How to Integrate Climate into Your Philanthropic Programmes: What Foundations Need to Know, and Where to Begin

Overview

For most foundations, climate change is not at the core of their mission. Yet, the reality is that no foundation’s work is untouched by it. Climate change poses a growing risk to all philanthropic activity, as well as our partners and grantees and societies at large.

Integrating a climate lens into the design and implementation of your programmatic work is one way to mitigate these risks and creates co-benefits which strengthen the overall impact of your work. Essentially, integration means thinking about climate when making decisions.

This report explores how foundations can integrate climate into any and every level of decision-making, from far-reaching, strategic decisions to day-to-day activities. The scale and the interconnectedness of the climate crisis requires us to transform our mindsets, our practices and our processes ‒ but you do not have to start from scratch. This is an opportunity to integrate climate in a way that reflects your unique organisational values, assets, relationships, experience and expertise.

Key takeaways

• Climate change is an existential global risk. Intertwined with local issues, it directly threatens philanthropic progress. If not addressed, poorly designed climate solutions could further deepen social inequality.
• The more we can bring climate into our thinking, and the bigger and more long-lasting the decisions we make, the bigger the potential impact of our climate integration. This report explores entry points for climate integration in a foundation’s purpose, strategy, programmes, project decisions and support for partners.
• Integration depends on a deepening understanding of climate change at all levels. Foundations must embed climate knowledge across their governance, staff, and grantees to ensure informed decision-making.