Climate Change

The Challenge

Climate patterns play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems on which human economies and cultures of the world depend. These patterns are being negatively affected as increasing levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the global economy influence natural climatic and oceanic systems.
 
Climate change is a pressing issue – one that has implications in all the other areas where we work. The concern is that the inherent ability of climatic and oceanic systems to function normally is being compromised and will be less efficient in providing essential ecological goods and services that sustain the conditions for life. Ultimately, this will impact the lives of the poorest people in the world.

Where we fund

In the Climate Change Programme, we fund organisations working in the United States, Canada, Europe, Brazil, China and India. Please see examples of our grants in the Grant Database.

Priority Areas

We have two main goals:

• that global GHG emissions peak by 2020; and
• that greenhouse gas emissions from the power and transportation sectors are reduced by 2030 to levels consistent with the latest scientific recommendations for climate stabilisation.

• stabilise and curb GHG emissions internationally;
• reduce emissions from the power and transport sectors by increasing energy efficiency by fostering a massive uptake of renewable energy sources and avoiding carbon intensive infrastructure;
• reduce GHG emissions from vehicles by transforming patterns of mobility and infrastructure and ensuring a massive uptake of fuel efficiency standards; and
• reduce sources of pollution that aggravate Arctic warming.