Giving to the planet, our mother nature, is arguably one of the most ​gratifying acts in recent history. The world is in a polycrisis and climate ​change stands out. We are witnessing increased floods, drought, heat ​waves and a warming planet, threatening humanity at an alarming rate.

Despite these challenges. there is a general feeling that philanthropy has ​not accelerated its action to curb the devastating impact of climate ​change. This lax is brewing preventable climate injustices affecting the ​world’s most vulnerable people, communities, and countries, threatening ​the current and future generations.

On 8-9th August 2024, at Maputo, Mozambique, Global Fund for ​Community Foundations (GFCF) held a #ShiftThePower meeting that ​brought together leaders of community foundations, civil society, and ​climate funds associations from Latin America, Africa and Asia to share ​their views on climate philanthropy. The deliberations and findings gave ​a gloomy picture on climate philanthropy. It was noted that less than 2% ​of philanthropic funding globally is dedicated to climate related issues. ​This is against the increasing poverty and climate change challenges ​affecting the Global South.

In summary, the meeting flagged out three quick ways to ignite climate ​philanthropy. First, we must address climate policy and strategies. ​Second, it is critical to drive practical changes and community actions. ​Third, we must broaden, strengthen, and elevate leadership and capacity ​of civil society and communities to be at forefront of climate action.

Further, it was noted that Global South is bombarded with new climate ​change policies in environment, agriculture and land marketed as ​climate good actions, but deep inside have lethal concoctions of neo-​colonialism, land, and natural resources grab.

New policy changes in agriculture, environment and climate change ​remain suspicious. Unfortunately, some of these policies as being forced ​by the capitalists in the Global North to the chagrin of the majority poor ​in the Global South.

Take for instance, a new policy push to criminalize use of indigenous ​seeds in Kenya and many African countries. Implementation of such laws ​will lead to loss of food sovereignty, biodiversity, and increased ​malnutrition in already food stressed communities. It means that drought ​resistance crops, cereals and legumes that can cope with intense heats ​and long droughts will not be produced in Africa. If such laws are ​implemented nutritious green leafy vegetables which are full of vitamins ​will disappear from Africa food tables. Further, collection and ​propagation of indigenous tree seeds will be criminalized further ​suppressing the afforestation drives.

"According to Seed and Plant varieties Act Cap 326 of 2012, any person ​found sharing, exchanging, selling, producing and multiplying uncertified ​seeds is liable to a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to ​KES 1,000,000 (7,692 USD) or both."

Jonathan Kifunda, Executive Director of Thubutu Africa Initiative noted ​that it is unfortunate that the deep epistemology of climate change and ​its impact on humanity is taken casually by the emerging philanthropy ​heavy weights who have embraced the failed traditional aid models. It ​seems that the new climate philanthropy is not learning from the past. It ​is being accused of pushing neo-colonialism, exclusion, and ​marginalization of communities. Another circus of aid injustice is being ​cultivated.

Why climate philanthropy matters

Jenny Hodgson, the Executive Director of Global Fund for Community ​Foundations (GFCF) noted that the majority in the Global South faces ​the dire consequences of climate change – extreme drought, heat ​waves, killer floods, and invasive species, and yet less than 2% of climate ​philanthropy funding goes to organizations based in the Global South. ​She added that it was unfortunate that failed aid models are still being ​used for climate philanthropy. She called for strengthening of Climate ​Funding movement in the Global South to address emerging policy and ​climate justice issues.

“It is time for philanthropy to awaken the soul of justice within itself, ​channelling its resources and influence to dismantle the systems of ​oppression that have plagued indigenous people for centuries,” said ​Nana Kwesi Osi of Land Rights Defenders in an online interview.

New responsive climate philanthropy should be more than a band-aid on ​a gaping wound. Climate philanthropy should be advanced as a ​transformative catalyst for a paradigm shift that recognizes the unique ​powers, resources and inherent rights of people and communities. Time ​for climate philanthropy to invest more in communities is now.

Climate Works Foundation emphasis that climate philanthropy helps ​chart a more sustainable future by connecting businesses, ​environmental groups, researchers, and governments to leverage the ​power of collective action. More than 90 countries have set net-zero ​targets, so funding the tools and capacity to implement these climate ​commitments is paramount.

“Climate philanthropy allows us to move faster and more ambitiously to ​support these climate solutions and, in turn, support the people and ​natural ecosystems disproportionately impacted by a warming world,” ​adds Climate Works Foundation.

Indeed, philanthropy can increase climate financing, offer agile ​innovative solutions, drive change, and amplify community voices on ​climate injustices.

This can be done by quickly and efficiently mobilising capital, bridge ​funding gaps and lift people, communities to frontline of climate action.

Although in a small scale, local businesses and philanthropies are ​beginning to design long term commitments to address the challenges ​of climate change. For instance, I&M Foundation and KCDF supports ​Nguzo Africa to undertake environmental conservation, landscapes ​restoration and tree growing activities is schools, farms and public ​spaces in Narok county, Kenya. This is the starting point to educate and ​persuade other emerging Africa corporates, business leaders and ​individuals to invest in climate philanthropy and tackle the climate crisis.

Here are the three Quick ways to ignite Climate Philanthropy

According to Dalberg’s findings on the report, Opportunities for Climate ​Philanthropy Engagement in Africa, Philanthropies can prioritize the ​following areas. The priority sector being considered are urbanization, ​electrification, industrialization, and land use change.

1. Opportunities for philanthropy to shape these transformations ​at a systems level. This includes supporting planning, development ​of policies and leadership development in each of the sectors. This ​will include empowering civil society leaders in environment justice ​to monitor and track policies and international funding commitments. ​For instance, on land use change, philanthropies can support in ​support empowering communities to meaningful participate in the ​development of integrated policies/plans for land use and ​restoration.
2. Sector-specific opportunities for philanthropy to drive ​change. Philanthropies can help to advance electric mobilities for ​marginalized communities in urban and rural areas. Expand use of ​renewable energy. Promote low-carbon manufacturing. Strengthen ​forest protection, afforestation, and landscapes restoration.
3. Cross-cutting opportunities for philanthropy. Philanthropies can ​support community groups to strengthen data and analytic systems ​and platforms. Support to broaden, strengthen, and elevate ​leadership and capacity of civil society and communities to be at the ​forefront of climate action. Support accelerating low-carbon ​development plans and pathways in Global South.

7 Key guiding principles for Climate Change philanthropies

1. Aligning with and promoting existing national priorities will be more ​successful than opposing specific agendas or development ​narratives.
2. Advancing agendas with positive development outcomes (including ​adaptation) in addition to mitigation benefits will be better received ​among most stakeholders than focusing on mitigation alone.
3. Working and funding direct with community partners with a strong ​local presence is important for climate philanthropies that are newly ​or lightly engaged in Africa, Latin America and Asia to build ​credibility.
   
4. Collaborating with the private sector is critical, given that such ​collaboration is highlighted as a priority across national climate ​action plans and the SDGs.
   
5. Focusing on supporting implementation over policy development ​may be more impactful given some degree of “policy fatigue” across ​African countries. We must track and flag out negative policies.
   
6. Taking a systems approach is more likely to add value given the large ​number of bilateral and multilateral donors and Development ​Finance Institutions (DFIs) active across the continent.
   
7. Working to complement existing efforts from government, NGOs, ​corporates, and/or development finance institutions and donors who ​are active across many sectors and sub-sectors.
   

Conclusion

Despite perceived power imbalances, leaders and organisations in the ​Global South are writing new narratives and affirming their commitment, ​legitimacy, and power to push for increased funding to support genuine ​community-driven climate philanthropy. These groups are challenging ​the status quo of traditional aid practices that is characterize by ​domination and exclusion. Climate change philanthropy should listen ​and set deliberate efforts to reach out and support growing demand for ​community-driven climate actions.

The Author, Elizaphan Ogechi, is the Executive Director, Nguzo Africa. He ​is ShiftThePower fellow with the Global Fund for Community ​Foundations (GFCFs).

“Climate philanthropy allows us to move faster and ​more ambitiously to support these climate solutions ​and, in turn, support the people and natural ​ecosystems disproportionately impacted by a ​warming world,” adds Climate Works Foundation.

© Nguzo ​Africa

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Nguzo Africa is an innovative community foundation ​committed to just, resilient, and prosperous ​communities. Our mission is to empower people, ​create economic opportunities and transform ​communities for prosperity of current and future ​generations.

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