more information (58%), greater availability of products (55%) and more evidence of its success (60%) would encourage people to invest sustainably.  Similar feedback was given in the annual Impact Investment survey commissioned by Triodos.

As a frontrunner in ethical banking and investing, we strongly believe that impact investments are an integral part of helping to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help end poverty and protect the planet.

We feel it’s imperative that we play our role in promoting impact investing and help to break down that alphabet soup so that it’s easier to understand and to access. That's why we’ve designed the A to Z of Impact Investing, which is now available to download.

It provides a glossary of the most commonly used terms by Triodos and by the wider impact investment industry, gives a flavour of the funds we offer and shares some insights from our investors as to why they invest for impact.

By adding to our UK investment portfolio with the new Triodos Sterling Bond Impact Fund, we now offer three Impact Investment funds at different ends of the risk and reward spectrum and across the main asset classes.

We aim to help demystify the industry by breaking down its terminology and some of its stereotypes, so that impact investing can become a more accessible and attractive option for people hoping to use their money as a force for good.

Our diverse community of impact investors come from all walks of life and are aged from their 20s to their 80s. What they have in common is that they’ve chosen to invest their money for positive impact, as well as financial return, helping us move towards a more sustainable society.

It’s important to remember that investing is different from putting your money in a savings account, as the value of investments can go down as well as up, and you may not get back what you put in. Our impact investments are for the long-term (five years or more).

Download our A to Z of Impact Investing

Bust through the jargon and learn more about the world of Impact Investing.

Download