WM FUNDERS EMBEDDING A SUSTAINABILITY LENS

Over a year ago WM Funders Network held its 2-day online Annual Conference on Funder responding to Sustainability and Tackling Climate Change. The feedback from the sessions were positive and constructive. Many funders that attended were on a journey to strengthening their sustainability approach and looking at their current strategy and practices in how to embed a sustainability lens to their work. We invited funders that attended to share their progress and provide an update on where they are in that journey, hosted by Investec at their office.

It was also an opportunity to hear the outcome of an ACF annual survey reviewing progress of over 100 signatories to the Funders Commitment to Climate Change; progress of members and others against the 5 climate change pillars; any tools used that were effective in moving forward and learning from what is working. A copy of the presentation by Rachel Heydecker, Senior Policy and Engagement Officer, ACF provided can be found here.

Rachel shared examples of funders practice in embedding a sustainability lens to their work. There is not a need to establish a specific environmental or tackling climate change funding programme. If small or larger funders are considering where to start their journey, or improve their journey, there is a lot to be taken from the full survey report on how funders can progress their approach on using a sustainability lens in their work and operations. The full report can be found here.

Some simple examples against 5 of the pillars were shared that funders were already undertaking:

·       Learn and educate: identifying a trustee to lead on sustainability and climate change that will raise awareness, identify educational/training opportunities and resources to support trustees’ journey.

·       Commit resources: supporting grantees to minimise the environmental impact of refurbishments.

·       Integrate a sustainability agenda into funding work and operations: including a question on sustainability in the grant assessment process.

·       Steward investments for a post-carbon future: reviewing and changing the terms of reference for the investment committee.

·       Decarbonise funder’s operations: undertake a full environmental audit.

More information on the Funder Commitment on Climate Change can be found online here and the year 3 report which I presented is here. To sign up there is a simple form and if you want to find out more, please contact Rachel Heydecker at rachelh@acf.org.uk.

Some additional resources mentioned in the discussion can be found below.

• NPC’s Everyone’s Environment Programme which has looked at how the climate and nature crises will impact young people, people from ethnic minority communities and older and disabled people. 

• Foundation Scotland have produced guidance on designing projects for people and planet which shows how they encourage grant applicants to take a climate lens to their projects. They have also published their environmental policy here. 

• Going Greener Together by VONNE and SCVO’s Growing Climate Confidence highlight steps organisations can take around a range of areas to move towards net zero

• The SCVO tools also includes a net zero scorecard with some simple questions to offer recommended actions (not a carbon footprint exercise but a useful introduction)

• Environmental Funders Network resource pack for funders on why and how to act on the climate crisis, and includes lots of links to information about intersections between climate change and other social issues.  

In addition to the review on progress being made by funders, the meeting took the opportunity to hear the outcome of a recent court case (Butler-Sloss and others V Charity Commission and another) this year on responsible investment. With updated guidance now expected from the Charity Commission shortly, legal expert, Charlotte Nutt/ Shivaji Shiva, VWV shared what this means for your Charity and your existing approach to investment policy. A copy of Charlotte’s presentation can be found here.

In response to the outcome of the case, the event will explore and discuss different ways of investing responsibly and sustainably. Tatyana Mursalimov, PMCL Consulting shared her thoughts on potential impact of the outcome of the case on best practice and what other charities have been doing. Whether around the traditional exclusionary approach, or engagement with their investments or incorporating environmental, social and governance factors to be more impact focused, Tatyana would be happy to follow up any further questions or information:  tatyana.mursalimov@pmclconsulting.com.