Climate advocacy banner./PHOTO ;AI
A new report offers a crucial look at philanthropy’s role in tackling the global climate crisis. The “International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change Progress Report 1” shows foundations are stepping up.
They are integrating climate action into their work. This goes from governance to grantmaking. The report, published in April 2025, highlights achievements and challenges.
It urges more action. The climate emergency demands a whole-sector, collaborative approach.
A Growing Movement for Climate Action
Philanthropy for Climate is a global initiative that calls on all foundations to embed climate action regardless of location, size, or mission.
The movement uses a multi-pillar framework. Signatory foundations implement integrated climate action based on their capabilities and priorities.
Seven pillars guide this work:
- Pillar 1: Education and Learning
- Pillar 2: Commitment of Resources
- Pillar 3: Integration
- Pillar 4: Endowments and Assets
- Pillar 5: Operations
- Pillar 6: Influencing and Advocacy
- Pillar 7: Transparency
Today, the movement includes over 895 foundations. They come from more than 20 countries. Philanthropic networks convene them at national and regional levels.
These include regions like the Arab Region, Brazil, Canada, France, Italy, Poland, South Africa, Spain, and the UK. WINGS and Philea lead the International Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change.
Transparency Fuels Progress
Transparency is a core value of the Philanthropy For Climate movement. It enables accountability, learning, and shared progress.
The Transparency pillar requires signatories to report openly. This builds trust and supports learning. It also encourages wider participation.
These actions strengthen the movement’s credibility. They advance climate action.
This first progress report is central to that transparency. It celebrates notable achievements. It also identifies areas for further progress.
The report is based on a survey. It was shared in June 2024. Forty-seven eligible signatories were invited. This included nine Brazilian organizations.
Thirty-eight completed the survey, a 68% response rate.
Significant Gains Reported
The report confirms the Commitment’s impact. Ninety-five percent of responding signatories reported overall progress.
This was since they signed the Commitment. Eighty-eight percent felt the Commitment influenced their awareness and action.
This shows its value as a catalyst. Those new to climate funding showed the most improvement. They sought specialist support and evolved strategies.
Achievements are clear. Climate funding has increased. Sixty-three percent of respondents scaled up programmatic or grant spending.
Twenty percent of the allocated funds will go to climate action for the first time. Ninety percent of respondents engage in climate advocacy.
They use their influence. They amplify the voices of frontline communities. This promotes a just transition. Seventy-seven percent reviewed or designed new programs.
These support climate action and a just transition. Sixty percent are reducing carbon emissions from operations.
Challenges Remain
Despite successes, there is room for advancement. Support is needed to overcome implementation barriers.
Integrating climate into endowments and assets is the biggest challenge. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents reported this as most difficult.
Operations, including reducing emissions from buildings and procurement, are also a hurdle. Fifty-one percent of signatories find this challenging.
Only 23% of signatories saw integration of climate considerations as a primary area for impact. This suggests its potential is underestimated.
Twenty-nine percent of respondents found integration challenging. Large funders struggled with mainstreaming climate across many programs.
They also faced challenges with grantees adapting a climate lens. The report emphasizes a need for greater exploration.
It highlights integrating climate and non-climate issues. Flexible and long-term funding is crucial but often lacking. This is a barrier to integrated climate action.
Pillar-Specific Progress and Insights
Pillar 1: Education and Learning Signatories report good progress. Eighty-six percent made some progress or are at an advanced stage. Learning is a collective effort.
Most engaged staff, board, and grantees. However, only 17% feel confident to raise awareness beyond their ecosystem.
Some foundations, already climate-focused, feel less need for internal education. Yet, continuous learning is vital.
Many are proactively creating learning opportunities. They learn from and provide opportunities for grantees.
Pillar 2: Commitment of Resources Signatories are dedicating more resources. Almost two-thirds increased programmatic or grant spending.
Another 20% allocated funds to climate for the first time. Climate funding is still low compared to the urgent need.
The Commitment is seen as a catalyst for prioritizing climate action. This growth comes from dedicated climate funds. It also stems from diversified and cross-cutting approaches.
The importance of linking climate adaptation and mitigation to climate justice is noted. This pillar is seen as highly impactful.
Most respondents found it not challenging to implement. Learnings can be shared with those who found it difficult.
Pillar 3: Integration Signatories are building momentum. Nearly three-quarters (71%) are reviewing existing programs.
They are designing new ones to address the climate crisis. They also support a just transition. Half (49%) work with partners to identify adaptation and emission reduction needs.
This includes expanding racial diversity in energy transitions. It also involves training Indigenous researchers.
Assessing climate risks to programs and beneficiaries is also part of this. The potential impact of integration may be underestimated. It was rated as the third most challenging area.
Pillar 4: Endowments and Assets Decarbonizing endowments and assets is the most challenging pillar.
Sixty-six percent rated it among the top two most challenging. Sixty percent have taken no action or are just starting.
However, 10% are at an advanced stage. They have learnings to share. Not all foundations have endowments.
Pillar 5: Operations. Sixty percent of surveyed signatories are updating policies. This aims to reduce emissions.
This is often easier for smaller or very large foundations. Some signatories show significant progress.
They have achieved certification against external standards. This area is seen as the second most challenging to implement.
Pillar 6: Influencing and Advocacy The majority (90%) of signatories support climate advocacy. They influence peers and policymakers.
They engage in national and international forums. Approximately half (49%) promote the Philanthropy For Climate movement.
They encourage other funders. Collective action has the potential to increase impact.
Pillar 7: Transparency Signatories are working towards greater transparency. Almost half (47%) have published information on their climate progress.
This is often in annual reports. Some publish blogs on their experiences. Transparency is a shared pillar across all commitments.
The International Commitment team aims to align key indicators across reports. This will lead to a Global Movement Report in 2026.
Recommendations for Future Action
The report provides key recommendations. These focus on integration, progress, and collaboration. Signatories are encouraged to share learnings.
They should strengthen collective action. WINGS and Philea aim to accelerate collaboration. They will provide platforms for shared learning.
They will also support new national or regional commitments.
Recommendations include:
- Using explicit communications to show the Commitment’s importance.
- Building shared learning and capacity support for each pillar. A particular focus is on Integration (Pillar 3) and Endowments and Assets (Pillar 4).
- Convening expertise on endowments and assets. This can be through working groups or seminars.
- Using the network to reach non-climate funders.
- Supporting the climate philanthropy sector to speak with ‘one voice’.
- Supporting new national commitments to grow and diversify climate philanthropy.
- Identifying ways to support greater transparency and sharing of learning from signatories in the Global Majority. This group was underrepresented in the report.
The report is a call for foundations everywhere. They must accelerate and harness the collective power of the Philanthropy For Climate movement.
They must build on the progress achieved. They must lead the philanthropic sector’s response to the climate crisis.
Less than 2% of global philanthropy is directed to climate mitigation. Data on adaptation funding is even scarcer.
This highlights a clear funding gap. Investing in infrastructure and ecosystems supporting this work is crucial.
