Climate Transformation Fund 2023

Helping remove CO₂ from the atmosphere through carbon removal with durable long-term storage. CCS/CCU and carbon storage with an insecure or short storage time are not included in this category (nature restoration and protection projects have their own category).  We want to deploy funds catalytically, meaning we are not just looking at high-quality projects but also aim for projects where our support can make the most impact. We are both looking to support the testing of early new technologies not proven at scale yet, and help scale more mature solutions (e.g., biochar) through supporting sustainable, high-quality projects. We are looking to make pre-purchases of carbon removal and do not have the ability to sign longer offtake agreements, although tonnes can be delivered over several years. See our selection criteria and framework

You can also read more about our theory of change in supporting carbon removal in this recommendation of our carbon removal portfolio by Giving Green. 

Nature-based solutions implemented by non-profit organizations that help to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, such as afforestation, reforestation, forest preservation, restoration of degraded lands, wetlands, mangroves, and beyond. 

In particular, we are interested in innovative projects that could become self-sustaining or replicated. Projects should, along with reducing emissions and absorbing CO₂, help to conserve biodiversity-rich ecosystems and provide synergetic benefits for local communities, for example, poverty alleviation or improved agricultural practices. Projects should be done with an equity-first approach putting decision-making in the local populations' hands. We also aim for projects that have the potential to scale and be replicated, as well as plan for the long-term sustainability of the project.  We provide an initial grant for one year, subject to renewal upon project needs and performance evaluation. See our selection criteria and framework here

Supporting high-impact projects implemented by non-profit organizations that help to avoid or reduce emissions, as well as supporting policy advocacy projects that fight for climate policy change. Avoided emissions:

In this category, we aim to support effective projects that directly reduce emissions but are not profitable enough to happen independently. For example, building renewable energy to replace fossil fuels in remote locations; or supporting startups and entrepreneurs in the field of green energy transition, green mobility, and beyond.  Policy & advocacy: 

We believe that effective organizations that advocate for policy change in climate can be orders of magnitude more cost-effective than other climate solutions. We, therefore, aim to support effective, professional non-profit organizations in developing and advocating for climate solutions. This can, for example, be projects advocating divestment from fossil fuels, supporting policy dialogues on energy transition and other climate issues, and projects advocating for further support of R&D and research in this field.  We provide an initial grant for one year, subject to renewal upon project needs and performance evaluation. See our selection criteria and framework here