Philanthropy’s responsibilities in the face of the climate emergency

The philanthropic sector in Spain has come together in a pioneering way, creating a movement to tackle the climate crisis. In a spring marked by the pandemic, #FundacionesporelClima was born to promote urgent systemic change, which can only be achieved if we join forces.

Partnerships to achieve sustainable development are at the heart of the 2030 Agenda and must permeate all structures of society. For this reason, not only public institutions, but also the private sector and civil society must weave inclusive networks that act to curb global warming. This is now more necessary than ever, given the urgency posed by the climate crisis and the serious situation generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spanish foundations, pioneers for the climate

From the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation and the Spanish Association of Foundations (AEF), we have promoted with energy and enthusiasm a Spanish philanthropic coalition: Foundations for the Climate. An open movement, in which we are looking forward to adding as many foundations as possible. All areas of philanthropy – not just those specialized in environmental issues – can be involved in one way or another to implement changes in the different areas of their action and management.

This platform will serve to generate knowledge from the experience and determination of a wide variety of foundations. Dialogue and joint work will allow the exchange of experiences and knowledge, as well as integrating the climate emergency and social justice into projects whatever the field of action to which their founding principles are directed.

This shared journey starts in the footsteps of various organisations at European level, inspired by the invitation received at the General Assembly of the European Foundations Centre to engage together and thus accelerate the green transition. Aware of the urgent action required by climate change and the lack of coordinated actions from the philanthropic sector, several countries have been working in this direction for months. The movement is being rolled out at the European level with a similar project from Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe (DAFNE) in relation to all national philanthropy platforms. In this sense, a clear example of a model to follow is the Funders Commitment on Climate Change pact, promoted by several foundations in the United Kingdom.

Likewise, the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation in France has also promoted a Climate Coalition whose launch is scheduled for this July, under the leadership of the Centre français des Fonds et Fondations (CFF), but with the aim of also bringing together other French philanthropic networks.

The sector is thus beginning to become aware of its role in the fight against global warming, being able to exercise leadership with multiplier effects throughout society. From this point of view, we proposed during the meeting #Demos2019 that Spanish foundations can also be pioneers in the creation of a common platform in our country.

As a result of this first impulse, we see that the climate emergency is a shared concern of foundations from very different sectors. This has made possible the creation of a driving group – made up of 45 foundations – which began its journey on June 4 with an exciting kick-off meeting, prior to which mapping and interviews had been carried out to identify interests, needs and potentialities.

“We realized that this is the time to crystallize efforts, a momentum felt by many organizations,” Isabelle Le Galo, director for Spain of the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation, said at the meeting. It is essential to join forces, create together and that our sector responds forcefully because there is no time, we have 10 years left to make a big turn together“.

Foundations as a catalyst for social change

“The adjustments are no longer enough, what needs to be changed is the system,” said Juan Andrés García, director of Training, Studies and Sectoral Groups of the AEF, during the meeting. It is necessary to commit because “climate change is going to continue after COVID-19, so we have to face it as humanity“. It is precisely this global context of urgency that also opens a window of opportunity to actively address climate change. “During the confinement we have seen the positive effects on the climate and now we must address this other crisis,” added Javier Nadal, president of AEF.

With this approach on the horizon, it is necessary to find cooperative solutions and build inclusive alliances with shared visions and goals, which place people and the planet at the center. Foundations must play an important role in the flow of information between the public and private sectors, to generate social dialogue and improve the lives of all citizens.

Thus, the firm will of this initiative is to inspire other actors and find solutions cooperatively through the exchange of learning. To give shape to this movement, various working groups have been created that are already beginning to be articulated. These teams will work progressively on issues such as raising awareness, divesting from fossil fuels of foundational capital, decarbonising operations, reducing the carbon footprint or adapting resources (human, material, financial…).

In parallel to these thematic nuclei of work, the Climate Foundations platform will carry out a survey of a representative sample of foundations – both affiliated and non-affiliated to the AEF – on issues related to climate change and the current crisis in order to realistically assess the situation of the sector.

As a result of the collaborative work sessions, accompanied by Sense Tribe, the foundations involved will shape a joint manifesto to which all those philanthropic organizations that feel driven in the fight against the climate emergency can continue to join.

Subsequently, a tool kit will be developed, whose objective will be to facilitate the adoption of measures to fight climate change by any foundation interested in taking steps in this direction. Likewise, the results of collective learning will be disseminated, to multiply the fruits of this experience. From there – and with #Demos2020 as a turning point – a 2021 Action Plan will be drawn up that will consolidate the work of Climate Foundations in the future.

A call to leave no one behind

Both at the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation and in the more than 40 foundations that have already joined this initiative, we are aware that change has to come from a combination of different actions that encourage society to mobilize. Only in this way can a sustainable transformation be achieved. From the smallest and most insignificant gestures to measures with a more structural power of transformation, every step is necessary.

With this common cause, we call on foundations that want to join this great challenge, to learn together and offer tools to other organizations. Together, we will be able to reduce the effects of climate change and the inequalities it generates more efficiently. A change in the systemic model is essential that, as is insistently repeated, “leaves no one behind”.

If you want your organization to join #FundacionesporelClima you can write an email to info@fundaciones.org specifying in the subject of the email “Climate Foundations” indicating the name of your foundation, person and contact details. Be part of this pioneering movement of transformation!

#FundacionesporelClima