How associations can build climate partnerships

In the quest to combat climate change, carbon finance has emerged as a powerful tool for prefunding emissions reduction projects, while also creating a market for carbon and plastic offsets. However, its true potential is realized when carbon-emitting companies look beyond compliance and reduction alone, and partner with social entrepreneurs to address broader societal challenges. By aligning with visionary entrepreneurs who are deeply embedded in their local communities, and engaging with local governments, companies can create a holistic approach. Not only does this allow them to offset emissions, but it also helps them contribute meaningfully to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The greatest success comes when global strategies meet local understanding—when speaking on global stages is complemented by direct engagement with communities at the grassroots level. This synergy ensures that projects are not only environmentally sound but also socially impactful, addressing real needs like poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, and job creation. How does this work? • Carbon-emitting companies invest in offset projects—such as renewable energy, reforestation, waste management, or plastic recycling—that are designed to reduce or sequester carbon emissions. • Social entrepreneurs, along with local stakeholders, work within these projects to ensure that the benefits extend beyond the environment, creating green jobs, improving local infrastructure, and empowering communities through education and training. The results? A powerful and innovative synergy where carbon finance not only tackles climate concerns but also contributes to social transformation at both the global and community level. Understanding the local dynamics and building strong partnerships with community leaders and government agencies is key to ensuring the success and sustainability of these projects. The future of carbon finance lies in these strategic partnerships, where people, businesses, governments, and social entrepreneurs work hand in hand for the planet and for society. Together, we can build sustainable systems that deliver real, lasting impact. At KALTANI, we are ready to be a part of this future—working together with businesses, communities, and governments to build a thriving and sustainable world. #CarbonFinance #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CarbonOffsets #CarbonCredits #PlasticCredits #PlasticOffsets #SocialEntrepreneurship #SustainableDevelopment #PartnershipForImpact

Now that I have had time for introspection since #NYCClimateWeek, here is my greatest takeaway: the formidable challenges confronting us necessitate making bigger bets, taking higher risks, and working at scale now. Here are three methods we are actioning with LGT Venture Philanthropy: 1. Establishing robust and efficient organizations must take precedence, and we must mainstream Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (#IPLCs) knowledge into solutions. Empowering communities at the grassroots level is not a choice but a necessity. Take for example, the Maasai Mara region, home to a quarter of Kenya's wildlife, where a shared value for nature has been passed down through generations among its inhabitants. No AI tool can automate or expedite that depth of understanding. It's why our portfolio organization Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association acts as a national representative body for the people living and working within conservancies while portfolio organizations like Basecamp Explorer Kenya restores ecosystems and Ahueni develops carbon finance models. This way, Indigenous communities are applying their deep-seated knowledge to the environment with tools, resources, and the backing of a governance system. 2. Embracing collaboration: The monumental task of climate conservation necessitates approaches bigger than any one individual funder. Pooling resources, sharing expertise, and fostering partnerships like LGT Venture Philanthropy, Co-Impact, Skoll Foundation, and others are doing ensures that there are multiple avenues for funding and that a broader spectrum of solutions and perspectives can be included in solving this critical global issue. 3. Core funding—funding that is not earmarked for a specific purpose but rather for organizational operating expenses—is absolutely vital for the sustainability of environmental impact. When funding for the daily needs of those doing the grassroots work is an oversight rather than a core function, we waste our most valuable asset. People working for grassroots organizations, especially those from marginalized communities, face an unusually high occurrence of burnout. The climate crisis, caused by multiple generations, requires multiple generations to heal. Funders must acknowledge and prioritize core funding as the floor, not the ceiling when it comes to necessary conservation efforts. Now to you: What were your key takeaways? #InvestInOurPlanet #ClimateCrisis

When countries work together, supported by strong coalitions and partnerships, we can turn shared risks into shared progress. In the Western Balkans, support from the Adaptation Fund has enabled Albania, Montenegro & North Macedonia to join forces in tackling floods in the Drin River Basin – a challenge that knows no borders. With UNDP and partners, and building on earlier efforts supported by the Global Environment Facility, this initiative truly highlights the power of partnerships to meet transboundary climate challenges and advance shared climate goals. The results speak for themselves: More than 30 new or upgraded hydrometeorological stations are improving flood forecasting and early warning. Thousands of hectares of farmland and communities are better protected through rehabilitated embankments and drainage systems. And for the first time, Albania, North Macedonia & Montenegro have a joint flood risk management strategy, backed by shared data, aligned with EU standards, shaped by community voices, and paired with a five-year action plan to reduce vulnerability across borders. See the work in photos: https://lnkd.in/e-hgzK9C This is proof that partnerships are one of the most powerful defenses we have against climate change. UNDP in Europe and Central Asia UNDP Albania UNDP Montenegro UNDP North Macedonia

Last week I had an inspiring exchange with Sarah Jones, President of the Deutscher Wetterdienst, on how to deepen the dialogue on #climatedata with a focus on striving for more enhanced collaboration between Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH and DWD in the field of climate data and #internationalcooperation 🌍📊   We reflected on successful joint projects across Asia, Latin America, and Africa that serve as a solid foundation for meaningful partnerships and the power of #cooperation.  The Urban Act project GIZ Thailand, which fosters exchange between the DWD and the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) on climate services and climate modelling, is a clear example of how these partnerships can strive to improve the capacity of cities for low-emission and resilient urban development. Another significant advancement in this field is the newly established partnership between the GIZ Data Service Center and DWD to leverage climate projection data for project planning and implementation. In times of uncertainty, #partnerships and reliable #data become an important milestone for our work and effectiveness. By utilizing climate models for future-oriented development programs and strengthening national weather services in partner countries, we can make an important contribution to climate-resilient development!🌱 Axel Thomalla, Claudia Rubart, Patrick Büker, Gunnar Hesch Charlotta Westphal

WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Volans are teaming up to create guidance for companies on aligning their trade associations with sustainability policies. Cami Daeninck and Richard Roberts highlight how trade associations can influence government policies and mobilize resources for climate action, aiming to transform inactive associations into leaders of the net-zero transition. Our new report, How Trade Associations Helped Put the World on a Sustainable Path: Looking Back from 2035, categorizes associations into four types: — Accelerators: Actively promote Paris-aligned policies. — Sleeping Giants: Support climate goals but lack action. — Conflicted Catalysts: Support in principle but may hinder progress. — Blockers: Actively oppose science-based policies. Understanding these categories helps companies strategize their engagement. WBCSD believes the business community can become a driving force for sustainability policies, but it requires a collective effort to manage political influence. Read the full report here. https://lnkd.in/exe-9yrv