Climate Action Aotearoa has released its Year Three Annual Report, showcasing the collective progress of our signatories to the Funders’ Commitment on Climate Action.
This year, 83% of signatories are applying our climate taxonomy to grantmaking, showcasing a whopping $32 million granted to climate projects around the motu, with $16.5 million directly supporting biodiversity. This recognition highlights the importance of nature-based solutions, not just carbon-centric issues. Over 75% of signatories have adjusted their SIPO to enable impact investments in the future, embedding the values of care and interconnection into how resources are managed.
“Since the Funders' Commitment inception, the collective progress we have achieved is a powerful testament to the dedication of our signatories in advancing climate resilience. This journey has been shaped and strengthened by the outstanding leadership of our former Chair, Linn Araboglos, whose vision has laid the foundation for all that follows.” Says Dennis Turton, Chair, Climate Action Working Group.
We know that climate change affects the most vulnerable populations the hardest, and it doesn’t exist in isolation. Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a profound justice issue. The report recognises that philanthropic funders in Aotearoa have a unique freedom and independence that gives our sector a real chance to lead on climate action.
The climate and biodiversity emergency threatens the very communities we exist to serve, and acting on it doesn’t just prevent future harm; it also creates immediate benefits for people and places.
Esther Whitehead, co-author of the report, says, “What was considered ‘ambitious’ just a few years ago is now being baked into business as usual. Capturing emissions, impact investing, climate reporting, supporting participatory grantmaking, and transitioning to low-carbon Paris-aligned funds, or implementing investment exclusions, are part of regular practice across our signatories”.
Over the last three years, significant progress has been made across operations, investment, and grant-making. With funders embracing a Tika (Just) Transition, embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a shift from the traditional mindset of ‘financial returns only’, to recognise the value of social return on investments.
“As we recognise the progress made, we remain committed to furthering this mahi to ensure vulnerable communities are better supported through the transition that we are all living through, and new leaders emerge with the capacity to drive equitable change as a collective.” Says co-author of the report, Arohanui West.
For Climate Action Aotearoa, success means Māori voices and mātauranga show up and shape decision-making in our signatories, and a growing share of our resources - financial, human, and reputational - are aligned with climate action. It means our organisations themselves walk the talk by embedding practices into organisational levers. And it means we report openly, with humility and honesty, so that others can learn alongside us.
In short, success is measured not only in outputs, but in trust, influence, and consistent momentum, showing others how funders can move Aotearoa toward a tika, low-carbon future.
Pictured below: Combined Community Trust Conference in Waihōpai Invercargill in November 2024. All 12 of the Combined Community Trusts are signatories of Climate Action Aotearoa, with the remaining six being Foundations or Charitable Trusts.
