The value of South Korea's socially responsible investment is estimated at $8 billion in 2013, lagging behind those of other advanced countries, data showed on Tuesday. 
  

SRI refers to investment in companies that address environmental issues and practice sustainable and responsible management.
  

The global SRI market was estimated as $26.9 trillion, with Europe having the largest share of 43 percent, according to the Corporate Governance Service, a private researcher on corporate governance.
  

By country, Canada took the top spot with $8.5 trillion, followed by the U.S. with $6.57 trillion, the U.K. with $2.3 trillion and France with $2.04 trillion.
  

Among Asian countries, Malaysia was at the top with $15 billion, followed by Hong Kong with $11 billion. The comparable figures for Singapore, China and Indonesia were $5.7 billion, $1.8 billion and $1 billion, according to the data.
  

SRI has been on a sharp rise as institutional investors enjoyed decent returns from investing in companies they view as socially responsible and good in governance. (Yonhap)