I had the opportunity to sit down with Tess Lawson, CEO of the Evolution Fund, to learn more about this innovative trust that helps support the environment while earning above market returns.
I must admit, the language of finance is all greek to me. I first had to ask what "sustainable investing" really means (since it occurred to me that as long as your investments weren't consistently losing you money, didn't that make them sustainable?)
Well, it turns out that a sustainable investment takes it a step further.
Not only does it take into consideration a traditional financial analysis, but more definitively, it considers social and environmental factors as well. Sounds like my kind of project!
Tess explains that through the Evolution Fund, private investment dollars go towards real estate development projects around Vancouver that are all LEED Platinum certified (which is the highest level of LEED certification available and accounts for a typical energy savings of 60% - among other eco-friendly advantages). My ears perked up immediately because I've been looking for a way to get into the real estate market for some time, but have been daunted by the ever-climbing prices.
The Evolution Fund is an intriguing compromise - by investing an amount of your choice (as little as $600), you can take advantage of Vancouver's real estate boom without the huge commitment of buying and maintaining a home. Not only that, but you are contributing to quality local projects that hold to high social and environmental values. Most importantly, you are looking at a targeted rate of return of 12% on your investment and it is eligible for RRSP, RESP and RRIF.
Financing for your future - in more ways than one!
For more info on the Evolution Fund, visit www.evolutionfund.ca
For a view of the projects they fund, visit Green Development
Sept 2008 Interview http://happyfrog.ca/
