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Special features


Climate-induced migration and the role of philanthropy

Maxine Burkett 7 June 2016

We are now in a ʻno-analogue’ state according to University of Hawaioceanography professor, Dr Richard Zeebe. In other words, in the documented history of our planet, we have not seen the amount of carbon released …

Pacific Islands on the frontline of climate change

Michael Donoghue 7 June 2016

The Pacific islands are large ocean states that cover over 10 per cent of the global ocean, and include over 33,000 different islands. The people who live on them contribute less than 0.03 per cent …

Global food system absent from Paris Agreement

GRAIN Collective 7 June 2016

The global food system – the processes and infrastructure to feed populations – is one of the main drivers of climate change. Yet the issue is hardly talked about at the climate summits that governments …

A call to foundations: divest now from fossil fuels

Ellen Dorsey, Sian Ferguson and Clara Vondrich 7 June 2016

Climate change amplifies virtually every global challenge – war, migration, drought, disease, food insecurity and poverty. It will transform the arts, culture and education, and shape human progress. Philanthropy faces a historic moment where we …

A call to foundations: engage now

Mark O' Kelly 7 June 2016

To meet the target set by the Paris Agreement, a radical shift in corporate behaviour is needed. Foundations can use their influence to drive this forward working with investment managers and engaging corporations. While particular …

Philanthropy’s role in mobilizing green finance

Mark Campanale and Iancu Daramus 7 June 2016

While a diplomatic triumph, the Paris Agreement must overcome major challenges in its implementation. With the International Energy Agency estimating $15 trillion of investments required to meet the targets agreed, the philanthropic sector can play …

Philanthropists: come on board the (carbon-neutral) train

May Boeve and Bill McKibben 7 June 2016

For years, we in the climate movement struggled to find actions to match the scale of the problem. Changing lightbulbs, more bike riding and less flying were insufficient. Through the fossil fuel divestment movement, we …

Paris: a stop on the journey, not its end

Nnimmo Bassey, Terry Odendahl and Michael Northrop 7 June 2016

We hope that readers of the essays in this issue see renewed commitment, hope and determination about philanthropy and civil society’s role in addressing the profound threat that we face. While each of us brought …

The Syrian crisis: a challenge for philanthropy

Timothy Ogden, Ayesha Saran and Atallah Kuttab 15 March 2016

It is a rare event that captures global philanthropy’s attention. The stream of refugees from Syria is one of them. There is a serious humanitarian crisis under way, and a rapid response is called for.  …

The migrant and refugee crisis

Dilip Ratha 11 March 2016

The world is facing a challenge. The number of people forced to leave their home has reached a record high of 60 million. While the spotlight has been on Europe, more than two-thirds of the …