2030 timeframe is critical

The UN says global emissions must nearly halve by 2030 to have a hope of keeping global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. Australia should be a leader in the step-change reductions that must occur by 2030 at the latest. We’re a rich country with a wealth of renewable energy resources. We’re also one of the world’s highest per capita emitters. With our natural systems, pressure is growing on world leaders to commit to halt biodiversity loss and protect 30 per cent of land, freshwater and sea by 2030.

In Australia, concern is growing across civil society around the failures of our democratic institutions, including the capture of governments by the fossil fuel industry, big agriculture and other vested interests, aided by a concentrated and influential media sector (see Confronting State Capture).

In addition, we are experiencing deep failures in our economic systems. Government regulation and civil market-based initiatives have failed to constrain the pursuit of profit regardless of negative environmental and social costs, the increased growth of consumerism and the wielding of power and influence by vested interests. Civil society organisations are demanding reform to political lobbying and donations, the establishment of a proper federal integrity commission and that the community voice is heard in our halls of power.

The power of philanthropy

Philanthropy has a vital role to play in solving the climate and biodiversity crises, including by addressing these causal failures in our democratic and economic systems.

The independence of philanthropy, and its ability to fund outside of election cycles, means philanthropy has been able to support some of the most critical climate and nature interventions in Australia. However, we can — and must — do more. Growing strategic philanthropic investment partnered with independent, powerful and trusted civil society groups is key.

The AEGN outlines 7 megatrends in philanthropic practice that Australian donors can use to supercharge environment and climate protection at this critical time:

1. Acting at a systems level — addressing root causes and championing solutions.
2. Working in and funding collaborations — we are greater than the sum of our parts.
3. Recognising that equity and justice are central to environmental solutions.
4. Taking a partnership approach means acting with trust, humility and transparency.
5. Making sure the continued growth in corporate philanthropy genuinely makes a critical difference to environmental change and supports civic over corporate interests.
6. Supporting the rise of the next generation of philanthropists and activists in their passion for change.
7. Holding the line in the face of declining public funding for environment and climate.
   

These megatrends in philanthropic practice are playing out around the world. Increasingly, philanthropy is working with civil society to repair democratic institutions and processes and address the failures of economic systems. It is adding significant value by working together as a sector and with other partners to address complex issues. And by using donations and impact investments, it is providing independent venture capital to underpin innovative solutions to global and environment and climate challenges.