Boston, MA -- (SBWire) -- 01/11/2012 --Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has commented on the latest survey from IFA Barchester Green Investment, which intends to find the best and worst ethical investments in the UK.

“Barchester’s Heroes and Villains survey is a great tool for anyone looking to make an ethical investment in 2012,” commented AAA’s Anthony Johnson. The analysts for the alternative investment advocacy and research group, added, “Here at AAA, we believe that it is possible to make money while making a positive impact on social and environmental issues, particularly by investing in projects working in developing countries.”

The Barchester survey looks to whether certain funds within the ethical and environmental sector are living up to their long-term goals and generating return for investors. The top-ranked fund for 2011 was the Aviva Sustainable Future Managed Fund, which has £310 million of assets under management at the moment.

Other funds to make the Heroes list included the Kames Ethical Equity Fund, Henderson Industries of the Future and the Cheviot Climate Assets. There has been a major increase in interest in ethical funds in recent years, thanks to a general move towards alternatives in response to volatility within the equity markets.

“When people are looking for an alternative fund, they are often drawn towards ethical options as they can also be some of the most profitable for investors,” added Mr Johnson.

AAA supports a range of impact investing options, as well as non-fund based investments, like direct forestry investment through firms like Greenwood Management. This option involves buying up sections of plantation land in countries like Brazil and Canada and making profits as the trees grow and are sold off for timber. The whole process is sustainable and both encourages and demonstrates managed forestry techniques in countries that need to protect their forestry industries for generations to come.