Guy Opperman MP recently visited Keighley to visit a major manufacturer to emphasise their potential as an ethical and sustainable investment prospect for future pension funds. Airedale Springs in Haworth is committed to environmental sustainability, making them a prime candidate for ethical pension fund investments.
Pensions Minister Guy and Keighley’s local MP Robbie Moore visited the firm ahead of changes to pension investment regulations which will come into force in October. The investment of pension funds will now have to meet particular Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria to ensure their investments are ethical and sustainable.
Pension Funds in the UK manage over £1 trillion in companies worldwide. These new regulations are intended to ensure that firms are encouraged to take responsibility for tackling climate change by rewarding action on reducing their own (potentially negative) impact on the environment.
Airedale Springs supplies springs to major UK manufacturers including Brampton Bikes. The roof of their Howarth production factory has over 100 solar panels which supplies 20% of their energy needs. Their manufacturing facility is rated A for energy efficiency, making them one of the country’s leading firms for sustainable manufacturing.
Following the visit Robbie said:
“This is the third ministerial visit we’ve had in Keighley this month, which is a real sign of the government’s commitment to our area.
“What Guy is advocating here is putting the responsibility for becoming environmentally sustainable in the hands of businesses by rewarding them for taking their duty to the environment seriously. Airedale Springs are a fantastic example of that corporate responsibility as they have taken it upon themselves to reduce the impact of their manufacturing facility on our environment.”
