We have joined a 19-strong group of NGOs who have signed a Funder Commitment on climate change. The commitment recognises that the growing climate emergency is a serious risk to the pursuit of charitable goals and that funders have a responsibility to ensure they are managing and distributing resources in a way that recognises and responds to this threat.
The signatories include not just environmental funders, but also those focused on local communities, the arts, and poverty.
The pledges include:
- Educate and learn – make opportunities for trustees, staff and stakeholders to learn more about key causes of and the solutions for climate change
- Commit resources – accelerate work that addresses the causes and impacts of climate change
- Integrate – seek opportunities to contribute to a fair and lasting transition to a post-carbon society, and support adaptation to climate change impacts
- Steward our investments for a post-carbon future –address the risks and opportunities of moving to a post-carbon society, recognising climate change as a high-level risk to our investments
- Decarbonise our operations – take ambitious action to minimise the carbon footprint of our operations
- Report on progress – report annually on our progress against the five goals listed above, whilst continuing to develop practice, to learn from others and to share our learning
Power to Change joins a list of signatories which so far includes: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation; Solberga Foundation; Gower St; Frederick Mulder Foundation; Paul Hamlyn Foundation; Zennström Philanthropies; JA Clark Trust; Friends Provident Foundation; Local Trust; Lankelly Chase Foundation; Arcadia (a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin); Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust; Thirty Percy; The Blagrave Trust; Heathrow Community Trust; David Brownlow Charitable Foundation; Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation; World Habitat; Kreitman Foundation; Sir Walter St John’s Educational Charity; Global Greengrants Fund UK; MCS Charitable Foundation; The Samworth Foundation; John Ellerman Foundation; Bulb Foundation; Hagan Family Foundation; Network for Social Change Charitable Trust; and the Taurus Foundation.
The Funder Commitment on Climate Change was launched at the annual conference of the Association of Charitable Foundations, the trade body for UK charity funders, where climate change is a key theme. Current signatories are calling for other funders to join them in pledging their support.
Nick Perks, co-ordinator of the Funder Commitment, says that support for this initiative has been strong. “Like the British public as a whole, people in charity funders want to see bold, positive action on climate change. This Funder Commitment gives a framework for all funders, whatever their mission, to play their part. We hope that many more funders will sign up in the coming months.”
For further information or to add your organisation to the Funder Commitment on Climate Change visit fundercommitmentclimatechange.org.uk
About Power to Change
Power to Change is the independent trust that supports community businesses in England.
Community businesses are locally rooted, community-led, trade for community benefit and make life better for local people. The sector owns assets worth £890m, and comprises 9,000 community businesses across England who employ 33,600 people. (Source: Community Business Market 2019)
From pubs to libraries; shops to bakeries; swimming pools to solar farms; community businesses are creating great products and services, providing employment and training and transforming lives. Power to Change received its endowment from the National Lottery Community Fund in 2015.
www.powertochange.org.uk @peoplesbiz
For more information please contact: Alex Valk 07384 812777 alexv@www.powertochange.org.uk
About The National Lottery Community Fund
We are the largest community funder in the UK – we’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Since June 2004, we have made over 200,000 grants and awarded over £9 billion to projects that have benefited millions of people.
We are passionate about funding great ideas that matter to communities and make a difference to people’s lives. At the heart of everything we do is the belief that when people are in the lead, communities thrive. Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.