Bit of a tricky one this. You see, asking people what ethics are is a bit like asking them why they like the Beatles: you'll get a bunch of different views on exactly the same thing.

One guy might think ethics are about 'human rights'. A second person will say they're about 'social responsibility'. A third person: 'being green'.

In the end, you'll get a great big messy splurge of words that all mean pretty much the same thing: caring about people, the environment and animals.

You see, investments are as ethical as you want them to be.

You can be ethical either by ditching companies that invest in negative activities (like armaments) or by proactively investing in environmentally sound and socially progressive companies. See our 'what's right for you?' page to help you work out what ethical issues mean and how important they are to you.

If you're thinking about investing in funds, there's even a handy colour-coded scale. You can check out how ethical a company is for yourself. Dark green means funds which invest in the most ethically sound companies but sacrifice some financial gain, through to light green funds which invest in companies who can be described as 'OK…better than some'.

If you want to try and make a bob on shares by buying directly from ethically sound companies take a peek at the FTSE4Good Index, which aims to set an objective global standard for socially responsible investments.

Whatever label you use it all boils down to one simple principle. If you want to invest ethically, you'll select your investments based on your own financial objectives, along with a commitment to put your money in companies that match your own idea of 'ethical' behaviour - your conscience as well as your wallet helps you decide where to invest.

You know how some customers have changed the coffee, bananas or chocolate they buy because of ethical considerations? Well, here's how you can do the same with your investments.

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