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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 investments. 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.
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 in 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.
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.
