The Growing Need for Climate Action in Africa
Climate change has become a critical issue that cuts across all funding focus areas and SDGs in Africa, impacting on all sectors and facets of society. With traditional development funding under pressure, private philanthropy is increasingly stepping in to help fill the gap and drive sustainable impact.
- Launched earlier this year, the South African Climate Philanthropy Pledge is Africa’s first Climate Philanthropy Pledge.
- The initiative recognises the urgent need to respond to climate change as an issue that cuts across all funding focus areas and SDGs, and which is impacting on all sectors and facets of society.
- The pledge is the tenth regional philanthropy pledge to be formalised by the global philanthropic community, seeking ways to better coordinate resources towards more sustainable development outcomes.
A Key Component of Sustainable Development
The Climate Philanthropy Pledge is a blueprint for how the philanthropic community can act collectively across eight focus areas, including:
- Members promoting education on the intersection of climate change with funders’ initiatives
- Integration of climate considerations into funders’ work
- Commitment of resources to climate initiatives
- Responsible investing of endowments and assets
- Responding to the unique positioning of South African reality in relation to the climate agenda
- Promoting advocacy for climate action and transparency
“What we have learned is that as long as climate change is viewed as an external shock, rather than an issue that has to be integrated into everything we do, we will be eroding our development gains in health, food security and education.” — Saliem Fakir, ACF founder and Executive Director
Real-World Applications of the Pledge
Several IPASA members are now integrating a climate lens across their long-standing focus areas, such as education, health, food security, livelihoods and biodiversity.
| Organisation | Project/initiative | Focus area |
|---|---|---|
| The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust | Climate Justice in Education Project | Education |
| The Grindrod Family Centenary Trust | Convening stakeholders to explore the intersection of climate change and early childhood development | Early childhood development |
| The Environmental Justice Fund | Strengthening community-based organisations to respond to climate disasters | Environmental justice |
A Ground-Up Approach to Climate Action
The Environmental Justice Fund is taking a more grassroots approach, focusing on strengthening community-based organisations who they see as the first responders to climate disasters in local communities. They are also exploring indigenous knowledge systems and tapping into how communities have been adapting for centuries to cycles of flood and drought. Alan Wallis of the Ford Foundation emphasizes the need for philanthropy to act as catalytic capital, not merely to fill gaps left by government, but to unlock larger funding streams through innovation and risk-taking.
A Global Perspective on Climate Action
The South African Climate Philanthropy Pledge is not an isolated initiative. It is part of a broader movement of philanthropic organisations working together to address the climate crisis. The pledge is being promoted through various international partnerships, including the European Philanthropy Coalition and the Philanthropy Europe Association. “We are excited by the uptake so far, because it shows how climate change is increasingly being viewed as a critical issue,” says Louise Driver, Executive Director of IPASA. “We’re excited by the willingness of members to unite behind climate action.”
A Time for Collective Action
The Climate Philanthropy Pledge is providing a timely opportunity for independent funders to commit and contribute to climate action in solidarity with others. “The pledge is providing our organisation with a timely opportunity to commit and contribute to climate action in solidarity with others,” says Melanie Spencer of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. “We’re excited to be part of this movement.”
Conclusion
The South African Climate Philanthropy Pledge is a groundbreaking initiative that is bringing together independent funders to address the climate crisis. It is a key component of sustainable development, and its impact will be felt across Africa and beyond. As the philanthropic community continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of society, the pledge is an important step forward in the journey towards a more sustainable future. “Philanthropy should not only address technical challenges but be rooted in the moral imperatives of justice and equity,” says Alan Wallis of the Ford Foundation.
