activities · 38
what they do
advocacy · 9
- Advancing global aviation decarbonization policy Zero-Carbon Transport CorridorsContributed to policy victories in Europe, the U.S., and the International Civil Aviation Organization to support the global decarbonization of aviation, including promoting the scaling of e-SAF (electrofuels for sustainable aviation fuel) adoption.
- Advancing global aviation decarbonization policy Zero-Carbon Transport CorridorsContributed to policy victories in Europe, the U.S., and the International Civil Aviation Organization to support the global decarbonization of aviation, including advancing the adoption of e-SAF (electrofuels for sustainable aviation fuel) in Europe and the United States.
- Advancing global aviation decarbonization policy Zero-Carbon Transport CorridorsContributed to policy wins in Europe, the U.S., and the International Civil Aviation Organization to support the global decarbonization of aviation, including promoting the scaling of electrofuels for sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) adoption.
- Advancing maritime shipping decarbonization globally Zero-Carbon Transport CorridorsImplements maritime shipping decarbonization initiatives across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, including collaboration to establish the first international zero-carbon shipping routes.
- Advocating for low-carbon procurement policies Industrial & Infrastructure Decarbonization Policy AdvocacySupported the passage of California's 2017 Buy Clean Act, which mandates state agencies to consider embedded carbon emissions in procurement decisions for steel and cement in state-funded infrastructure projects.
- Decarbonizing global maritime shipping Zero-Carbon Transport CorridorsImplements maritime shipping decarbonization initiatives across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, including collaboration to establish the first international zero-carbon shipping routes.
- Supporting climate policy in U.S. procurement Industrial & Infrastructure Decarbonization Policy AdvocacyPlayed a key role in supporting the passage of California's 2017 Buy Clean Act, which requires state agencies to consider embedded carbon emissions when procuring steel and cement for infrastructure projects.
- Supporting climate policy in U.S. state procurement Industrial & Infrastructure Decarbonization Policy AdvocacyPlayed a pivotal role in supporting the passage of California's 2017 Buy Clean Act, which requires state agencies to consider embedded carbon emissions when procuring steel and cement for infrastructure projects.
- Supporting maritime shipping decarbonization Zero-Carbon Transport CorridorsImplements decarbonization initiatives across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe, including collaboration to establish the first international zero-carbon shipping routes.
research · 6
- Conducting funding landscape research for climate adaptation Donor-Advised Fund AdministrationConducts annual funding landscape analysis to map philanthropic investments in adaptation and resilience, identifying gaps and guiding funder resource allocation; reported that foundation funding reached $870 million in 2025.
- Evaluating grantee relationships through perception reports Annual Impact & Transparency ReportingPublished findings from the 2024 Grantee Perception Report to evaluate grantee relationships and improve grantmaking practices.
- Evaluating grantee relationships through research Annual Impact & Transparency ReportingConducts and publishes the annual Grantee Perception Report, such as the 2024 edition, to evaluate grantee experiences and improve grantmaking practices.
- Evaluating grantee relationships through research Annual Impact & Transparency ReportingConducts the annual Grantee Perception Report to assess grantee experiences and improve foundation practices, with findings published in 2024.
- Mapping philanthropic funding for climate adaptation Donor-Advised Fund AdministrationConducts annual funding landscape analysis to map global foundation investments in climate adaptation and resilience, identifying gaps and guiding funder strategies; reported $870 million in foundation funding for adaptation in 2025.
- Mapping philanthropic funding for climate resilience Donor-Advised Fund AdministrationConducts annual funding landscape analyses to map foundation investments in climate adaptation and resilience, identifying gaps and guiding funder strategies; reported $870 million in foundation funding for these areas in 2025.
capacity building · 23
- Accelerating agroecological transitions in East Africa Agroecological Transitions & Sustainable Coffee ProductionSupports agroecological transitions in Kenya and Tanzania to improve food security and enhance climate resilience through locally adapted farming systems.
- Advancing agroecological transitions in East Africa Agroecological Transitions & Sustainable Coffee ProductionAccelerates agroecological transitions in Kenya and Tanzania to enhance food security and climate resilience.
- Advancing agroecological transitions in East Africa Agroecological Transitions & Sustainable Coffee ProductionAccelerates agroecological farming transitions in Kenya and Tanzania to improve food security and enhance climate resilience.
- Advancing carbon dioxide removal and carbon removal innovation Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportOperates the first philanthropic initiative focused on diverse carbon removal approaches, providing funding, advancing research, addressing scientific knowledge gaps, and strengthening the carbon dioxide removal field and community.
- Driving clean cooling initiatives to reduce emissions Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportAims to avoid 100 gigatons of CO2e emissions through clean cooling initiatives, with targeted grantmaking in China, India, Southeast Asia, and the U.S. to address 75% of projected cooling-related emissions by 2050.
- Driving clean cooling initiatives to reduce emissions Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportAims to avoid 100 gigatons of CO2e emissions through clean cooling initiatives, with grantmaking focused on regions accounting for 75% of projected cooling-related emissions by 2050, including China, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States.
- Establishing just transition funding for the Global South Climate Justice Ecosystem Fund DevelopmentLaunched the Global South Just Transition Fund in 2023 with over $20 million from the IKEA Foundation and Laudes Foundation, initially targeting Indonesia, South Africa, Vietnam, and India to support equitable climate transitions.
- Establishing just transition funding in the Global South Climate Justice Ecosystem Fund DevelopmentLaunched the Global South Just Transition Fund in 2023 with over $20 million from the IKEA Foundation and Laudes Foundation, initially focusing on Indonesia, South Africa, Vietnam, and India to support equitable climate transitions.
- Leading forests and land use climate initiatives Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesLeads the Forests and Land Use program through the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA), focusing on locally-led solutions and systemic global change to address deforestation and land-based emissions.
- Leading forests and land use climate programming Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesLeads the Forests and Land Use program through the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA), focusing on locally-led solutions and systemic global change to address deforestation and land-based emissions.
- Leading forests and land use initiatives through CLUA Scientific Research & Regeneration InitiativesLeads the Forests and Land Use program via the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA), focusing on locally-led solutions and systemic global change.
- Providing broad climate grantmaking supportHas granted over $2 billion to climate initiatives since 2008, supporting more than 850 grantee organizations in over 50 countries working on climate solutions.
- Providing strategic climate advisory services to funders Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportDelivers context-specific advice, analysis, and recommendations on climate solutions to partner foundations with interests in China and India, supporting informed grantmaking and strategy development.
- Providing strategic climate grantmaking guidance Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportOffers context-specific advice, analysis, and recommendations to partner foundations on climate solutions in China and India, supporting informed philanthropic decision-making in key geographies.
- Providing strategic climate grantmaking guidance in Asia Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportDelivers context-specific advice, analysis, and recommendations on climate solutions to partner foundations with interests in China and India.
- Reducing nitrous oxide emissions in key regions Climate Policy Advocacy & Coalition BuildingSupports grassroots initiatives and national strategies to scale replicable models for nitrous oxide reduction in Brazil, East Africa, and the European Union.
- Reducing nitrous oxide emissions through grassroots and national strategies Climate Policy Advocacy & Coalition BuildingSupports grassroots initiatives and national strategies to scale replicable models for nitrous oxide reduction in Brazil, East Africa, and the European Union.
- Reducing nitrous oxide emissions through grassroots support Climate Policy Advocacy & Coalition BuildingSupports grassroots initiatives and national strategies to scale replicable models for nitrous oxide reduction in Brazil, East Africa, and the European Union.
- Scaling carbon dioxide removal solutions Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportOperates the first philanthropic initiative focused on advancing diverse carbon removal approaches, providing funding, research advancement, and field-building support to strengthen the carbon dioxide removal community and address scientific knowledge gaps.
- Scaling carbon dioxide removal through philanthropic initiative Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportOperates the first philanthropic initiative focused on advancing diverse carbon removal approaches, providing funding, research advancement, and field-building to address scientific knowledge gaps and strengthen the carbon dioxide removal community.
- Scaling clean cooling initiatives through targeted grantmaking Climate Policy & Carbon Removal SupportConducts grantmaking in China, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States to target 75% of projected cooling-related emissions by 2050, with a long-term goal of avoiding 100 gigatons of CO2e emissions through clean cooling.
- Supporting global climate grantmaking at scaleHas granted over $2 billion to climate initiatives since 2008 and supported more than 850 grantee organizations across over 50 countries, enabling a broad portfolio of climate solutions.
- Supporting just energy transitions in the Global South Climate Justice Ecosystem Fund DevelopmentLaunched the Global South Just Transition Fund in 2023 with over $20 million in funding from the IKEA Foundation and Laudes Foundation, initially focusing on Indonesia, South Africa, Vietnam, and India.
strategies · 25
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborative knowledge and narrative building for just transitions deep learningFosters networks, shares context-specific knowledge, and uses storytelling to shape global discourse and strengthen locally-led just transition pathways.
- Collaborative strategy development with local and global partners collaborative strategy developmentBuilds climate strategies through international and local partnerships, integrating best practices and shared learning across governments, civil society, and philanthropy.
- Cross-sector collaboration and demand-side innovation cross-sector_collaborationDrives industrial and construction decarbonization by aligning stakeholders across value chains to scale low-carbon materials through public procurement, circular design, and market demand.
- Cross-sector collaboration and network building cross-sector_network_buildingBuilds durable cross-sector networks among governments, civil society, private sector, and communities to generate shared strategies and accelerate transitions.
- Equitable access and just transition equitable_access_to_coolingEnsures climate solutions expand access to essential services like cooling and industrial materials while prioritizing vulnerable populations and local economic systems.
- Equity-centered behavioral and community engagement equity-centered behavioral and community engagement strategyCombines behavioral change strategies with community-led action to reduce emissions in ways that center equity, co-creation, and frontline leadership.
- Equity-centered community engagement and frontline leadership equity-centered behavioral and community engagement strategyCenters equity by co-creating solutions with frontline communities, amplifying local voices, and prioritizing justice in decarbonization and transition efforts across sectors.
- Equity-centered community engagement and leadership equity-centered behavioral and community engagement strategyCenters frontline communities in climate solution design through co-creation, local leadership, and narrative change to ensure just and inclusive transitions.
- Integrated technological and ecological carbon removal multi-ecosystem carbon removalSupports a diverse portfolio of carbon removal approaches—spanning technological innovation and natural ecosystems—while emphasizing responsibility, readiness, and equitable governance.
- Just and equitable grantee partnerships equitable grantee partnershipsPrioritizes equitable relationships with grantees and local organizations as a core mechanism for achieving effective and just climate outcomes.
- Locally led, equity-centered climate solutions locally-led transitionAdvances climate action through community-led design and frontline leadership, ensuring that solutions are grounded in local contexts, promote justice, and build resilience from the ground up.
- Multi-ecosystem and nature-based carbon removal multi-ecosystem carbon removalSupports responsible carbon removal across land and ocean ecosystems, emphasizing sustainable practices and community stewardship to enhance carbon sequestration.
- Multi-ecosystem and nature-based carbon removal multi-ecosystem carbon removalSupports responsible, diverse carbon removal approaches across land, ocean, and technological systems to scale durable carbon storage.
- Multi-lever decarbonization strategy multi-lever decarbonization strategyTargets complex systems like aviation and shipping through a combination of technological innovation, demand reduction, policy reform, and market transformation to achieve deep emissions reductions.
- Multi-lever decarbonization strategy multi-lever decarbonization strategyTargets multiple intervention points across technology, demand, and policy to achieve systemic decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors like aviation and shipping.
- Multi-lever decarbonization strategy multi-lever decarbonization strategyTargets multiple intervention points across technology, demand, and policy to achieve systemic decarbonization in hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation and shipping.
- Philanthropy-driven field building and catalytic grantmaking philanthropy-driven field buildingUses philanthropic capital to build fields, coordinate funders, and deploy catalytic grants that de-risk innovation and leverage additional public and private investment.
- Philanthropy-driven field building and catalytic grantmaking catalytic and coordinated philanthropyLeverages philanthropic capital to incubate, scale, and coordinate climate solutions across sectors by supporting emerging fields, catalyzing innovation, and convening funders to amplify impact.
- Philanthropy-driven field building and funder coordination philanthropy-driven field buildingLeverages philanthropic capital and coordination to build fields, shape narratives, and amplify impact through collaborative grantmaking and knowledge sharing.
- Policy and market transformation through collaboration market_and_policy_transformationDrives systemic change by shaping policy and market conditions via cross-sector partnerships, regulatory alignment, and public procurement leverage.
- Systemic transformation through policy, finance, and markets market_and_policy_transformationDrives structural change by reforming policies, transforming financial systems, and shaping markets to align with climate goals across sectors.
- Systems innovation in industrial and built environment decarbonization clean_industry_decarbonizationAccelerates the adoption of low-carbon materials and industrial processes through circular economy principles, public procurement, and cross-sector coordination in construction and manufacturing.
- Systems transformation through policy, finance, and narrative system_and_policy_transformationShifts structural systems by aligning policy reform, financial flows, and public narratives to enable equitable decarbonization across forests, food, cooling, and industry.
- Technology and innovation acceleration technology-focused carbon removal researchAdvances scalable technological solutions—such as e-SAF, carbon removal, and clean industrial processes—through research, market creation, and public-private partnerships.
- Technology-driven carbon removal and e-fuel innovation technology-focused carbon removal researchAdvances technological carbon removal and synthetic fuel production (e.g., e-SAF) by integrating direct air capture and green hydrogen to create scalable, long-term decarbonization solutions.
named programs · 4
what they call their work
Adaptation and Resilience Program
Strengthens climate resilience through the Adaptation and Resilience Collaborative (ARC), the Adaptation and Resilience Fund (A+R Fund), and annual funding landscape analysis to align philanthropy and support locally-led solutions
Aviation Program
Accelerates decarbonization of the aviation sector by scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), reducing demand through behavioral change, and exploring contrail mitigation; partners with Carbon Dioxide Removal Program on e-SAF development
Carbon Dioxide Removal Program
Partners with the Aviation Program to explore e-SAF production using direct air capture and green hydrogen; advances carbon removal technologies
Food & Agriculture Program
Transforms food systems by advancing agroecology, shifting away from industrial livestock, and localizing food systems in partnership with frontline communities in key geographies
relationships · 23
who they work with
- Adaptation and Resilience Collaborative (ARC) Partner — Collaborative of over 50 philanthropic institutions coordinated by ClimateWorks to align strategies and accelerate collective impact on adaptation and resilience.
- Adaptation and Resilience Fund (A+R Fund) Partner — Fund supported by ClimateWorks to deploy catalytic grants for people-centered climate adaptation solutions.
- Brazil Partner — Partner country where ClimateWorks supports agroecology and nitrous oxide reduction initiatives
- Business Wire Partner — Partner organization disseminating research on seaweed farming as a blue carbon solution.
- Carbon Dioxide Removal Program Partner — Partners with ClimateWorks' internal Carbon Dioxide Removal Program to develop e-SAF using direct air capture and green hydrogen.
- Carbon Leadership Forum Partner — Partner organization collaborating on embodied carbon reduction pathways research.
- China Partner — Country where ClimateWorks operates as part of its Asia regional food and agriculture program
- Clean Cooling Collaborative Partner — Initiative of ClimateWorks Foundation focused on transforming the cooling sector and expanding access to efficient, climate-friendly cooling.
- Climate and Land Use Alliance Partner — Leads the Forests and Land Use program in partnership with CLUA.
- East Africa Partner — Regional partner where ClimateWorks supports grassroots initiatives for agroecological transition and nitrous oxide reduction
- EnergyTech Partner — Partner organization involved in communication or research related to seaweed-based carbon capture.
- European Union Partner — Partner region where ClimateWorks advances transition from agrochemicals to agroecology
- Global Industry Decarbonization Hub Partner — Hyoeun Jenny Kim serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Global Industry Decarbonization Hub, indicating a leadership and operational partnership with ClimateWorks Foundation.
- GranteeFeedback@ClimateWorks.org Partner — Channel for grantees to provide feedback on ClimateWorks' practices and partnership experience.
- IKEA Foundation Funder — Provided investment to the Global South Just Transition Fund launched by ClimateWorks Foundation.
- India Partner — Country where ClimateWorks operates as part of its Asia regional food and agriculture program
- International Civil Aviation Organization Partner — Collaborates with ICAO on policy interventions to decarbonize the aviation sector.
- Kenya Partner — Partner country where ClimateWorks works with frontline communities to accelerate agroecological transitions
- Laudes Foundation Funder — Provided investment to the Global South Just Transition Fund launched by ClimateWorks Foundation.
- MacKenzie Scott Funder — Provided a major gift to support climate initiatives, as recognized by ClimateWorks.
- Paris Agreement Government — Works to align international shipping regulations with the Paris Agreement through supported organizations.
- Tanzania Partner — Partner country where ClimateWorks supports community-led agroecological transitions to strengthen food security and resilience
- United States of America Partner — Partner country where ClimateWorks supports reform of industrial livestock production systems