pension funds
ethical and esg pension funds.
Socially responsible (ethical or ESG) equity funds choose or exclude companies based on environmental, social and governance factors — for example leaving out tobacco or weapons makers, or favouring companies with lower carbon emissions. Each fund sets its own rules, so check the provider's documents for what it avoids.
- funds
- 6
- providers
- 4
- typical risk
- 5–7/7
- middle 5-yr return
- +4.9% a year
Of the 4 ethical and esg pension funds with a five-year record, the highest average yearly return was +8.3% (New Ireland Ethical Equity, New Ireland) and the lowest +0.9% (Standard Life Global Equity Impact Fund, Standard Life). 2 funds are under five years old and listed after, by 3-year return.
ranked by 5-year return
| # | fund | risk | 1 yr | 3 yr avg | 5 yr avg | 10 yr avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Ireland Ethical EquityNew Ireland | risk 5/7 | +16.4% | +12.8% | +8.3% | +9.3% |
| 2 | New Ireland Ethical ManagedNew Ireland | risk 5/7 | +12.1% | +9.8% | +5.5% | +6.5% |
| 3 | Aviva Stewardship Ethical EquityAviva | risk 6/7 | +3.7% | +6.6% | +4.3% | +9.3% |
| 4 | Standard Life Global Equity Impact FundStandard Life | risk 5/7 | +4.5% | +2.1% | +0.9% | — |
| 5 | Aviva European Equity ESG Passive FundAviva | risk 6/7 | +11.8% | +10.6% | — | — |
| 6 | AIB Life Climate Impact EquityAIB Life | risk 7/7 | +2.8% | +3.7% | — | — |
average yearly returns as published by the national pension helpline fund explorer, updated 9 Nov 2026, 06:01. your own return also depends on the charges on your policy. past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.
providers with these funds
other kinds of fund