It may not be easy at first for individuals such as you and me to fully grasp what ``green investment’’ means. It is a specialized segment which mostly invites participation from governments, large companies, business houses, conglomerates and private entrepreneurs rather than from small investors.

In layman terms, this kind of investment signifies one that is ethically and socially responsible. I know that is general term and could include a lot of things. Being socially responsible could mean pumping in money for making the earth a better place or for improving the environment or helping the research and development process for a better tomorrow. The current movement to fight global warming should see a lot of green investors supporting it.

This category of investment also includes money going into creating renewable energy, bio fuels, solar energy and wind power among other such resources. One could also invest in forestation schemes, for example.

Investing where it matters to a larger section of the population could be termed as `putting your money where your heart is’. You could call it philanthropy or be smarter and watch where your money goes. Either way, I gather that the return on investment for small investors is nothing to write home about. But I’m not a fund analyst.

So, if the question that’s bothering you is -- whether you as an individual should or can make a green investment – consult an expert. Trust me. There are several companies that fall into the SRI (socially responsible investment) bracket and yet others that can only claim to play a substantial role. So, check out the possibilities before making a move. A final word, one hears that the market does like green funds.