Engaging Local Communities

How philanthropy can better support frontline leaders and environmental movements [At Climate Week, I joined a Global Greengrants Fund-led discussion with grassroots leaders that offered a sharp view of how philanthropy meets—and sometimes misses—the realities of frontline work.] Philanthropy is purportedly rooted in a ‘love of humanity’, yet its operating systems are often transactional. “Philanthropy” encompasses everything from small family foundations to major multilateral donors, but common norms—short grant cycles, risk aversion, and a preference for quantifiable results—shape behavior even among those seeking to work differently. For many frontline conservation and climate justice groups, traditional approaches to giving can feel misaligned with the realities they face. Too often, donors equate success with what can be counted: hectares protected, tons of carbon sequestered, beneficiaries reached. Yet much of the real progress happens outside those metrics. A woman leader challenging taboos in her community, villagers reviving their language, or waste pickers forming cooperatives after exchange visits—these are not “soft” outcomes but signs of resilience. The challenge is not measurement itself but learning to value change that resists easy quantification. A more adaptive ethos would treat grants as relationships rather than contracts, underwriting learning, pivots, and even failure. One youth climate organizer described a $2,000 grant in West Africa that initially flopped. A decade later, the same group had won a national award for emissions-reduction work in the same municipality—an outcome enabled by funders who stayed the course after the first donor’s support ended. Protecting those who protect nature requires investing in people’s well-being and staying power, not only their deliverables. Flexibility, though, is most effective when paired with transparency and mutual trust. Money alone rarely shifts power; the governance of money does. Community leaders seldom sit on foundation boards or advisory groups, yet their participation can recalibrate priorities and improve accountability. Some restoration programs overlook the less visible work of community organizing, even though such engagement is vital to long-term success. Real lives are not lived in thematic silos, yet philanthropy often rewards narrow proposals. All of this unfolds amid growing strain—forest loss, shrinking civic space, and a mental-health crisis within conservation. Short-term funding and job insecurity amplify stress; predictable support allows people to plan, rest, and sustain their commitment. Systemic challenges like climate change demand long-term patience and humility. Philanthropy will not fix global inequities, but it can practice disciplined optimism: funding for resilience, not just results. The path forward lies in trust-based support, shared governance, and the resolve to apply well-known principles with consistency and care.

Gender-Responsive Communication Guide A gender-responsive communication refers to communication strategies, messages, and approaches that consciously consider and address gender norms, roles, relations, and inequalities. The aim is to promote gender equality and ensure that communication is inclusive, respectful, and empowering for all genders. Key Features of Gender-Responsive Communication: 1. Inclusive Language: Avoids sexist or stereotypical terms and includes both women and men (and other gender identities where relevant). 2. Representation: Ensures diverse and equitable representation of all genders in content, imagery, and voices. 3. Addressing Gender Inequality: Highlights gender disparities and promotes gender-equitable attitudes and behaviours. 4. Audience Sensitivity: Tailors messages to specific gender-related needs, roles, and expectations of different audiences. 5. Empowerment Focus: Aims to empower marginalised or underrepresented genders, especially women and girls. 6. Culturally Aware: Takes into account how local cultural norms and practices shape gender relations. For instance, in a health campaign on maternal health, a gender-blind approach may focus only on women as caregivers. Also, a gender-responsive approach includes men as supportive partners, addresses power dynamics, and promotes shared decision-making in reproductive health. UoN Anthropology and Gender Students Association, Institute for Faith and Gender Empowerment (IFAGE), Makerere University Institute of Gender and Development Studies, Gender, Work & Organization, Gender Equity Policy Institute (GEPI), ADB Gender, CGIAR Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, HBS Race, Gender & Equity Initiative, Gender DEI, Gender & Health Hub, Gender Unit | Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network, Women's Empowerment Link, Women On Boards Network Kenya, Women Educational Researchers of Kenya, African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), UN Women, Native Women's Association of Canada,

Today in Science Magazine, Jasper Verschuur, Prof Nicola Ranger and I argue that climate adaptation finance is not demonstrably achieving the desired outcome, which is climate risk reduction. https://lnkd.in/dJ4mrxaM We propose five policy reforms that will help shift the focus from inputs to outputs and outcomes: 1. Better local climate risk information, for example for infrastructure, agriculture and people. We need to know the baseline risk if we are to understand whether adaptation finance is shifting the dial. 2. More specific adaptation strategies. Too often there's a gulf between what's in countries' National Adaptation Plans and what ends up happening on the ground. 3. Realistic financing, which takes account of countries' fiscal situation and how it may be impacted by climate shocks; along with a shortened time-frame for international finance mobilization. 4. Much more capable adaptation project delivery, by building local capacity, including in crucial institutions like planning departments and public works. 5. Rigorous monitoring of adaptation delivery and its outcomes in terms of climate risk reduction. Sorting this out won't happen overnight, and we argue that a long-term perspective shouldn't detract from early action to manage climate impacts that are happening now. We're grateful for support from the Climate Compatible Growth #CCG programme.

Cities, towns, states, and regions are hubs for innovative, real-world solutions. Take #Liverpool for example. As the world’s first “Accelerator City” for climate action, they have taken impressive measures to rapidly decarbonise the live music and TV/Film production sectors – both vital parts of the city’s economy. Local and regional levels of government - being so closely connected with their communities - are fantastically placed to ensure bolder climate action is effective and inclusive, with everyone having a voice. Local governments also have direct knowledge of exactly what is needed, where exactly it is needed, and how it can be feasible. All while having the power and critical mass to attract investment. Regional and local leaders are key in building a greener, more resilient, more prosperous world for us all. Their role in helping national governments develop stronger national climate plans is essential.

In the latest Climate Conversations consultation, 67% of respondents said frustration was their dominant emotion, followed by worry (54%) and powerlessness (51%). Despair was more common than hope, and just one in seven people believed the Government had a clear, coordinated plan for climate action. Despite these negative feelings, there’s a strong appetite for participation. Many people said they want to get involved in local climate efforts. The report recommends creating community climate hubs to channel this energy and ensure people have opportunities to shape solutions in their area. However, the report also highlights confusion about which actions matter most. People often overestimate the impact of recycling and flying less, while underestimating the benefits of heat pumps and reducing meat consumption. Importantly, the findings show that the respondents are primarily individuals who are more engaged with climate issues, mainly urban, well-educated, and higher-income participants. For a truly fair and inclusive climate strategy, broader outreach and engagement are essential to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a low-carbon society. Those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and economic shifts must be included in engagement, decision-making and supported through the changes ahead. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/e_mHrxxg #ClimateAction #JustTransition #ClimateJustice

𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮? 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 🔑🌏 Lasting climate impact in #Asia will only come when we put trust and resources in the hands of local leaders. Effective action must be holistic: rooted in indigenous wisdom, responsive to local realities, and attentive to the interconnected social, economic, and community dimensions of resilience. Locally-grown solutions reflect cultural context, societal priorities, and the complex interplay shaping how climate action works on the ground – details often missed by global or Western-centric approaches. That’s the key to 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 #climatesolutions – ensuring no one is left behind in the net-zero transition. Empowering communities most at risk and giving them a seat at the table builds resilience alongside equity and opportunity. 👉 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Home to the majority of the world’s population, rapidly growing economies, and communities on the frontlines of climate risk, it’s also where some of the most innovative, context-driven climate responses are emerging. However, 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝟭𝟳% 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆- 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 in recent years. With geopolitical headwinds stalling climate ambition elsewhere, the opportunity to do more is huge. Now is the moment for bold regional leadership. For governments, businesses, and philanthropic organisations to align behind Asia’s locally-led climate agenda. By supporting local innovators, strengthening community networks, and unlocking catalytic finance, we can scale impact from the ground up. We can already see powerful examples taking place, from regenerative rice farming, to enterprises driving clean energy adoption in rural areas. These stories remind us that solutions 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱. The next phase depends on 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. If all of us work together, we can empower Asia’s changemakers and accelerate the shift to a more sustainable future. 🌏 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. The challenge is ensuring they have the trust, resources, and visibility to scale. 💬 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮? Comment below to collaborate with One Earth Summit OHG and join our mission to scale the region’s most promising climate solutions. 💡Follow Poman Lo for more insights. #NetZeroFundersTable #ClimateSolutions #LocalLeadership #InclusiveGrowth #SDG

The transition is locked in a double bind: cities and regions may hold the key. Earlier this week, in Paris, mayors of leading cities marked the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Their message was clear: cities are not waiting. They act — often faster than national governments — to decarbonise urban life and deliver social progress. I highlighted these successes and shared a conviction I hold with C40 Cities’s Mark Watts: if we want to accelerate delivery in the next decade, we must empower those closest to communities — local governments. https://lnkd.in/ddVcN-_t Meanwhile, in London, the COP30 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, a high-level event just before COP30 to highlight local governments’ actions and needs to achieve ambitious transition goals. https://lnkd.in/d3_4CQNf “Implementation” is the key word for Belém. From subnational leaders to parts of the private sector, momentum is building. But so are the headwinds. Efforts accelerate, yet the conditions to act get harder; awareness grows, but fatigue sets in. A paradox we must confront head-on. Individuals are open to change — but too often aren’t offered serious alternatives. Some companies try to lead — and get penalised as rules can be rewritten overnight. Cities and regions step up — but face chronic under-support: for funding, technical capabilities and political backing. As contradictions pile up, trust erodes. Opponents of the transition claim vindication. Paralysis sets in. Empowering local actors is how we begin to break this deadlock. Cities and regions know their people. They build trust, they directly impact everyday life and they feel more accountable to citizens. They are — and will remain — the stewards of delivery. Let’s give them the tools they need. Beyond the technical dimension lies a democratic imperative. Bringing decisions and execution closer to people is one of the best antidotes we have to the pandemic of distrust — fuelled by climate misinformation and manufactured outrage. That’s what the road to Belém must be about.

#UnpopularOpinion I trained in Carnatic music for over a decade. Listened to Gamaka, Sugama Sangeetha, verses of Bendre, Kuvempu pieces of poetry that carry the scent of soil, season, and story. Growing up in Karnataka, I absorbed a form of cultural literacy not found on resumes. One that taught me how food, language, and climate morph every 200 km. How festivals shift with districts. How rangoli patterns differ from village to village. But over time, I noticed something quietly unsettling. As I stepped into high-performance workspaces, I felt this richness quietly eroding. “Professionalism” began to mean sameness. “Best practice” began to mean borrowed. “Diversity” became a checkbox often global, rarely local. And that’s when it hit me. This isn’t just a cultural problem. It’s a strategic one. As a climate strategist today, I see how solutions meant for Indian communities often forget what makes India resilient: local wisdom, place-based rhythm, regional nuance. What we call traditional is often climate-smart. Ex: Channapatna’s lac-based toys are biodegradable, low-carbon, and artisan-led. What we call vernacular is deeply sustainable. Ex: Togalugari mane (mud homes) in North Karnataka regulate temperature naturally far before “passive cooling” became a climate buzzword. What we call regional is often system-aware, and centuries-tested. Ex: Tank irrigation systems in Mysore region, community-managed water governance long before SDG 6 was a thing. If we want India to lead climate solutions for the Global South, we must stop flattening what makes us unique. Not just in how we design projects. But in how we think, hire, and lead. Let’s not lose our regional intelligence in the race to appear “global.” Lead not by erasing difference, but by building from it. #DecolonisingClimate #ClimateIntelligence #SouthAsianWisdom #AuthenticityAtWork #KarnatakaVoices #LocalIsStrategic