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Investing for principles as well as profit seems to be working, latest figures show as Good Money Week starts today. The FTSE4Good index, which screens out stocks in tobacco, mining and other ‘non-ethical’ sectors, has beaten the all-share index over the past five years, returning 48per cent versus 43per cent . The global version of the goodie index has made 62per cent, just ahead of the 60per cent delivered by the MSCI world index.

You can’t be entirely sure where your cash will go, but funds that have steered clear of controversial sectors such as gas and oil are prospering They have been ridiculed by some and overlooked by others, but ethical investment funds – and the people who have put money into them – are having the last laugh. The funds appear to have benefited from their low or non-existent exposure to sectors such as mining and oil, where share prices have collapsed in recent months.

Ahead of Good Money Week, Castlefield, the UK’s leading specialists in responsible investment unveils key considerations and steps to take if consumers are looking to invest in ethical funds. Investors are becoming increasingly savvy about risks and the consequences of damaging the environment.  Following the increase in high profile individuals and pension funds looking to pull their investments out of fossil fuel companies, the survey found that 56% of investors were concerned that they could lose money by investing in these so called ‘stranded assets’, like oil and gas.

Good Money Week is an opportunity to ensure those you trust with your money are looking after it well and using it in ways that benefit society and protect the environment. For people of faith it has particular relevance as a time to reflect on whether your finances – from your general current account to your pension fund – are properly aligned to your values.