Financial Planners want to get up to speed with the FCA’s advice requirements for green financial products, according to a new survey.

Over a third (36%) of 146 Financial Planners surveyed in a poll of Personal Finance Society members in June want a specialised qualification relevant to the FCA’s expectations for appropriate advice for green financial products.

Of those surveyed, 39% wanted an online learning module, while 25% wanted CPD events and lectures to bolster their knowledge of how they should advise on green finance products.

Lesser known green finance products available to consumers include green loans for small businesses and green mortgages which offer reduced rates to homeowners buying an energy-efficient property.

Keith Richards, chief executive of the Personal Finance Society, said environmental, social and governance practices of investments are becoming more and more important in society and the professional body will use the results of the poll to shape plans for CPD and educational material on this subject.

He said: “Regulators and governments around the world want to ensure that consumers have access to green financial products and services that meet their needs and preferences but that they are also appropriately protected when purchasing them.

“The Personal Finance Society will continue to we work with policymakers, members and the wider market, as well as our European Financial Planning Association affiliate bodies and the International Association of Sustainable Economy, to ensure appropriate material, good practice guides and qualification units are available to meet the needs of professionals and to ensure consumers receive appropriate information so that they can make informed decisions and do not suffer financial harm from ‘greenwashing’.”