We drive innovation and climate solutions that scale.
Through our portfolio of global and transnational climate strategies and grantmaking, we help funders maximize their philanthropic impact.
Adaptation & Resilience
Adapting to climate impacts and building resilience amid a rapidly changing environment is no longer optional. It is essential to save lives and secure a stable, prosperous future.
Aviation
While aviation emissions are projected to grow in the next few decades, there are opportunities now to lower emissions by shifting to sustainable aviation fuels and reducing demand.
Cooling
The cooling sector requires transformative changes to sustainably provide people with access to the cooling they need in a rapidly warming world.
Carbon Dioxide Removal
Along with reducing future greenhouse gas emissions, we must also remove existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change and meet global climate goals.
Food & Agriculture
By reducing food waste and using smarter farming methods, we can cut emissions, nourish healthy communities, and strengthen economies.
Forests & Land Use
Forests act as Earth’s lungs, absorbing CO2. Land use choices, like reducing deforestation, can help mitigate climate change by protecting these vital carbon stores.
Industry
The industrial sector is a major source of climate pollution. Decarbonization is crucial to meeting global climate goals and creating a healthier planet.
Just Transition
The transition to a low-carbon economy can only be swift and effective with the meaningful participation of communities impacted by the transition.
Maritime Shipping
Local communities, NGOs, policymakers, and businesses are transforming the maritime shipping sector toward a carbon-free future.
Power
Ditching dirty fuels for renewable power reduces climate pollution, supports communities and economies, and paves the way for a cleaner, healthier future.
Road Transportation
Decarbonizing road transportation cuts climate pollution, improves air quality and public health, and is crucial for a thriving planet.
Sustainable Finance
Sustainable finance redirects investments to fight climate change and makes investing in climate solutions more attractive and accessible.
Geographic expertise
In addition to our program leadership, we also provide funders with expertise to help design and implement grantmaking strategies that drive climate progress. By harnessing our global networks and philanthropic infrastructure, we also help funders and other partners in the climate philanthropy ecosystem to connect, share knowledge, and advance solutions together.
China and India
We work with partner foundations in the U.S. and Europe that are interested in China and India by providing timely and context-specific advice, analysis, and recommendations on innovative climate solutions. We help develop joint ideas and strategies, identify local partners, and also actively engage with governments, the local philanthropic community, and civil society to share international experiences and best practices in mitigating climate change.
Our commitments to grantees
ClimateWorks recognizes the valuable work, expertise, and efforts of our grantees and implementing partners and their partnership with us. We know that a critical piece of solving the climate crisis is building just and equitable partnerships with a wide range of people and organizations around the world. We respect grantees’ time, capacity, and expertise and strive to minimize burdens associated with receiving grant funding.
We strive for ClimateWorks grantees to experience:
Strong and positive relationships: ClimateWorks staff cultivate open communications with grantees and foster relationships where grantees feel that they are in partnership with ClimateWorks and safe to discuss challenges.
Responsiveness: Grantees have clarity on relevant ClimateWorks staff to contact and receive proactive communication and timely responses. Grantees can expect acknowledgment of any messages within 72 working hours.
Clear expectations: Grantees receive requirements related to their grant and relevant updates throughout the grant process. Grantees are also given context for requests, and ClimateWorks is transparent about how we use grantee materials.
Respect: Grantees feel respected and treated as essential partners. They understand ClimateWorks’ intentions and trust that staff are upfront and honest with them. Grantees also have confidence that ClimateWorks staff will adapt in response to continuous learning.
Funding of true costs: Grantees feel assured that ClimateWorks applies a consistent approach to covering the full costs of work undertaken in partnership with ClimateWorks. ClimateWorks staff aim to understand and eliminate additional financial burdens that arise from receiving a ClimateWorks grant.
Value beyond the grant: We hope that grantees benefit from their relationship with ClimateWorks beyond receiving financial support. In addition to funds to support their work, when possible, grantees will also have access to non-monetary support, such as activities and relationships that ClimateWorks facilitates.
Living up to these commitments
Delivering on our commitments to grantees is an ongoing effort. ClimateWorks continually evaluates and updates our policies and practices based on ongoing learning and feedback. Review insights from ClimateWorks’ 2024 Grantee Perception Report.
To provide input, ClimateWorks welcomes feedback from our grantees through direct conversations, by emailing GranteeFeedback@ClimateWorks.org, and by using this anonymous form.