Impact investing, which represents the most innovative and in some ways "bold" frontier within the broader family of sustainable investments, continues to grow. In quantity and, above all, in quality. So say the investors themselves, who endorse impact investments almost unanimously. The data come from the 2017 edition of the annual survey conducted by the Global Impact Investing Network (Giin).

How the impact investing study was conducted

The report was written by the Global Impact Investing Network (Giin), with the support of the British government and the MacArthur Foundation. The Giin is a non-profit organisation that aims to support the growth of impact investing worldwide, publishing research and educational content in order to build a network among all interested parties. This study, now in its seventh edition, is based on interviews with 209 investors active in the field of impact investing. We are not talking about individuals but about funds, banks, foundations, pension funds, insurance companies and so on.

114 billion dollars "at impact"

During 2016, transactions by the respondents numbered nearly 8,000, with a total value of just over 22 billion dollars. This year, a further increase of 20 per cent in the number of transactions and a +17 per cent in capital invested is expected. To date, the "impact" portfolios managed by the respondents have reached a value of 114 billion dollars.

The vast majority of this capital has been invested in sectors covering people's basic needs: housing, energy, microfinance and financial services more broadly, food and agriculture, and health. One year after their introduction, only 26 per cent of respondents have adopted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference framework. But a further 34 per cent promise to do so in the near future.

Responsible finance gets a unanimous endorsement

Even more interesting is hearing directly from investors themselves, to understand whether they are satisfied with their choice. Impact investing, after all, encompasses those investments that seek to achieve both a financial return and a positive, concrete and measurable social impact on the environment and society. It is a new and highly advanced approach that demands a great deal of work from those managing the investments: first and foremost, individual projects to be financed must be selected; then it must be ensured that they are genuinely sustainable and, at the same time, that they remain attractive and competitive on a purely financial level as well. But it is precisely on this front that the most encouraging news emerges: 98 per cent of respondents report that their investments have met or exceeded expectations in terms of social and environmental impact. 91 per cent say the same with regard to financial performance.

A mature sector

This widespread satisfaction is the result of the great strides the impact investing sector has made over the past year. From those working in the field, we learn that there are ever more qualified professionals, that new high-quality investment opportunities are emerging, and that impact measurement techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated. In short, impact investing is growing ever more mature — to the point of having won over even some of the finance world's major players, traditionally very cautious. This represents a significant boost in confidence that, in the coming months, will attract large amounts of capital and make this market increasingly professional.