How philanthropy can play an important role at COP29

Climate philantrophy

Photo by UNclimatechange on Flickr

By Erika Miller, Head of Climate and Mehul Singh, Communication Associate, WINGS

Last year, COP28 in Dubai was momentous for numerous reasons1. Concluding the first Global Stocktake2 of the world’s efforts towards implementing the Paris Agreement, it became clear that progress was far too slow. However,  this led to the first-ever formal recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels. While previous COP agreements had hinted at reducing reliance on coal, COP28 explicitly aimed to initiate a phase-out of fossil fuel use, marking what many see as the “beginning of the end”3 of the fossil fuel era. In Dubai, we also saw the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage fund4, marking the transition from planning to practical action in supporting vulnerable countries affected by climate change, a crucial milestone towards a more equitable climate policy. 

With regard to philanthropy, we also saw some significant outcomes: Philanthropy For Climate celebrated the launch of the Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change5, a collective call to action from a group of philanthropies calling for accelerated progress and action on climate adaptation and resilience6, and the noteworthy official inclusion of philanthropy as a key actor through the inaugural Business & Philanthropy forum7. 

However, the outcome of Dubai ultimately still falls short of securing a safe and just future by failing to demand an immediate fossil fuel phase-out, continuing to be rife with legal loopholes, and inadequately ensuring accountability measures. This presents an urgent call for philanthropy to be a driving force for the bold transformations still needed. 

Now, heading into the twenty-ninth Conference of Parties this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, this policy process is again at a very interesting moment with one of the highest priorities being the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)8 for climate finance. The first climate finance goal, set in 2009, aimed for wealthy nations to collectively mobilise $100 billion per year, expired in 2020 and was only met in 2022, causing contention among the Parties as they are tasked with setting a new goal. Additionally, in February 2025, Parties are required to submit updated and more ambitious versions of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)9 that align with the mandates of the Global Stocktake.

While progress has been made, the need to scale up action cannot be more urgent – we can no longer afford ambition to be separate from implementation. The outcomes of these negotiations and subsequent results of the national climate plans are our last chance to set the world on a sustainable path that protects both people and the planet. Philanthropies have a key role to play in supporting more ambitious negotiation outcomes from COP29 and better and stronger NDCs at the country level.

Philanthropy’s role at COP29: four areas of engagement for climate action

There are four different areas of engagement through which philanthropy can impact the COP process:

  1. At the heart of COP29 are negotiations between heads of state and government representatives. These discussions are critical for achieving consensus and ultimately shaping the official agenda, with a focus this year on Climate Finance. Here, philanthropy has been doing crucial work to influence these negotiations — from supporting civil society groups who engage with governments to funding the participation of negotiators from underrepresented countries, and funding scientific research that equips negotiators with data-driven information. By supporting these efforts, philanthropy can play an instrumental role in paving the way for well-informed and equitable outcomes. 
  2. The second area of philanthropy’s involvement at COP involves participating and hosting side events in the Blue Zone, which has become increasingly diverse since COP26 in Glasgow. Outside the official negotiation spaces, the Blue Zone contains dozens of pavilions that represent a range of sectors including Country, Thematic, and Institutional and NGO pavilions. At COP28, there were over 50 pavilions. These pavilions are key spaces where diverse stakeholders can come together. Philanthropy plays an active role in hosting pavilions, supporting capacity-building initiatives, and organising events that facilitate vital multi-stakeholder exchanges. While these side events do not directly influence the negotiations, philanthropy can play a bridge-building role through communications strategies that bring key issues discussed in the pavilion into the public discourse. 
  3. The third area involves the Green Zone, which is the main avenue for engagement of the real economy with the UNFCCC. Over the years, the Green Zone has grown in scale and diversity, reflecting the increasing role of non-state actors in the global climate agenda. The participation of NGOs, youth activists, Indigenous leaders, and innovators has become a hallmark of the Green Zone, reinforcing the link between grassroots action and high-level policymaking. Here, philanthropy has ample opportunity to enhance inclusivity by ensuring the participation of diverse voices that could not be represented at the negotiation table in the first and second areas of engagement highlighted above. 
  4. The fourth area, represented by the streets surrounding COP venues, is an important space for protests and demonstrations. These powerful spaces allow mobilisation to demand bigger and better climate action policies. Historically, social movements have been instrumental in influencing policy decisions and ensuring they have the space to do so is a crucial part of democratic society. Philanthropy can and should support people-led movements that push for inclusive and equitable climate solutions, ensuring all communities can participate in shaping the future we want to see.

 

Why is it important? 

As we stand at a critical junction in the global climate policy regime, where bridging the gap between ambition and implementation is crucial for humanity’s continued existence, philanthropy must rise to the occasion. While the COPs are important moments for climate policy, they must be considered as mere milestones along a continuum of yearlong efforts10 that must be driven at the local levels through collaborations between civil society, private sectors, and governments. 

The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated; we are at a tipping point where the outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact our ability to adapt, build resilience and safeguard our natural environment. Philanthropy needs to step up to bridge the gap between global commitments and local realities, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and bold actions are taken in a collective effort to safeguard both people and the planet.CALL TO ACTION: Join these discussions through the Philanthropy For Climate delegation at COP29

These conversations also build on our previous paper, ‘Lessons from Climate Funders on Locally-led Development Assistance’11. The policy paper offers insights into best practices and challenges associated with climate funding efforts and recommendations for improving support for local communities in addressing climate change. At COP29, we will convene the global PhilanthropyForClimate community to build on these crucial conversations and reinforce that every foundation, regardless of size, mission or geographical scope, can and should commit to addressing climate change.

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  1. https://climatechampions.unfccc.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Achievements-at-COP28-Report_Intl.pdf 
  2. The Global Stocktake is a periodic review under the Paris Agreement to assess global progress on climate goals, guiding stronger future commitments. Read more here: https://unfccc.int/topics/global-stocktake 
  3. https://public.wmo.int/media/news/cop28-concludes-historic-agreement-try-tackle-climate-crisis 
  4. The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund has come after many years of contentious discussions on this topic. It is meant to provide financial support to countries who suffer consequences of climate change that are beyond what adaptation can respond to (ex. the loss of coastal land from sea level rise. Read more here: https://www.wri.org/insights/loss-damage-climate-change
  5. https://gife.org.br/gifenacop/compromisso-brasileiro-filantropia-sobre-mudancas-climaticas/ 
  6. https://www.climateworks.org/press-release/as-the-climate-crisis-mounts-philanthropy-must-act-to-confront-the-impacts/
  7. https://www.forbes.com/sites/moiraforbes/2023/11/22/cop28-how-business–philanthropy-are-redefining-climate-action/
  8. The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) is a global climate finance target being set by 2025 to replace the current $100 billion goal. This new target aims to increase and better tailor financial support for developing countries in their climate action efforts: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/UNFCCC_NCQG2023_flyer_web.pdf
  9. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans submitted by Parties outlining their commitments to reduce emissions and halt climate change, in an effort to limit global warming to well below 2°C under the Paris Agreement. See more here: https://www.wri.org/ndcs.
  10. https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/why-we-need-climate-progress-every-week/
  11. https://wings.issuelab.org/resource/lessons-from-climate-funders-on-locally-led-development-assistance.html

Erika Miller                   and                    Mehul Singh

Erika’s previous experience includes working with INGOs and leading the Canadian PhilanthropyForClimate movement. She believes in the power of strong partnerships for addressing our world’s most complex challenges. Erika has a BA in Global Development and is currently pursuing her MSc in Climate Change and Development at SOAS.

Mehul has experience in nonprofit communications, focusing on issues like child rights, climate action, gender, and migration. They have supported advocacy efforts, global movements and development communications grounded in a commitment to social justice. Mehul holds a BA in Journalism and Communication and an MA in Social and Cultural Anthropology.

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