Webinar: ‘It’s the environment – stupid’ – How should philanthropy and impact investment tackle the climate crisis?

The effects of a warming world are now a matter of reality. The environment study produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change this month has been described as a ‘code red for humanity’ highlighting in stark language that many changes are already irreversible in terms of rising sea levels and increasing temperature. The report explains that strong, rapid, sustained reduction in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions will be required to mitigate global warming.

The charity sector will inevitably be engaged in addressing a wide range of the negative repercussions arising from climate change; this will not only include front line relief work as people lose their homes and livelihoods but also those areas where climate intersects with other areas including health, social justice and education.

Join BDB Pitmans and our panellists as we discuss some of the tensions which exist in climate philanthropy and the ways in which charities and funders can work together to meet the climate challenge, including:

• the perceived barriers to engagement?
• what philanthropic strategies can be employed to help mitigate environmental impact?
• how does the environment intersect with other charitable activities?
• should charity investors make use of their leverage and influence to hold companies to account on environmental issues?
• how can charities use litigation as a tool to enforce laws and influence policies?
• are ESG investments everything that they appear to be?
• what are the investment opportunities to support green initiatives?
• how difficult is it to align investments with mission?

You will hear from:

Sophie Marple, Founder and Trustee of Gower Street, a foundation that is funding transformative climate initiatives in the UK and Ghana. Sophie has first-hand experience of transitioning her philanthropic support to climate solutions after coming to the realisation that the issue was too big to ignore.

Joouja Maamri, Climate Philanthropy Manager at Impatience Earth which provides pro bono advice to donors seeking to support amazing organisations, ideas and individuals working to address the climate crisis.

Tessa Khan, an international climate change and human rights lawyer, co-founder of the Climate Litigation Network and currently Director of Uplift, the mission of which is to support and energise the movement for a just and fossil fuel-free UK.

Jamie Broderick, advocate for social impact investment and board member, Impact Investing Institute.

Jonathan Brinsden, Charity and not for profit partner at BDB Pitmans.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP here or click the RSVP button on this page.

The session will be held using Zoom, a link will be sent to you in your registration confirmation email and will also be re-sent on the morning of the webinar.

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