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Impact Investing Market Tops $1 Trillion, GIIN

By Justin Kuepper
Oct 12, 2022
The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) estimated that the global impact investing market is worth $1.164 trillion, according to its 2022: Sizing the Impact Investing Market report, marking the first time the estimate has topped the $1 trillion mark. The growth reflects an increasingly comprehensive measurement of impact assets worldwide.

"Our new estimate of a global impact investing market larger than one trillion dollars represents a significant psychological milestone for the industry as it matures and grows in sophistication," said GIIN CEO Amit Bouri. "While this figure serves as a very positive sign for the industry, it is also a call for further action.

"Vast allocations of capital and an intentional focus toward generating positive impact are required now if we are to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and reach net zero emissions y 2050."

The report shows that Europe continues to lead the impact investing market with about 55% of global assets under management, while the U.S. and Canada come in second with about 37% of total impact assets – despite housing half of all impact organizations. 

In addition, the report cites green bonds and corporate impact investing as two critical growth areas. Green bonds have become a popular way to finance or re-finance environmentally-focused projects and represent a significant portion of impact assets. Meanwhile, corporate impact investing has continued to grow as investors push companies to invest their roughly $2 trillion in cash reserves toward impactful causes.

The new report was produced with the financial support of Nuveen, a TIAA company that manages over $10 billion in assets allocated to impact investing strategies and is committed to the ongoing development of the impact investing industry.