Europe’s climate test: Can political leaders and philanthropy step up?

In the assessment of the United Nations Environment Programme we are now on an unavoidable trajectory to pass 1.5 degrees Centigrade of global heating – this is frightening but sadly not unexpected.  Despite repeated pledges and resolutions, world leaders have collectively not matched the scale or urgency of action needed to slow climate change, and we are already seeing the effects on the lives and livelihoods of people globally.  I will argue that in this crucial decade for climate action, there is an overwhelming argument for bold European action on climate change and a unique role for philanthropy to play.

Why Europe’s choices matter globally

There are two principal reasons why Europe must choose to act boldly now on climate change.  First, as one of the world’s largest historical emitters, there’s an unavoidable moral case for Europe to drastically reduce domestic emissions and to support countries across the world that have contributed little to climate change yet are already facing devastating impacts.  And second, as the world’s fastest-warming continent, Europe is experiencing the reality of climate change, such as extreme heat and floods, and the devastation these bring to our health, lives and livelihoods.  This summer alone, conservative figures estimate that excess deaths from extreme heat in Europe will exceed 35,000.

Climate change is no longer looming on the horizon, and the science tells us that in the coming years the changing climate will increasingly challenge Europe’s security, prosperity and competitiveness.  Keeping Europe’s citizens safe, secure, healthy and prosperous therefore requires bold action that honestly and fully incorporates the scientific warnings of climate impacts and capitalises on the huge opportunities of greener economic growth.

What’s holding Europe back?

Europe has shown strong leadership on climate action and has impressively reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 40% since 1990.  The Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, is a strong climate champion and recently used her annual State of the Nation speech to reinstate her climate ambition.  The European Commission has committed significant funds to a strategic research agenda on climate change and human health and is using its convening power to coordinate action across a global group of public funders of research.

But there are also significant headwinds at domestic, European and global levels. Conflict, economic and fiscal pressures, political polarisation and declining trust in institutions have created a contested environment for climate action, hampering the ambition of governments and fracturing a previously well-established European consensus.  Amidst these challenges, Europe risks becoming more inward-facing – just at a time when its role on the global stage is most needed.

What is the role of philanthropy in Europe?

Here’s my proposal of three things that we can all do together.

Use our unique assets

If you ask me what two words best describe good philanthropy, I would choose independent and brave, and I think if we use these unique assets at this critical moment, we can collectively shape a new narrative on climate action.  A narrative that breaks down the existing silos of institutional structures, false choices and traditional funding approaches.  Why are ministries of health, environment, finance all distinct fiefdoms?  Why are we being asked to choose between economic growth and healthy sustainable societies?  Why does research funding remain doggedly sectoral?  As we move into an era that will be entirely shaped by climate change, independent philanthropy should bravely be advocating for this to change.

My strong sense is that philanthropy has a key role in re-writing a people-centred narrative for climate in Europe that addresses polarisation head-on: climate and economy must not be pitted against one another if people are at the centre; sovereignty and global collaboration are not opposing forces if the end-game is to build more secure and prosperous societies.  For Wellcome, we know that human health makes a compelling case that can effect change and we’ll continue to use our voice to bring evidence direct to policymakers and politicians.

Be better partners

Gone are the days of philanthropies competing with one another for the limelight – a challenge as large and complex as climate will only be met through partnership and deep collaboration.  According to Philea analysis – less than 5% of European institutional philanthropic capital is directed to environmental issues, and this money is too often going to a small number of comparatively well-off countries, leaving gaps in crucial parts of Southern and Eastern Europe.

We’ve recently partnered with peers to set up the Climate & Health Funders Coalition that brings together 35+ institutional and individual funders operating at global, regional and national levels around shared climate and health priorities.  Isn’t now the time for us all to invest more time and resource into supporting the philanthropic ecosystem in Europe?  Strong philanthropic networks and platforms like Philea, intermediaries and alliances can foster coordination, build solidarity and grow the collective resource.

Deliver for humanity

To continue to be relevant into the future I think the bottom line for philanthropy is accountability.  I do know that I have a boss and a Board to whom I’m answerable, but I think that in this extremely privileged role I am ultimately accountable to people – people who are already suffering the devastating impacts of climate change, and people yet to be born into a world on a dangerous climate trajectory who will have an increasingly uncertain future.

Of course, we all have our own mission and vision statements that we’ve happily word-smithed for hours – but are they fit for a climate changed future?  At Wellcome we’re seeking to use science to drive urgent action to protect lives from climate change now and in the future – I hope you’ve noticed and I’d be very keen to hear how you think we’re doing!  A question for us all working on climate change is how we can collectively use our institutional resources and unique assets to deliver impact at the scale and with the urgency needed.

Climate action globally is at a crossroads and at Wellcome we firmly believe that European philanthropy has a critical role to play collectively as a sector and in support of European institutions.  A focus on our unique assets, the benefits of partnership and impact for humanity will deliver a future in which climate action protects health and livelihoods, strengthens societies and reaches communities facing the greatest risks.  We’re grateful to Philea for its spotlight on climate across 2026 and look forward to supporting this important work in the years to come.