Arab philanthropy has pledged to take action on climate injustice by signing the Arab Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (APCCC), which launched today at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Commitment was launched by the Arab Foundations Forum (AFF) in collaboration with the global Philanthropy For Climate movement, with support from WINGS and the Ford Foundation. AFF hopes that the Commitment will be a critical step towards addressing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of climate change from a uniquely Arab perspective. As the movement’s first-ever regional commitment, it is designed to mobilise philanthropic resources, foster regional cooperation, and drive climate action throughout the Arab world, which is disproportionately vulnerable to climate impacts.

‘The Arab region is warming nearly twice as fast as the global average, and low-income countries are particularly affected by the dire effects – including desertification, flooding, displacement, and hunger,’ said Naila Farouky, AFF CEO. ‘This Commitment showcases the power of collaboration between organisations as they come together in a strong Arab coalition to work towards a sustainable, low-carbon future that is fair and inclusive.’

The Commitment is made up of seven pillars: Education and Empowerment, Commitment of Resources, Integration, Endowments and Assets, Operations, Advocacy and Policy Change, and Transparency and Accountability. It takes into account region-wide characteristics – such as Awqaf, the long-standing practice of faith-based institutionalised giving – while also acknowledging the Arab world is made up of countries that each have their own cultural, economic, and sociopolitical circumstances. The APCCC encourages organisations to implement the pillars in whatever way they can based on their capacity and resources.

With this Commitment, the Arab region joins a growing group of networks in the Philanthropy For Climate movement, including those based in Brazil, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Together, they are catalysing long-term, just, and equitable philanthropic action on climate change around the world, with over 800 foundations already committed globally. The first three signatories to the Arab Commitment are the King Hussein Foundation, the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD), and Greenpeace MENA.

‘As an evidence-based philanthropic organisation that seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty and empower agents of change, we are gravely concerned about the effects of extreme weather, resource scarcity, and the rising vulnerability to hostile environmental conditions affecting communities we serve,’ said Laila Hosni, Executive Director of SFSD.

This launch of the Arab Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change and its pillars is the first phase in developing a comprehensive framework to help organisations across the region integrate climate action into their work. The Working Group will now turn to developing an Implementation Guide focused on the Arab region, with the aim of launching that document at COP30 in Brazil. The guide will outline suggested actions that organisations can take based on the seven pillars, inspiring and supporting each signatory on their climate journey.

‘It’s been a long road so far, but there is more work to be done,’ said AFF’s Deputy Director, Walid Nagi. ‘We encourage all Arab philanthropic organisations to sign the Commitment and start making changes that will help tackle climate injustice. Climate change is one of the most urgent problems facing the region today. We can combat it sustainably and fairly, but only if we do it together.’

Elika Roohi is digital editor at Alliance magazine, where she leads the ClimatePhilanthropy2030 project.