A curated collection of research, frameworks, and tools — organized by topic and mapped to The Impact Thesis Blueprint.
The impact investing market has grown from a niche practice to an estimated $1.6 trillion in assets under management. Understanding the current state of this market — its size, growth trajectory, geographic distribution, and performance trends — is essential context for anyone constructing an impact thesis. These resources from The Impact Thesis Blueprint provide the data and analysis needed to ground your strategy in current market reality.
The Global Impact Investing Network produces the most comprehensive market data through its annual surveys and sizing reports. These publications track market growth over time, analyze performance across asset classes and geographies, and identify the trends shaping investor behavior.
Market sizing in impact investing presents unique methodological challenges. The boundaries of what constitutes an "impact investment" remain contested, and different definitions produce different market size estimates. The GIIN's methodology applies specific criteria aligned to the core characteristics of impact investing — intentionality, evidence-based practice, performance management, and contribution to industry learning.
The Blueprint's first module, Overview of Impact Investing, situates the practice within the broader continuum of capital. The resources here provide the quantitative context for that positioning.
Analysis showing 98% of sustainability programs haven't met expectations, with investment and priorities as key barriers.
GIIN's 2020 flagship survey of 294 impact investors, covering AUM, financial performance, sector allocations, and market challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benchmark showing increased net-zero commitments but insufficient alignment with 1.5°C pathways.
Comprehensive analysis of global impact investing market trends and performance.
UN Environment Programme assessment of the gap between current emissions trajectories and Paris Agreement targets.
Landscape analysis of faith-based investment institutions and their engagement with impact investing, covering values alignment, decision frameworks, and market potential.
Progress report on net-zero commitments from the global financial sector alliance.
Index measuring how countries manage shared global resources critical to planetary stability.
GIIN comprehensive analysis of global impact investing market size and trends.
WEF annual assessment of the most pressing global risks across economic, environmental, geopolitical, and technological dimensions.
VBA analysis showing corporate sustainability action has not stopped, with 37% of companies increasing ambitions.
GIIN's 2022 estimate of global impact investing AUM, providing a market-sizing baseline for practitioners, policymakers, and institutional allocators.
Market research report forecasting the growth and segmentation of the global impact investing market to 2033.
Regional deep-dive into impact capital flows, financial performance, and sector focus across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
Survey findings on how pension funds, endowments, and insurers are integrating impact across asset classes, with attention to governance and accountability structures.
KPMG survey finding most companies are behind on 2030 targets and must rapidly accelerate sustainability efforts.
WWF's flagship report documenting a 73% decline in global wildlife populations over 50 years.
GIIN survey of institutional asset owners on allocation strategy, impact integration, and market barriers in a shifting macro environment.
PwC report showing 20% increase in companies with decarbonization targets and significant climate-related CapEx growth.
GIIN's latest estimate of global impact investing AUM, providing the field's most widely cited benchmark for market scale and growth trajectory.
GIIN's 2024 annual survey on market size, financial performance, sector allocations, and investor sentiment across the global impact investing landscape.
GIIN's flagship annual survey tracking AUM growth, sector allocations, financial performance, and emerging trends across the global impact investing market.
Survey finding 95% of experts agree the current approach to sustainability needs radical revision.
Framework designed to show investors how sustainability performance contributes to long-term value in private markets.
Survey and analysis of corporate practices in sustainable value creation from VBA member companies.
Updated landscape analysis of impact investing activity across Southeast Asia, tracking market growth, sector focus, and investor composition since 2016.
Comprehensive mapping of impact investing activity across Latin America, covering market size, sector concentration, and ecosystem enablers and barriers.
Survey of investor responses to COVID-19, documenting how social equity considerations shaped portfolio strategy and capital deployment decisions.
Aggregate snapshot of how the impact investing market responded to COVID-19, synthesizing findings from the GIIN's broader multi-part market survey.
Documents investor strategies for supporting portfolio enterprises during COVID-19, including restructuring, liquidity provision, and non-financial assistance.
Strategic guide for CEOs navigating the transition from quick wins to structural sustainability transformation.
Defines Total Addressable Market (TAM) and methods for estimating market size.