As the AI boom dominates headlines, the global green economy has surpassed US$10 trillion in market capitalisation. So why isn’t anyone talking about it?
Perhaps the answer lies in the headlines. Artificial intelligence is dominating the global conversation, attracting enormous investment, media coverage and the attention of business leaders and investors. In the process, another major economic transformation may be receiving less attention than it deserves.
According to the London Stock Exchange Group’s (LSEG) Investing in the Green Economy 2026 report, the global green economy surpassed US$10 trillion in market capitalisation in the fourth quarter of 2025. If classified as a standalone industry, it would rank as the world’s third-largest, behind Technology and Industrials.
These figures put social and environmental sustainability into a different perspective. This is no longer a niche market or a future opportunity. It is a significant part of the global economy, attracting investment, generating revenue and reshaping industries.
LSEG’s analysis covers more than 21,000 listed companies worldwide. In 2025, their combined revenues from green products and services grew by 5.3%, the fastest annual growth rate since 2022.
Revenue increased across 99 of the 133 green product and service categories tracked by LSEG. Electric vehicles and advanced batteries were among the strongest contributors, adding US$62 billion in revenue during the year.
The green economy includes much more than renewable energy. It spans energy efficiency, electric transport, water technology, recycling, pollution control, sustainable agriculture, forest restoration and rewilding, as well as ethical fashion, traditional crafts, cultural heritage and creative industries that promote sustainable production and preserve local knowledge. Together, these activities represent a substantial and increasingly diverse economic sector, connecting environmental protection with cultural preservation, innovation and new opportunities for business and communities.
The report also highlights the green economy’s long-term performance. Since 2008, the FTSE Environmental Opportunities All Share Index, which tracks companies with significant green revenues, has outperformed global equities by 133%.
Green bond issuance reached a record US$605 billion in 2025, up 5.7% on the previous year. Meanwhile, LSEG identified US$4.1 trillion in green mergers and acquisitions over the past decade, representing 13.4% of global deal value during that period.
These figures demonstrate that the green economy is not simply about environmental commitments. It is also about capital markets, business expansion, technology and commercial opportunity. Companies are developing new products, expanding into new markets and acquiring capabilities to accelerate growth. Investors are assessing opportunities across industries, while businesses respond to changing energy needs, supply chain pressures and demand for greater efficiency.
The transition is not without challenges. Political uncertainty, changing regulations and market volatility continue to affect investment decisions. Growth also varies between sectors and regions. Nevertheless, the overall scale of the market is clear.
This raises an important question: why does a market of this size receive so little attention in mainstream economic discussion?
Perhaps the problem is how sustainability has traditionally been presented. Too often, the conversation centres on environmental responsibility, emissions targets and regulation, overlooking the scale of the business transformation taking place. The environmental benefits remain important, but the economic implications deserve equal attention.
At Sublime Magazine, we have been covering sustainability, business, innovation, culture and lifestyle since 2004. We believe this transformation deserves informed journalism that connects the data with the businesses, ideas and people driving change.
The figures published by LSEG make one thing clear: the green economy is already operating at a scale that demands attention from business leaders, investors, policymakers and the media.
Nobody saw this coming. Perhaps the real question is why so many people at the top are still overlooking it.
The green economy is here. It is worth trillions. And it is time we started talking about it.
Damian Santamaria is an international business consultant on brand, sustainability and innovation for the green economy. He is a Visiting Fellow to the School of Business, Law and Communication in Southampton Solent University, Visiting Lecturer at the School of Media at London College of Communication UAL, an influencer of ethical fashion and Founder/ CEO of SUBLIMETV and SUBLIME Magazine.
