Social investing, impact investing, microfinance, impact finance, sustainable and responsible investing, are terminologies that are often used in a multitude of overlapping and sometimes confusing ways. Although responsible investors tend to see the global picture in a much clearer way than before, challenges remain present when it comes to defining and categorising responsible investing products.
Methods and approaches to value and integrate Environmental, Social and Governance “ESG” considerations into investment processes are multiplying and appear to be in constant evolution. Whereas it is clear that responsible investing will continue to evolve in various ways and under various names, it is also important to be able to measure the size of the market in a comprehensive manner to allow comparisons and measure evolution over time. The principal aim of this study is to establish an accurate point from which to measure both the current Responsible Investment fund market and future evolution.