Posts from a range of voices on fostering an effective environmental movement.
2020 is a 'Super Year', a year for bold action on forests, amongst other environmental and social issues. Can funders support NGOs as they hold corporations to account and support forest defenders on the ground?
Keywords: biodiversity, climate change, conservation, deforestation, funding overseas, indigenous peoples
Even within the trickle of climate finance finding its way into forests, most is directed at restoration or forest conservation in places rewarded for coming down from a high deforestation rate baseline. Intact forests are short-changed. But we need to care for these intact ecosystems as well as fight deforestation hotspots, in the same way that a medical system needs both emergency rooms and preventative health programs.
If the people whose ancestral lands comprise the tropical forests of our planet emerge stronger from 2020 onwards, so will the world’s tropical forests. The vast majority of global biodiversity is found on indigenous territories, and these lands hold nearly 55 trillion metric tons of carbon. With key moments approaching in 2020, here are a few areas where concerted effort is needed to challenge power and change the system.
Keywords: biodiversity, deforestation, justice
In an exclusive three-part blog series commissioned by the EFN Forest Funders group, we invite leading campaigners and advocates to look ahead to the 2020 ‘Super Year’ of global policy moments and ask: will forests emerge stronger or weaker out of it?
Keywords: advocacy, biodiversity, climate change, deforestation, effectiveness, funding overseas, restoration
I am excited by the powerful potential of youth to protect our planet. But I also understand that it is not fair to rest the responsibility of fixing the mistakes of older generations, including my own, on the shoulders of today’s young people. That's why, on 20 September, my colleagues from Global Greengrants Fund UK and I will be joining the Global Climate Strike. If you are in London, why not find us and fellow EFN members and march together?
Keywords: advocacy, climate change, grassroots, youth
Over the last 18 months, for the first time in our 500 year history, grant funder Cloudesley chose to get involved in environmental funding. How did we go about it, and what did we learn?
Keywords: climate change
The ability of citizens to organize themselves and redress grievances is under attack in 111 countries around the world. For environmental and conservation funders, these restrictions limit the ability to achieve key program outcomes, whether in wildlife protection, forest conservation, or climate change. We can come together with other funders, governments, and NGOs to address the root causes and manifestations of closing space, to help citizens in their efforts to protect our shared planet.
Keywords: closing space, collaboration, effectiveness, justice
Running a race with one hand tied behind your back reduces your chances of winning. Similarly, running a campaign that only appeals to a fraction of the country will take you longer to succeed. But environmental campaigning in the UK is hampered in its effectiveness because campaigning organisations are not embracing the full diversity of the UK population.
Keywords: communications, diversity, effectiveness
To reduce the disproportionate burden of climate change on the world’s poorest, the transition to a low carbon economy must be fast. Alongside market development, technological advances and political action, climate change litigation can trigger rapid carbon reduction and at the same time, reduce fossil fuel companies’ social license to operate. Philanthropy plays a key role in supporting all manner of climate change litigation, but also in raising awareness about public opinion on climate change responsibility and duty to pay for its impacts. Demonstrating a supportive public is an essential backdrop for legal decisions and increases their chances of success.
Keywords: climate change, litigation, public opinion
Since the MAVA Foundation announced it would close its doors in 2022, its stakeholders have reacted with shock, disbelief, tears, indignation, worry, interest and -- more rarely -- congratulations. Even rarer still is an understanding of the unexpected benefits of closing, of which there are many.
Keywords: conservation, spending-down
If you are interested in contributing a blog post, please contact us.