A new call to action is appealing to philanthropic funders to step up support in addressing the climate crisis. IPASA, the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa, is leading the charge on Africa’s first climate pledge for independent funders.

This is in an effort to better co-ordinate and consolidate available private finance and steer it towards building climate resilience for South Africa’s most vulnerable communities.

The timing and urgency for such a call cannot be overstated. As Southern Africa emerges from a devastating El Niño that caused large-scale droughts and reduced crop outputs of maize by up to 60% in some territories, the arrival of the La Niña wet cycle has proved equally devastating, with widespread floods already resulting in property damage and loss of livelihoods.

While COP29, failed to secure adequate financial commitments from developed countries to manage the mounting devastation in developing countries, there is consensus that public resources alone cannot solve the climate crisis.

Louise Driver, Executive Director for IPASA explains that while its 60 member organisations are knowledgeable about the climate crisis and its impacts, the complexity of the issue often leaves organisations feeling overwhelmed about where to direct support. With social development and poverty alleviation often being the focal point of funding, the increasing overlap of development and climate change effects means that many gains made are being eroded by the absence of climate considerations.

“Our members are already supporting key social development imperatives such as early childhood development, education, youth unemployment and food security, but by applying a climate lens to their work, investments are likely to yield more sustainable outcomes and move us towards building resilience in the most marginalised communities,” says Driver.

Joining the Global Movement: South Africa’s Climate Pledge

The South African Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change takes its lead from the international philanthropic community that has already pledged support in nine territories, including Canada, Brazil and the Middle East, making South Africa the tenth globally and the first climate pledge for Africa. While the international pledge forms the blueprint for South Africa’s statement of intent, an eighth pillar has been added that draws on the unique challenges of the Global South. Drawing on the shared experiences of Brazil and South Africa, we have several shared social and environmental threats undermining sustainable growth – from vulnerable ecosystems and biodiversity threats to deep social inequality.

The South African climate pledge is the culmination of extensive consultation with climate funders, governmental initiatives, independent experts and international philanthropic bodies to determine the relevance and most strategic way to integrate climate imperatives into their development practices.

The pledge also has the backing of the African Climate Foundation. “The African Climate Foundation firmly supports the pledge as it aligns with our vision for a just and equitable transition in South Africa,” says Saliem Fakir, Founder and Executive Director of the African Climate Foundation. “For South Africa to realise its full potential in fostering socio-economic development, it is essential to centre policies on social, environmental and economic justice, ensuring that they address deep-rooted inequality and unlock long-term benefits for all.”

Starting the climate conversation

Since August 2024, IPASA has led a series of conversations to better understand challenges and seek common ground. The work of the Presidential Climate Commission on a Just Energy Transition (JET) was also considered, where a workstream on climate finance intends to launch a dedicated funding platform for the private sector to participate.

Grindrod Family Centenary Trust participated in the scoping study, remarking how excluding climate implications from their work ignores the reality our youth are facing. “If you care about people and particularly young people, you have to care about climate,” explained Sarah Rennie, Trustee

The South African Philanthropy Commitment to Climate Change calls on independent funders to sign the pledge and form part of the collective voice for more tangible and coordinated climate action. The eight pillars include commitments to ensuring decision makers and boards are well educated on the crisis; resources are committed to root causes to reach the most vulnerable in society; the design of programmes is aligned with the just energy transition, and the source of funding is invested in a way that is compatible with a low carbon economy.

The amplifier effect of joining the pledge means that IPASA can leverage the collective influence and reach of members to raise advocacy and share evidence of where the most impact can be achieved. Lisa Chamberlain, Executive Director of the Environmental Justice Fund (EJF) emphasises the potential for climate philanthropy to address inequality and to elevate the voices of those most affected and draw on their knowledge to develop localised climate responses.

“While climate change is undoubtedly a crisis, communities on the frontlines are developing and implementing creative solutions to its impacts every day – solutions that make sense from a global South perspective and in the context of African cultures and realities. The Environmental Justice Fund is excited to be part of a growing community of funders who recognise the expertise that resides in local communities and are mobilising to ensure that resources get to where they are needed most, to the grassroots communities who bear the brunt of climate change impacts. Signing this pledge is an extension of that work and an important way that philanthropy in South Africa can contribute to the collective effort to both combat climate change and address inequality, as together we work towards a more sustainable and just world.”

The climate pledge is now live and available for independent funders to sign. Already, nine members have committed to signing the pledge including the Southern Africa Trust who have a Pan-African footprint. CEO, Alice D. Kanengoni explains that not committing funding and support to those making efforts to respond to it is a serious threat to all our other efforts towards a better quality of life, especially for those in the global majority.

2025 is poised to be a significant year for South Africa’s developmental objectives as the country prepares to host the G20 summit in November. The proposed theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ could not be more fitting for what has become the world’s most unequal society in a region warming at twice the global average. Speaking at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, President Ramaphosa affirmed his commitment to giving a voice to the Global South and galvanising cooperation from G20 members to act with increased urgency to reduce global emissions and honour the climate finance commitments made at international climate conferences.

The South African Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change offers all independent funders a tangible and practical way to commit to climate action. By acknowledging the urgent need to respond to the growing climate crisis and its direct impact on the communities they serve – particularly those disproportionately affected by it – funders can commit to integrating climate considerations into their strategies. More than a symbolic gesture, the pledge encourages funders to commit to meaningful, incremental changes that help build climate resilience.

The Lewis Foundation recently shared its rationale for signing the pledge. “We are learning rapidly about the climate change challenge we collectively face. But we should also see it as an opportunity to mobilise, align and integrate our efforts, as the IPASA pledge indicates. Through focused collective action, we can achieve anything.”

Signatories to the climate pledge, stakeholders and the media will be invited to an official launch event on 31 January 2025, to be held in Cape Town.