How funders can make conservation more effective
Whatever the scale, and wherever the location, most of our funding could be better spent if we ensure the work being proposed is based on reliable evidence, whether that be from academic literature, from centuries (or millennia) of local understanding, or from other sources. Funders can be instrumental in encouraging applicants to check the available evidence for the actions they are proposing, to ensure they have the best chance of success.
What does addressing root causes look like?
Why is ‘new economy’ work relevant to environmental philanthropy? Reflections on how can funders support work to redesign the economic system to be life-supporting, not life-eroding.
The power of good governance in stopping the climate crisis: Six actions philanthropy must embrace in 2022
In 2019/2020, climate finance amounted to US$632 billion globally. Yet, about 30-40% of climate funding was probably spent inefficiently or stolen because of corruption – considering that at least 30% of development aid is lost to corruption. Philanthropy can and must play a crucial role and act now to help stop the leaky pipeline of climate funding. Building on comprehensive analysis and research over the past ten years, here are six concrete and tangible actions for funders to take in 2022.
Action for nature must be informed by science and knowledge or we risk wasting precious time and money
Applied research ensures that actions to combat global challenges such as biodiversity loss are effective, resources are used efficiently, and outcomes for nature and people are understood and sustained. But government funding for such research is being reduced, just when we need it most.
What does a good food system look like? (Says who?)
Summary of Dr Garnett’s presentation at the EFN Retreat. Most people agree that our food system is broken, but views on what constitutes a good food system are wildly divergent. Tara sketched out four different sustainable food discourses, the arguments they make, and the questions they leave unanswered.
EFN 2021 Retreat Keynote Talk
How can funders use the tools we have — our power, privileges and positions — to tackle those things that are most systemic? How can we support climate action that is truly intersectional, supporting both nature and people, and inclusive of everyone? Farhana put forward various suggestions in her keynote talk at EFN’s annual retreat.
Into the Fourth Dimension: Funding with a ‘discourses’ lens in mind
When thinking about how to focus their environmental giving, funders often think about three dimensions of work they can support: the thematic issue addressed, the approach used and the location or geography of the work. Jon and Harriet argue that funders tend to inhabit a fourth dimension, values (or discourses), which consciously or not bound the limits of their giving.
Building an Effective Coalition for Radical Climate Action in the UK
Notes from Steven Smith’s presentation on his hugely useful research on climate-focused organisations, followed by a discussion with Steven and his collaborator and advisor Ian Christie, at the 2021 EFN Retreat. One of the most significant insights produced by the research is the observation of the dominance of the coalition of organisations who believe that the best strategy for addressing the climate crisis involves a technological, growth-led transition to net zero by 2050. This, Steve argues, is politically viable — but ecologically unviable.
EFN Retreat 2021: What if 2030 has to be the new 2050?
The speakers who gave the four presentations at EFN’s 2021 retreat were so brilliant and thought-provoking that we felt we would be remiss if we didn’t share notes from them more widely. Read about who spoke, and what they spoke about, and click through to read the full notes.Featured publication
