Ethical Investments
Ethical investments avoid businesses that harm humans or animals. They prioritize industries that align with sustainability, cruelty-free practices, and environmental harmony.
Examples of Unethical Industries
Animal Breeding
Footwear
Pharmaceuticals
Meat Processing
Restaurants
Investor Responsibility
Your investments shape industries and their practices, often in ways you might not realize. Let’s examine two companies—Godrej Agrovet and Devyani International—to understand how investor capital impacts animal welfare:
Godrej Agrovet
Impact of Capital: Godrej Agrovet generates over ₹9,400 crore annually, with more than half from its animal feed business . The company expanded its production capacity by investing ₹300 crore in FY22 (ProjectsToday), enabling more feed production for factory farming of poultry, dairy cattle, and aquaculture .
Animal Welfare Implications: Increased feed production supports the intensive rearing of animals, contributing to overcrowded farming conditions, premature slaughter, and other inhumane practices. This link between feed production and factory farming underscores the ethical implications of investing in the company.
Devyani International
Business Growth: Devyani International operates 1,782 outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Costa Coffee, with a revenue of ₹2,134 crore in FY23, growing 27% year-on-year (Devdiscourse). Its aggressive expansion added 256 outlets in FY23, driving demand for poultry farming.
Animal Impact: KFC, a key brand under Devyani, relies heavily on chicken, with each outlet requiring substantial poultry supply. The expansion of stores results in increased animal farming, which often involves overcrowded and inhumane farming methods to meet the supply demand.