Over a third (35%) of clients expect their Financial Planner to be an expert on environmental, social and governance investments.

A further quarter (23%) of clients surveyed expert their adviser to bring ESG investment opportunities into Financial Planning discussions.

Less than one in ten (9%) of the consumers surveyed by M&G Wealth would not want their adviser to bring up the subject of ESG investing.

A quarter (24%) of those surveyed wanted more information on ESG investing to be able to decide what to do, and 14% said they were unsure how to go about getting information.

Less than a fifth (19%) of those surveyed thought investing sustainability would impact the performance of their investments.

Over four in ten (41%) of those surveyed said they intend to invest more in ESG over the next 12 months, rising to 45% in the next five years.

Cat McInally, ESG investment expert at M&G Wealth, said: “ESG considerations are increasingly a part of our everyday lives and decision-making processes. From changes to our lifestyles through to how we invest our savings, the fact that people are coming to together to make a difference to our lives, communities, and the planet can only be a good thing.

“While the current cost-of-living crisis may have taken some people’s eye off the ball in terms of sustainable issues, one simple and impactful thing they can do is consider sustainable investment options for any savings they have. 

“While our research shows, there is clear growing demand for ESG investing, a significant proportion of UK investors are not totally clear on what it is or how to go about it, and this is where it’s vital that advisers are tooled up with all the necessary information they need to help them.”

Opinium surveyed 2,000 UK adults who have received financial advice in the last five years on behalf of M&G Wealth.