Climate change represents a critical challenge to humanity. While there are still some that contest this fact, most of the world accepts that we must act now to reduce the worst impacts of climate change on society.

While climate-focused philanthropy has increased significantly in recent years, it is still insufficient relative to the size and urgency of the challenge. Less than two percent of global philanthropy is focused on climate-related giving. In a recent survey, 85 percent of all U.S. foundation funders stated that climate change was a top three issue, but only about a third reported they were “open to considering funding efforts” to address climate change.

The goal of this report is to inspire more philanthropists to act. The report provides tools, case studies, and encouragement to help existing and potential climate philanthropists overcome barriers to action.

The report begins by reviewing the full scope of tools available to climate funders, including donations, investments, grantee engagement, and external advocacy. We then offer a taxonomy of climate funders that is based, among other things, on how these tools can be used. The report describes five different climate funder archetypes that are complemented by profiles of actual philanthropic organizations and leaders. These case studies are designed to illustrate different pathways that funders can consider in their own climate journey. The five archetypes include:

  • Climate Explorer
  • Climate Lens Applier
  • Climate Philanthropy Leader
  • Investment-Led Philanthropist
  • Climate Action Integrator

Read the full article about climate philanthropy at Aspen Institute.