Embedding Sustainability in Funding Policy and Approaches
As we lead up to the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow and the outcome of the Charitable Commission’s listening exercise on the challenges of responsible investment. The WM Funders Network hosted an event for funders and other stakeholders to share experience and practice in integrating sustainability and climate change issues in addressing positive social change through funding approaches, and their organisational operations.
Jane Cabutti, Environmental Funders Network provided an overview of the purpose and work of the Environmental Funders Network, and the scale of current funding on environmental issues in the UK. Only 3% of funders in the UK fund environmental issues at around £222ml per annum. She shared the important links between sustainability and climate change issues and social issues and how there are important links to the impact of environmental change to social inequalities. The principles embedded in the Funders Commitment to Climate Change framed the discussion on how funders can use an environmental and climate change lens to integrate the link to social issues in funding policy and practice. A copy of her presentation can be found here.
Ian Burrows, Brewin Dolphin Charity Investment reviewed the outcome of the Charitable Commission’s listening exercise on responsible investment, currently on hold as two small charities have taken a case to high court on legal guidance on the power of charities to make the decision on what is in the best interests of the charity when considering investment policy and ethical considerations. Ian also provided some thoughts on what funders and charities can consider now and move from no ethical consideration to a more responsible investment approach. A copy of his presentation can be found here.
Resources:
Acting on the Climate Crisis: Why How and the Role of Philanthropy -A resource pack for funders
NLCF Action on Climate Change Hub
Example of Funder investment policy – Polden Puckham Charitable Trust
Ashden’s Climate Action Co-benefits Toolkit
SENScot has published a Social Enterprise Net Zero Strategy.
Webinar on Climate and Sustainability for funders
Carbon Literacy Project – understanding carbon emissions and its impact
Green Angel Syndicate – specialising in fighting climate change
Healthy Planet Healthy People – link between environment and human health
Hub Hub – Taking action on Climate change. An example from Manchester
