By Emel Tabaku
My introduction to philanthropic climate action was sparked by a conversation with Erika Miller, a leader from WINGS’ #PhilanthropyForClimate movement. She shared a story about a small foundation that initially struggled to see how their work on education could connect with climate action, then would later recognize the intersection and successfully integrate climate considerations into their educational programs. This narrative highlighted the complex and multifaceted nature of addressing climate change through philanthropy.
Unlike other issues, climate change is a cross-cutting challenge that impacts all philanthropic priorities, from health and education to economic development and social justice. In a post-pandemic world, where the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and climate-induced disruptions continue to impact our economies and societies, the urgency to integrate climate action across philanthropic missions has never been more pressing. This understanding has driven the #PhilanthropyForClimate movement, a global initiative of foundations committed to urgent climate action, regardless of geographic location, size or mission.
The #PhilanthropyForClimate movement is a critical part of the transformation that the philanthropic sector needs. As we look to the future, Erika defines success for this movement by a shift where “climate philanthropy is deeply embedded into all activities and all foundations everywhere are playing a critical role.”
The Commitments
The International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (International Commitment) calls on foundations and other funders to take action on the climate crisis through seven pillars of action: Education and Learning, Commitment of Resources, Integration, Endowment and Assets, Operations, Influencing and Advocacy, and Transparency. This framework is designed to ensure that addressing the climate emergency goes beyond merely allocating financial resources, which, while necessary, does not encompass the holistic approach needed for transformative action. The International Commitment supports long-term, systemic change by encouraging various levers, such as using endowments and assets to divest from fossil fuels and invest in sustainable solutions; and addressing positionality and power dynamics within philanthropic organizations to ensure that philanthropy is part of the solution rather than inadvertently contributing to the problem. It also emphasizes the importance of sharing space with frontline communities—those who are most affected by climate change— and educating staff and boards about how climate intersects with their giving. By fostering a deeper understanding of these connections, foundations can integrate climate considerations into all aspects of their work, from governance to grantmaking.
Launched by WINGS and Philea in 2021, the International Commitment has since inspired regional adaptations, such as the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change. This Canadian initiative is a collaborative effort by Philanthropic Foundations Canada, Environment Funders Canada, The Circle on Philanthropy, and Community Foundations of Canada.
The transition to a socially just and ecologically sustainable world presents an opportunity and an imperative for us to invest in building inclusive, local well-being economies that generate long-term community wealth, are regenerative and sustainable, and fundamentally improve the lives of large numbers of people.
Our Canadian Call to Action
By aligning national philanthropic efforts with global climate goals, the Canadian Commitment encourages foundations across Canada to embed climate action into their core missions, recognizing that addressing climate change is not just about environmental stewardship but also about advancing social justice, economic equity, and cultural preservation.
As more foundations sign onto this commitment and integrate climate into their core philanthropic missions, the sector’s impact on advancing climate resilience, fostering sustainable development, and addressing systemic inequities can be significantly scaled up. However, one of the challenges facing community foundations today lies in integrating a holistic climate vision—one that extends beyond traditional environmental action to capture the often overlooked social, economic, and cultural dimensions of sustainability.
The Challenges
Erika notes that many small foundations often face significant capacity constraints, struggling to allocate resources to climate initiatives while balancing competing priorities. The absence of cohesive and compelling narratives around climate change contributes to this challenge by creating a disconnect between the foundation’s mission and the broader climate agenda. Without clear, relatable stories that link their existing work to climate action, these organizations may struggle to see how their efforts fit into the larger picture. This makes it harder for them to recognize their potential impact and feel confident in their ability to contribute meaningfully to climate solutions.
Climate storytelling could play a crucial role in ensuring that all stakeholders, regardless of their focus areas, recognize how their work intersects with climate issues. A cohesive narrative not only illuminates these connections but also empowers organizations to take actionable steps toward integrating climate considerations into their missions. As Erika emphasizes, “you don’t have to be a climate funder to do climate funding or make meaningful climate contributions.” Engaging a diverse range of foundations in this way fosters broader participation in climate conversations.
In addition, many foundations remain entrenched in traditional programmatic areas, which often focus on established priorities like health, education, or economic development. This can make sectoral alignment and systems change a critical component of effective climate philanthropy. Sectoral alignment means that foundations must adapt their existing focus areas to incorporate climate considerations into all aspects of philanthropic work, recognizing that climate change intersects with and affects all sectors. For instance, a foundation that traditionally supports health initiatives could also consider how climate change impacts public health, such as through increased respiratory illnesses due to air pollution or heatwaves. Aligning their work with climate goals helps ensure that their contributions are relevant and impactful in the context of broader environmental challenges.
Meanwhile, systems change philanthropy demands a transformation in how foundations approach their work. This means moving beyond short-term, project-specific goals to address the root causes of climate issues through systemic changes. For example, a systems change approach for funding tree-planting projects might involve supporting policies that reduce deforestation or investing in sustainable land management practices that address the underlying drivers of environmental degradation.
#PhilanthropyForClimate, along with its seven pillars of engagement, offers a structured approach for foundations to evaluate and enhance their philanthropic endeavours through a climate lens. The International Commitment can serve as a conversation starter and a roadmap, providing initial ideas on actions to take under each pillar, while the Canadian Commitment provides hands-on paths forward including an Implementation Guide and success profiles for various organizations through their 1st Year Implementation Report.
These resources showcase many possible routes to implementation and the varying speeds of action depending on where foundations and funders are in their climate action journey such as:
- Getting started (Level 1) in Education by ensuring their staff learn about the history of Canada and colonization today with its many connections to the climate crisis.
- Building momentum (Level 2) in Resources by considering how their grantmaking processes (applications, decisions, reporting) can shift resources and power.
- Demonstrating climate leadership (Level 3) in the Integration pillar by completing an analysis of their existing and future portfolio through a climate lens and then moving on to tackle another pillar at varying levels.
Signatories can take action on many pillars simultaneously through their programmes, operations and investments, or choose to start with only one based on their priorities and available capacity.
Where Do We Go From Here?
This transformation is particularly relevant in Canada, where discussions around donor-advised funds are central. Here, effective storytelling becomes crucial in navigating complex conversations, helping donors understand the critical need for immediate and decisive climate action. By emphasizing the urgency and importance of this issue, philanthropic leaders can foster greater commitment within the sector, making it easier to achieve sectoral alignment and embrace systems change in this realm.
The path forward calls for the philanthropic sector to not only embrace resilience and innovation but also to foster deep collaboration—a cornerstone of the commitment and the global community it convenes. This requires breaking away from traditional approaches and being bold in adopting new ways of thinking and acting.
Sharing knowledge, increasing transparency and building networks will help catalyze a shift towards more systemic climate solutions.
World Economic Forum
The stories of transformation we tell, the dialogues we nurture, and the continuous learning we engage in within the philanthropic community deeply matters, as these efforts will guide us toward a future where all philanthropy is inherently climate-focused.
In the end, the question isn’t just about what we can do for climate philanthropy, but how we can ensure that all philanthropy recognizes and responds to the realities of climate change.
