E+Co named as the Sustainable Investor of the Year at the FT Sustainable Banking Awards 2008

Now in their third year, the awards recognise banks and other financial institutions that have shown leadership and innovation in integrating social, environmental and corporate governance considerations into their operations

LONDON, June 3, 2008: The Financial Times and IFC, a member of the World Bank Group announced the winners of the 2008 FT Sustainable Banking Awards, with Banco Real of Brazil named as Sustainable Bank of the Year and also taking the overall Emerging Markets prize.

Sustainable Investor of the Year - E+Co

The institution says: “E+Co invests in small businesses that bring cleaner energy to the poor. Our investments tackle poverty and climate change while generating financial returns. By providing business support services and direct capital investment, E+Co empowers local entrepreneurs who supply clean, modern and affordable energy to households, businesses and communities in developing countries. For nearly 15 years our disciplined, market-driven approach has offset more than 3.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and provided access to energy to more than 4 million people throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. There are tremendous opportunities to create a cleaner, healthier and more productive planet; all we have to do is invest in them.”

The judges’ view: “You hear talk about boutique investing, about SME investing, about technology investing. E+Co are bringing all three together. An inspiration.”

Now in their third year, the awards recognise banks and other financial institutions that have shown leadership and innovation in integrating social, environmental and corporate governance considerations into their operations.The programme has grown in popularity and this year’s winners were selected from a record 182 entries from 129 institutions across 54 countries. Two new categories – Banking at the Bottom of the Pyramid and Sustainable Investor of the Year – were open to non-banking financial institutions as well as banks.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner at the Dorchester in London attended by senior bankers and decision-makers in the area of sustainability. Boris Johnson, the newly elected Mayor of London, was keynote speaker at the dinner. The event followed a one-day Sustainable Banking Conference organised by the Financial Times and IFC.

Read more here