Foundations across the UK feel that they have made progress in understanding how they can commit resources towards tackling climate change. 

That’s according to findings outlined a progress report published by The Association of Charitable Foundations, which details actions taken by UK-based signatories to better integrate climate across their programmes, operations and investments under the framework of the Funder Commitment on Climate Change (FCCC).  

The framework was first launched in 2019 to offer a framework for foundations to identify actions they could take in mitigating climate change.  

The report lists a number of charities and foundations linking climate and the environment into their strategy, including the BBC’s Children In Need a new five year strategy that sets out climate justice and sustainability within its mission. Taking on climate change is a key part of the Quartet Community Foundation’s new strategy, while the Friend’s Provident Foundation latest programme strategy includes decarbonising work as one of the four pillars for a sustainable economy.  

Sussex Community Foundation, OVO Foundation and Inspiring Scotland were also listed as signatories of the FCCC that have included climate considerations in their funding and grant-making strategies.  

Foundations are also increasingly supporting communities and charities with funding for activities that mitigate the cost-of-living crisis, alongside the climate crisis.  

Bath and West Community Energy provided slow cooker recipe books and heated blankets. The Robertson Trust funded energy advice services helping to address communities suffering from fuel poverty, while Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation has funded 20 organisations engaging marginalised communities with the climate. 

The report adds that 2023 has seen a rise in the number of foundations signing other commitments on climate, both in the UK and abroad. 

Speaking to Alliance magazine, ACF’s chief executive Carol Mack said she felt “positive” with the progress made, particularly with “lots of foundations that are not environmental funders… making progress on all aspects of the [FCCC] pledge”. 

“Foundations are able to make those links [between climate and their own issues]. They are long term funders and so you can understand why for a foundation, that tends to be there for the long term, climate is one of the key drivers in their environment in the near future.” 

She added that “bandwith” posed as a barrier.  

“Given that foundations tend to have a small number of staff, where do you start in terms of linking something like the climate crisis to your workers? It can be difficult to make an existential crisis and your activity as a funder. That really was the inspiration for that pledge,” said Mack. 

Shafi Musaddique is a news editor at Alliance magazine.