Scientists call on UK foundations and philanthropists to increase funding for climate issues

Challenge

“Philanthropy’s current commitment to climate change, a small fraction of overall giving, is manifestly inadequate for the task at hand.” – Professor Larry Kramer, Hewlett Foundation, March 2017. The ecological crisis is "desperately under-funded"; less than 3% of philanthropic funding goes towards climate-related issues.

Solution

Highlight the need for the UK’s largest foundations to increase environmental donations, encourage foundations to make a commitment to radically increase environmental investments over the next ten years and share a strong call to action on steps that foundations can take.

Result

The campaign exceeded KPIs by 140%, generating 15 standout features in national, broadcast, green and third sector media, including BBC, BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, The Times, Forbes and Thomas Reuters Foundation. 77% of articles directly quoted key statistics highlighting lack of philanthropic donations to fund climate action.

Impact

The successful launch of the letter prompted response from the Wellcome Trust – the UK’s largest foundation, with £22bn AUM – that the foundation “wanted to expand its work on links between human health and climate”; as well as interest from US climate scientists to replicate in North America.

Media coverage