1.5°Climate Pledge

According to the latest IPCC assessment report, we need to dramatically accelerate efforts over the next few years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, otherwise the pathways to limit global warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be closed for us. We need to deploy private and public capital to speed up the transition from a fossil fuel dependent global economy to a carbon neutral, clean economy. We need philanthropic giving to educate and inform the public, build a clean energy policy environment, create markets for low-carbon technologies, catalyze R&D for decarbonization solutions, assist in the rapid transition in developing countries, and protect environmental and climate justice along the way.

However, the philanthropic community allocates less than two percent of its grants to climate change mitigation. Let’s take private foundations as an example. On average, they give out 7-8% of their net assets annually. Two percent of that would be a mere 0.15% of their net assets. Considering the dire consequences of climate change and its ramifications on healthcare, equity, food security, peace and almost all other philanthropic priorities, 0.15% is an unconscionably small percentage. We need to increase it by an order of magnitude.

From polar bears in the north to penguins in the south and the floods and droughts that concern us all – Greta Thunberg is right — “Our house is on fire.” Habitat loss and fragile ecosystems around the world are real, and their peril is here now. Step up to the biggest challenge of our time, sign the 1.5°Climate Pledge and make the investments needed today to avoid catastrophic climate change and protect our living planet for generations to come.