Climate pledge for individual philanthropists launches
Melanie May | 5 November 2021 | News
The Individual Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change is described as the world’s first pledge supporting private donors to commit resources and other actions to combat climate change.
Launched by the Beacon Collaborative and the Environmental Funders Network during the COP26 conference, it is also backed by the Association of Charitable Foundations, which hosts the UK Funder Commitment on Climate Change, aimed at institutional trusts and foundations.
While the UK Funder Commitment on Climate Change now has 75 signatories and has been followed by similar commitments in France, Spain, Italy and Canada with an international version being launched during COP26, these initiatives have so far not included individual donors and philanthropists.
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The Individual Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change is looking to change this, and is aiming for at least 200 signatories by November 2022’s COP summit.
The Commitment has 7 elements in its pledge, focused on:
1. Education and learning
2. Commitment of resources
3. Alignment with other activities
4. Investment Strategy
5. Lifestyle Choices
6. Influencing and advocacy
7. Transparency on progress
Commenting on the launch Cath Dovey, co-founder of the Beacon Collaborative, said:
“Individual donors and philanthropists demonstrated their deep commitment to the causes they support through the pandemic. They also want to step up to the plate on climate change. The Individual Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change is a framework for action that will help dedicated private donors and philanthropists stand shoulder-to-shoulder with professional grantmakers to support a positive transition to a net-zero world.”
Jane Cabutti, Growing Philanthropy Director at the Environment Funders Network, added:
“Donors – and the charities they support – are already having a transformative effect in reducing emissions and helping adaptation to climate change, but it will take a rapid scaling of collective action to create the step-change we need to see. Climate change will affect every cause that donors care about, and every donor can have an impact in tackling climate change, through many aspects of their lives in addition to their philanthropy. The Individual Philanthropy Commitment provides a roadmap for action, as well as the support of a like-minded community. Please join us!”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.