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Explore the core concepts of investments that aim to generate social and environmental impact alongside financial returns.
Core Concept
Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social or environmental impact alongside a financial return.
Core Characteristics
Clear desire for social/environmental benefits.
Using evidence for effective investment.
Active management towards impact goals.
Sharing learnings to advance the field.
Evolution
The history of impact investing is a story of evolving consciousness, where financial mechanisms increasingly align with social and environmental values. While its modern form is relatively recent, the underlying principles have deep roots.
This timeline highlights key events, from early ethical investment movements to the coining of "impact investing" and the establishment of major industry organizations and standards.
Market Overview
The global impact investing market, as tracked by the GIIN, has reached a total value exceeding $1.57 trillion, demonstrating steady growth and increased investor interest. This figure represents assets under management (AUM) and reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% since 2019.
The market is also experiencing a surge in emerging market investments, with a growing number of investors allocating capital to these regions, driven by both social and environmental considerations.
Impact Investment Themes
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