Responsible investment funds made up two third of September total fund inflows, the latest Investment Association data has revealed.

Savers invested £1.6bn into responsible investment funds in September.

Emma Wall, head of investment analysis and research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the figures showed that investors were serious about their commitment to responsible investing.

She said: “Retail investors are showing the politicians at COP how to align ethics and profits - investing record cash into responsible funds. We’ve seen flows on platform up 6,000% in the past five years and there’s no sign of appetite slowing.

"The pledges made this week by both the regulator and financial services industry to support the transition to a greener, cleaner economy creates both the chance of a brighter future for the environment and society - as well as a multitude of exciting investment opportunities.”

She added that net flows into passive ESG funds on the Hargreaves Lansdown were up 966% year on year.

Global was the best-selling sector in September with net retail sales of £955m, according to the latest data from the Investment Association.

Tracker fund sales remained strong with inflows of £1bn.

Property funds experienced inflows of £90m after a tough few months for the sector, nearly four times higher than August inflows of £23m.

UK equity funds saw outflows for the second consecutive month. Net outflows were £584m.

The worst-selling Investment Association sector in September 2021 was UK All Companies, which experienced outflows of £341m.

Responsible investing has been a focus in the media over the past month, with the COP26 conference on climate change currently taking place in Glasgow.

The advice profession must heed the messages coming from the COP26 conference, a number of leading Financial Planners told Financial Planning Today this week.

Financial Planners said that the COP26 conference will have a disruptive impact on financial services and usher in new regulation.