As the UK swelters through its third heatwave of the year, it’s getting harder to treat climate change as a faraway threat.
When the weather turns extreme, most of us think about how to keep our homes cool, protect children and older relatives, and manage the rising cost of staying comfortable. But there’s another important question worth asking: where is your money?
Many people don’t realise their savings, investments and pensions may be helping to fund the very industries driving the climate crisis. Moving your money into sustainable investments is one way to make sure it’s supporting companies and projects working on the solutions, from clean energy and healthcare to education, sustainable transport and better use of natural resources.
Investing is a long-term commitment. It’s generally best suited to money you can leave untouched for at least five years, and the value of your investments can go down as well as up. But if you’ve already built up a cash buffer and are ready to invest, choosing a sustainable platform can help your money work harder for your future and for the planet.
So, if you’ve been thinking about getting started but aren’t sure where to begin, here are three easy-to-use sustainable investment platforms in the UK.
How we chose these platforms
At Good With Money, we use the Good Money Test to help assess whether a financial provider is genuinely trying to do better for people and planet.
For investment platforms, we ask five simple questions:
Where does your money go?
Can you see what is happening to it?
Is it doing any good?
Are customers treated fairly?
Do the firm’s actions back up its claims?
No investment platform is perfect, and sustainable investing still requires care. Look beyond the word “green” and check what’s actually inside the funds, what sectors are excluded, what positive impact is being targeted, and how clearly the provider explains costs and risks.
The Financial Conduct Authority has introduced sustainability labels and anti-greenwashing rules to help consumers understand investment claims more clearly. These are useful, but they aren’t a substitute for doing your own checks.
Simply EQ
What it is: Simply EQ is an online and phone-based investment offering from EQ Investors, a Good With Money Good Egg company. It’s designed as a more accessible entry point into EQ’s sustainable investment portfolios.
You can choose from three approaches: Positive Impact, Future Leaders and Climate Action.
The Positive Impact portfolios invest in companies whose products and services aim to help solve social and environmental problems. Future Leaders focuses on responsibly run businesses and aims to offer a lower-cost sustainable option. Climate Action invests in companies and funds supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy.
What we like: Simply EQ is a strong option for people who want a managed sustainable portfolio, but do not need full financial advice. EQ has a long-standing reputation in ethical and impact investing, and its portfolios are designed to combine financial returns with measurable social and environmental outcomes.
It also offers a useful middle ground for investors who want more substance than a basic “ethical” option on a mainstream platform, but still want the process to feel straightforward.
Costs and minimums: With up to £100,000, you can invest online from 0.99 per cent plus VAT. Fund charges are extra and currently range from around 0.25 per cent to 0.6 per cent, depending on the portfolio. The minimum investment is £250 a month or a £1,000 lump sum.
Find out more about Simply EQ here.
Triodos Bank
What it is: Triodos Bank is one of the best-known names in sustainable finance. Its Ethical Stocks and Shares ISA lets you invest in four impact investment funds: the Triodos Global Equities Impact Fund, Triodos Pioneer Impact Fund, Triodos Sterling Bond Impact Fund and Triodos Future Generations Fund.
You can also invest through a Triodos Impact Investment Account if you have already used your ISA allowance.
What we like: Triodos has one of the clearest approaches to transparency in the market. It publishes details of the organisations it finances, and its investment funds are built around positive impact themes rather than simply screening out a few controversial sectors.
For investors who want a provider with sustainability at the heart of the business, rather than as an add-on, Triodos remains one of the strongest choices.
Its funds cover different goals, from listed companies contributing to a more sustainable economy to bonds issued by organisations aiming to deliver positive social or environmental outcomes. The Future Generations Fund, for example, focuses on companies contributing to children’s wellbeing and development.
Costs and minimums: Triodos charges an Annual Service Charge of 0.40 per cent per year on balances up to £250,000, falling to 0.20 per cent on amounts above this. Ongoing fund charges also apply and are deducted from the fund. The minimum investment is £250 as a lump sum or £25 a month.
Find out more about Good With Money Good Egg company Triodos here.
The Big Exchange
What it is: The Big Exchange, co-founded by The Big Issue, is an online investment platform that only lists funds assessed for their positive impact on people and planet.
Its funds cover a range of sustainable aims, including cutting carbon emissions, supporting social housing, improving access to healthcare and helping protect nature.
You can choose your own funds or use one of its three ready-made bundles: cautious, balanced or adventurous. These are designed for different levels of risk, making the platform easier to navigate if you are new to investing.
What we like: The Big Exchange is built around accessibility and transparency. Its impact medal system awards funds gold, silver or bronze depending on the level of positive impact they aim to make, giving investors a simple way to compare options.
We also like that The Big Exchange publishes more information on fund holdings than many platforms, helping investors see where their money is actually going.
This is a good option for people who want a broad choice of sustainable funds, but still want a platform that filters out funds that do not meet its impact criteria.
Costs and minimums: The Big Exchange charges a platform fee of 0.25 per cent per year. Fund manager charges apply on top and vary depending on the fund, typically ranging from around 0.5 per cent to 1.8 per cent per year. There are no initial fees or exit fees. You can invest from £25 a month or a £100 lump sum.
Find out more about The Big Exchange here.
Other sustainable investment options
Several mainstream investment platforms now offer sustainable or responsible investment options, including Hargreaves Lansdown, interactive investor and AJ Bell. These can work well for more confident investors who want a wider choice of funds, shares, investment trusts and ETFs.
However, they aren’t exclusively sustainable platforms, so you will need to do more of the filtering yourself. Check fund holdings carefully, look for fossil fuel exposure, and be wary of funds that use vague language without explaining what they actually invest in.
In the app space, Wealthify remains one of the more accessible options for beginners, with an Ethical Plan available across its investment products. It is simple to use, though investors should still check the underlying funds and charges before deciding whether it matches their values.
Before you invest
Sustainable investing isn’t about finding a perfect product. It’s about making a more informed choice.
Before choosing a platform, ask yourself what matters most to you. Do you want to avoid fossil fuels completely? Are you more interested in positive impact themes such as renewable energy, healthcare or education? Do you want a ready-made portfolio, or are you comfortable choosing funds yourself?
Also check the fees carefully. Platform charges, fund charges and any advice or management fees can all affect your returns over time.
The most important step is to stop assuming your money is neutral. Whether it’s in a savings account, pension or investment portfolio, it is being used somewhere. The question is whether it is helping to build the future you want, or funding the problems you want to avoid.
Sustainable investment platforms FAQs
What is the best sustainable investment platform in the UK?
The best sustainable investment platform depends on what you need. Simply EQ is a strong choice if you want a managed sustainable portfolio. Triodos Bank is a good option if transparency and impact are your priority. The Big Exchange works well if you want a wide choice of impact funds with low platform fees and a simple way to compare them.
What is the easiest sustainable investment platform for beginners?
The Big Exchange and Simply EQ are both beginner-friendly. The Big Exchange offers ready-made bundles based on risk level, while Simply EQ offers managed portfolios for people who want a more guided approach.
Can sustainable investments lose money?
Yes. Sustainable investments can fall as well as rise in value, like any other investment. They should usually be considered for money you can leave invested for at least five years.
Are sustainable investment platforms more expensive?
Some sustainable investment options cost more than basic tracker funds, particularly where portfolios are actively managed. However, costs vary widely. The Big Exchange has a platform fee of 0.25 per cent per year, while Simply EQ charges from 0.99 per cent plus VAT for online investments up to £100,000, with fund charges on top.
How can I check if an investment is genuinely sustainable?
Look at what the fund actually holds, not just the name. Check whether it excludes fossil fuels, arms, tobacco or other sectors you want to avoid. Also look for positive impact themes, transparency on holdings, engagement with companies and clear reporting on social and environmental outcomes.
