Sustainable Funds Markets: A Comparison of Europe and the USA

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/2082-4440.49.01

Keywords:

sustainable investment trends, mutual funds, financial regulations

Abstract

In recent years, sustainable funds have emerged as one of the most dynamically expanding segments of the global fund market. This trend has been particularly pronounced in two most developed markets: the United States and Europe. However, the rate of expansion, together with its associated conditions, shows substantial differences between these two regions. This article compares the development of sustainable fund markets in the U.S. and Europe between 2020 and 2024 and identifies the key factors driving these trends. Europe significantly outpaced the U.S. in sustainable fund growth due to a more effective legal framework that includes ESG reporting standards and financial investment regulations. The European market has demonstrated stronger resilience to economic and geopolitical disturbances. Investor sentiment declined between 2022 and 2024, which resulted in decreased fund inflows, increased fund closures, mergers, and rebranding activities in both regions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Akadiri S., Alola A. (2020), The role of partisan conflict in environmental sustainability targets of the United States, “Environmental Science and Pollution Research”, 27: 10265–10274, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07174-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07174-8

ALFI (2024), European Sustainable Investment Funds Study 2024. Sustainable Investing Fuelling Resilient Growth for the Future, https://www.alfi.lu/en-gb/pages/setting-up-in-luxembourg/responsible-investing/european-sustainable-investment-funds-study-2024

Bioy H., Jmili S., Petit A., Boyadzhiev D., Stankiewicz A., Tam I., Hall E., Sato H., Seyunghye Jung A., Chow W. (2022), Global Sustainable Fund Flows: Q4 2021 in Review. Flows and assets continue to grow at the end of a landmark year, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/global-esg-flows

Bioy H., Pucci N., Stewart L., Carabia A. (2025c), US Sustainable Funds Landscape 2024 in Review, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/sustainable-funds-landscape-report

Bioy H., Stuart E., Boyadzhiev D., Petit A., Alladi A. (2021). European Sustainable Funds Landscape: 2020 in Review. A Year of Broken Records Heralding a New Era for Sustainable Investing in Europe, https://www.morningstar.com/en-uk/lp/sustainable-funds-landscape

Bioy H., Stuart E., Hale J., Tam I., Kennaway G., Sato H., Seyunghye Jung A. (2020), Global Sustainable Fund Flows. ESG funds show resilience during COVID-19 sell-off, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/global-esg-flows

Bioy H., Wang B., Carabia A., Lennkvist A., Popat S., Beaudoin H., Mizuta R. (2025b), Global Sustainable Fund Flows: Q1 2025 in Review. Record-high outflows amid new geopolitical challenges and an intensifying ESG backlash, https://www.morningstar.com/business/insights/research/global-esg-flows

Bioy H., Wang B., Pettit A., Stankiewicz A., Mohamed A., Hall E., Sato H., Seunghye Jung A., Beaudoin H. (2023), Global Sustainable Fund Flows: Q4 2022 in Review. European investors show continued appetite for ESG products despite headwinds, while U.S. investors retreat, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/global-esg-flows

Bioy H., Wang B., Pucci N., Carabia A., Popat S., Beaudoin H., Mizuta R., Biddappa A.R. (2025a), Global Sustainable Fund Flows: Q4 2024 in Review, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/global-esg-flows

Black A., Kölbel J. (2024), The Puzzle of ESG Fund Fees. Swiss Finance Institute, N° 24-109, https://www.sfi.ch/en/publications/n-24-109-the-puzzle-of-esg-fund-fees, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5053459 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5053459

Bosio A.O., Giudici G., Taglialatela J. (2025). “Sustainable” Versus “Traditional” Mutual Funds: Is There Really a Difference? A Comparative Analysis Within the EU SFDR Classification Framework. Business Strategy and Development, https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70083 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70083

BVI (2020), How far is the sustainable fund market in Europe? On the Competitive Position of the German Asset Management Industry, https://www.bvi.de/uploads/tx_bvibcenter/2020_European_Sustainable_Fund_Market_02.pdf

California Legislature (2023), Senate Bill 253 & Senate Bill 261 (SB 253 & SB 261), 2023–2024 Session, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

Camilleri M. (2015), Environmental, Social and Governance Disclosures in Europe, “Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal”, 6: 224–242, https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-10-2014-0065 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-10-2014-0065

EFAMA (2024), Sustainable equity UCITS. Promoting sustainable business models, https://www.efama.org/sites/default/files/files/market-insights-18-sustainable-equity-ucits.pdf

EFAMA (2025), Worldwide Regulated Open-end Fund Assets and Flows. Trends in the Fourth Quarter of 2024, https://www.efama.org/sites/default/files/international-statistical-release-q4-2024.pdf

Employee Benefits Security Administration (2022), Prudence and loyalty in selecting plan investments and exercising shareholder rights, “Federal Register”, 87(230): 73822–73885, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/01/2022-25783/prudence-and-loyalty-in-selecting-plan-investments-and-exercising-shareholder-rights

ESMA (2019), Final report on integrating sustainability risks and factors in the UCITS Directive and the AIFMD, https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/library/esma34-45-688_final_report_on_integrating_sustainability_risks_and_factors_in_the_ucits_directive_and_the_aifmd.pdf

ESMA (2022), The drivers of the costs and performance of ESG funds, https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/library/esma_50-165-2146_drivers_of_costs_and_performance_of_esg_funds.pdf

ESMA (2024), Final Report: Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms (ESMA34-472-440).

ESMA (2024), Guidelines on funds’ names using ESG or sustainability-related terms. ESMA34-1592494965-657, https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-08/ESMA34-1592494965-657_Guidelines_on_funds_names_using_ESG_or_sustainability_related_terms.pdf

ESMA (2025), Costs and Performance of EU Retail Investment Products 2024, https://www.esma.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2025-01/ESMA50-524821-3525_ESMA_Market_Report_-_Costs_and_Performance_of_EU_Retail_Investment_Products.pdf

European Commission (2020), Regulation (EU) 2020/852 on the Establishment of a Framework to Facilitate Sustainable Investment (EU Taxonomy Regulation), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32020R0852

European Commission (2021), Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1253 of 21 April 2021 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/565 as regards the integration of sustainability factors, risks and preferences into certain organizational requirements and operating conditions for investment firms, Official Journal of the European Union, L 277, 1–7, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R1253

European Parliament (2023), Transparency and Integrity of Environmental, Social, and Governance Rating Activities, https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2023/753185/EPRS_BRI(2023)753185_EN.pdf

European Parliament and Council (2019), Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 on Sustainability‐Related Disclosures in the Financial Services Sector (SFDR), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019R2088

European Parliament and Council (2022), Directive (EU) 2022/2464 on Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32022L2464

European Parliament and Council of the European Union (2019), Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 on sustainability‐related disclosures in the financial services sector (SFDR), Article 2(17), Official Journal of the European Union, L 317/1, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/2088

Eurosif (2024), Methodology for Eurosif Market Studies on Sustainability-Related Investments, https://www.eurosif.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2024.02.15-Final-Report-Eurosif-Classification_2024.pdf

Evens Z., Armour B. (2024), 2023 US Fund Fee Study, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/annual-us-fund-fee-study

Financial Conduct Authority (2023), PS23/16: Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and investment labels, https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/policy-statements/ps23-16-sustainability-disclosure-requirements-investment-labels

Florida Legislature (2023), House Bill 3 (HB 3), 2023 Regular Session, https://www.flsenate.gov

Frecautan I., Nita A. (2022), Who is Going to Win: The EU ESG Regulation or the Rest of the World? – A Critical Review, The Annals of the University of Oradea. Economic Sciences, https://doi.org/10.47535/1991auoes31(2)011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.47535/1991AUOES31(2)011

Gangadia K. (2025), Evolution of Fund Naming Calls for Deeper, Data-Driven Sustainability Insights, https://www.msci.com/www/quick-take/evolution-of-fund-naming-calls/05427906358

Gordon J. (2025), BlackRock removes ‘ESG’ from 56 ETFs and funds housing $51bn, https://www.etfstream.com/articles/blackrock-removes-esg-from-56-etfs-and-funds-housing-usd51bn?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=BlackRock%20removes%20%20ESG%20%20from%2056%20ETFs%20and%20funds%20housing%20%2451bn&utm_campaign=ETF%20Bulletin%2018%2F03%2F25

GSIA (2023), Global Sustainable Investment Review 2022, https://www.gsi-alliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GSIA-Report-2022.pdf

Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance (2023, March 11), ESG battlegrounds: How the states are shaping the regulatory landscape in the U.S., https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2023/03/11/esg-battlegrounds-how-the-states-are-shaping-the-regulatory-landscape-in-the-u-s/

Illinois General Assembly (2022), House Bill 4812 (HB 4812), 102nd General Assembly, https://www.ilga.gov

ISS (2025), 2024 Sustainable Fund Trends: Index ETFs Are the Silver Lining, https://insights.issgovernance.com/posts/2024-sustainable-fund-trends-index-etfs-are-the-silver-lining/

Laidler P. (2017), Does The U.S. Campaign Finance System Favor Republicans. Political preferences, pp. 115–136, https://doi.org/10.6084/M9.FIGSHARE.5216203

Liscow Z., Sunstein C. (2024), Efficiency vs. Welfare in Benefit–Cost Analysis: The Case of Government Funding, “Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis”, https://doi.org/10.1017/bca.2024.22 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4589563

Marszk A., Lechman E. (2019), Exchange-Traded Funds in Europe. Academic Press, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813639-3.00003-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813639-3.00003-1

Marszk A., Lechman E. (2024), What drives sustainable investing? Adoption determinants of sustainable investing exchange-traded funds in Europe, “Structural Change and Economic Dynamics”, 69: 63–82, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2023.11.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.strueco.2023.11.018

Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing (2024), Sustainable Signals: Understanding Individual Investors’ Interests and Priorities, https://www.morganstanley.com/content/dam/msdotcom/en/assets/pdfs/MSInstituteforSustainableInvesting-SustainableSignals-Individuals-2024.pdf

Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion (2022), Transparency Act, https://www.regjeringen.no/en/dokumenter/transparency-act/id2877319/

PwC (2024), European ETF Listing and Distribution 2024, https://www.pwc.lu/en/asset-management/docs/pwc-european-etf-listing-distribution.pdf

Securities and Exchange Commission (2022), The enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors, “Federal Register”, 87(70): 21334–21473, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/03/28/2022-06224/the-enhancement-and-standardization-of-climate-related-disclosures-for-investors

Singhania M., Saini N. (2021), Quantification of ESG Regulations: A Cross-Country Benchmarking Analysis, “Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective”, 26: 163–171, https://doi.org/10.1177/09722629211054173 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/09722629211054173

Soyombo O., Odunaiya O., Okoli C., Usiagu G., Ekemezie I. (2024), Sustainability reporting in corporations: A comparative review of practices in the USA and Europe. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2024.18.2.061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2024.18.2.061

State-Level Legislation: Texas Legislature (2021), Senate Bill 13 (SB 13), 87th Legislature, https://capitol.texas.gov

Swiss Federal Council (2024), Ordinance on Climate Disclosures, https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-92310.html

The Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022, SI 2022/31 (2022), https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/31/contents/made

U.S. Congress (2022), Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Public Law No. 117-169, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376

U.S. Department of Labor (2020), Financial factors in selecting plan investments rule. “Federal Register”, 85(223): 72846–72878, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/13/2020-24515/financial-factors-in-selecting-plan-investments

U.S. Department of Labor (2023, January 30), Prudence and loyalty in selecting plan investments and exercising shareholder rights (Final Rule), “Federal Register”, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2023, September 1), Amendments to Investment Company Act Rule 35d-1; Names Rule (Final Rule), “Federal Register”, https://www.sec.gov/rules/final

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2024, March 20), The enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors (Final Rule), “Federal Register”, https://www.sec.gov/rules/final

Wang B., Bioy H., Möttölä M. (2024), ESG Fund Fees. Myth busting: ESG funds aren’t more expensive than non-ESG funds, https://www.morningstar.com/lp/esg-fund-fees

Downloads

Published

2025-12-31

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Domańska, Katarzyna, and Tomasz Miziołek. 2025. “Sustainable Funds Markets: A Comparison of Europe and the USA”. Ekonomia Międzynarodowa (International Economics), no. 49 (December): 5-26. https://doi.org/10.18778/2082-4440.49.01.