January 2025

Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends

Welcome to our January 2025 issue, which examines the latest Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends from the US SIF Foundation. The new Trends Report, released in mid-December, documents $6.5 trillion in total US sustainable investment assets under management at the beginning of 2024. This represents 12 percent of the total US assets under professional management. The US SIF also identified climate action as the number one sustainable investing priority over the long- and short-term.   

Maria Lettini, CEO of the US SIF Foundation, recently stated “Investor interest in capturing the opportunity of the climate transition remains a huge opportunity for the sustainable investing industry. Broader global market trends such as regulatory obligations, evolving client preferences, the transfer of inter-generational wealth and the growing frequency and severity of financially material physical and transition risks associated with climate change are certainly contributing to investors’ interest.”  

We’re featuring a timely podcast, Sustainability and Climate Trends to Watch in 2025 from ESG Now and a new featured video, Addressing the Root Causes of Extinction with biomimicry icon, Janine Benyus from Bloom 24. 

In case you missed December’s “Women and Impact Investing” issue, it featured astute perspectives from four powerhouse SRI CEO/founders reflecting on their individual journeys into leadership roles.

As you know, the spring conference season begins soon. Stay up to date on a wide variety of sustainable business and impact investing conferences with GreenMoney’s Global Events Calendar.   

Also, in the spring we will be launching the GreenMoney Talks Podcast. Please contact me for sponsorship and guest appearance details.   

Finally, let me close this note with a memory of generosity and gratitude for an anniversary I missed earlier this year. I was having lunch recently in Santa Fe with my long-time friend Hal Brill. As I reflected on the visit, I realized it has been 25 years since the launch of our “Investing with Your Values” book in the summer of 1999. Hal and I co-wrote the book with Hal’s dad, Jack and the foreword was written by Amy Domini. What an amazing experience that was for all of us.   

– Cliff Feigenbaum, founder & publisher

US SIF Trends Report documents Sustainable Investment Assets

The US SIF 2024 Report on US Sustainable Investment Trends is here, offering an in-depth look at the $6.5 trillion in assets now marketed as sustainable or ESG investments — representing 12% of the total U.S. market. Whether you're an investor, policymaker or sustainability advocate, this report delivers the essential insights you need to stay ahead in the evolving sustainable investment landscape.
 

US Sustainable Investing Trends Report–Foreword

Maria Lettini
CEO, US SIF
For decades, the US SIF has been working with the sustainable investing community to explore the trends shaping the way investors address ESG issues. Now on our 15th edition of our survey, we track the evolution of a practice that has moved from a niche approach focusing on values-driven decision-making in its infancy, to a rigorous field centered on financial risks and opportunities directly impacting companies.
 

Key Highlights from the US Sustainable Investing Trends Report

US SIF analysis, based on submissions to the SEC, records the US market size as $52.5 trillion, of which $6.5 trillion (12%) were identified or marketed as Sustainable or ESG investment. SIF found that 79% of that or $41.5 trillion, was covered by a stewardship policy. More research is needed to drill down further within the assets covered by a stewardship policy. These numbers create a new baseline for future reports.
 

History of US Trends Reports and Sustainable Investing Milestones

US SIF: The US Sustainable Investment Forum was founded in 1984, early in the sustainable investing movement’s history. We’ve been delighted to be at the center of a widening network of investors and other capital markets actors who recognize that their role as capital stewards includes driving financial outcomes to safeguard the long-term value of their investments alongside people and the planet.
 
 

The Sustainability and Climate Trends to Watch in 2025

ESG Now Podcast – Listen to top trends shaping the year ahead – from energy transition opportunities emerging in private markets and rising social risks – to falling data access for AI models and checking the pulse with tech giants. Host: Bentley Kaplan of MSCI ESG Research; Guests: Liz Houston, Namita Nair and Jonathan Ponder of MSCI ESG Research

How Can We Spur Transformational Community Development?

How Can We Spur Transformational Community Development?

Bernel Hall
New Jersey Community Capital
Today, CDFIs are creating positive economic development in overlooked areas and delivering competitive returns. CDFIs expand economic opportunities to spur transformational change for communities and businesses. Classifying them as federally regulated private financial institutions and establishing the CDFI Fund in 1994, strengthened their efficacy and impact.
Unlocking Climate Tech Capital for Blue Economy Ventures

Unlocking Climate Tech Capital for Blue Economy Ventures

Helena Janulis and Rosie Keller
Investable Oceans and DOE ARPA-E
New interviews and surveys from leading fund managers investigate trends and opportunities for accelerating crossover investing by climate and energy VCs into the blue economy, which has experienced a surge in investment momentum in recent years. Annual VC funding allocated to this space has grown almost 300% in the last five years – a faster rate than almost any other sector.
Parnassus Investments Debuts Two Active ETFs

Parnassus Investments Debuts Two Active ETFs

Parnassus Investments, a pioneer in sustainable investing, announced recently the launch of its first two ETFs, the Parnassus Core Select ETF and the Parnassus Value Select ETF. The new funds mark Parnassus’s entry into the active ETF market to offer investors access to the firm’s high-conviction, actively managed equity strategies in a convenient, tax-advantaged vehicle.
ImpactAssets Unveils 2024 Impact Report

ImpactAssets Unveils 2024 Impact Report

ImpactAssets, the impact investing leader with a decade-plus track record of mobilizing capital for good, recently released its 2024 Impact Report. The report highlights how ImpactAssets made new investments in nearly 300 companies and funds and disbursed more than 14,000 grants to nonprofits in 2023 alone, channeling $520 million toward organizations that advance social and environmental progress.
Vert AM Celebrates 7th Anniversary of Global Sustainable Real Estate Fund

Vert AM Celebrates 7th Anniversary of Global Sustainable Real Estate Fund

Vert Asset Management recently celebrated the 7th anniversary of Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF. The exchange-traded fund invests across the globe in publicly listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) using evidence-based environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Vert is an active shareholder and works with portfolio companies and industry groups to advance sustainability.
Homewise Receives $25 Million Donation from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving

Homewise Receives $25 Million Donation from MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving

The extraordinary contribution from Yield Giving as well as from Anchorum Health Foundation will directly fund programs that create pathways to affordable homeownership and improve energy efficiency in homes. None of the funding will be allocated to operational costs, ensuring that every dollar is dedicated to expanding Homewise’s impact on individuals, families, and communities in the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas.

 
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