New report shows how funders are rising to the challenge of the climate crisis 

4 July 2023

The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) has today (Tuesday) published the third annual progress report on how signatories of the UK’s Funder Commitment on Climate Change (FCCC) are delivering on their commitments. 

Based on a survey of nearly 100 foundations and grant-makers, the report shows the progress that signatories have made over the last year. It reveals the most progress has been made by signatories on committing resources to accelerate work that addresses the causes and impacts of climate change, and on education and learning about climate change.  

During a time of rising costs, foundations are committing resources through funding programmes which tackle the cost of living crisis with an environmental emphasis, such as energy efficiency measures, domestic home retrofitting, and activities to reduce food waste and redistributing surplus food.

The high response rate to this year’s survey (81% of signatories) demonstrates that taking steps to address the climate crisis remains a priority for foundations in the UK and that most signatories are committed to reporting on the actions they are taking. 

The FCCC is a high-level framework to help foundations consider the ways that they can use their resources and independence to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis. It consists of six areas of action for foundations to play their part in tackling the causes and impact of climate change, from education and learning to decarbonising operations and action on investments.  

The report outlines the wide variety of actions foundations and grant-makers are taking around climate. From staff attending training courses and foundations learning from their grantees to more informal ways of sharing information such as climate focused book clubs, 78% of responding signatories are making progress or at an advanced stage around education and learning. 

Over a third of signatories to the FCCC have an annual grant expenditure of under £1m, and organisations range from family and community foundations to corporate foundations and independent foundations, demonstrating that all funders, regardless of size, type, or mission can take action on climate. 

Commenting on the report, ACF’s chief executive Carol Mack OBE said: 

“The Funder Commitment on Climate Change is for all funders, whether they fund environmental causes or not. With over 100 foundations and grant-makers signed up to the Funder Commitment on Climate Change, it’s great to see how funders are putting their commitment into action through this new report. 

“I hope that the progress report provides inspiration and motivation to funders taking their first or next steps to integrate climate considerations into their work. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of the challenge, but the Funder Commitment provides a framework to help guide action, whatever a foundation’s mission. As our new report shows, foundations have a vital role to play in tackling the climate crisis.”