The Just Returns Project
Clean investments · Real climate impact
Overview
Human-caused climate change remains the defining crisis of our time, and the call for bold philanthropic action for climate is now more urgent than ever. We know that the most impacted communities are building Just Transitions to Regenerative Economies–now. We know they have replicable and scalable solutions, grounded in justice and sustainability, ready to meet the climate crisis–now. We know their solutions cool the planet, build resilience, and are ready for investment–now. So why has philanthropy not caught up?
Climate Justice Alliance (CJA), together with our partners National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) and the Tishman Environment and Design Center at The New School (TEDC), launched the Just Returns Project, a multi-tiered research process to answer that question and provide clear, actionable pathways for philanthropy to move the needle in this crisis decade.
Read the Just Returns Project
Since research began for the Just Returns Project, the current US Administration has made forceful and accelerating attempts to dismantle climate and environmental justice work. At a time in which the need for resilience and mutual aid is only increasing, these threats are devastating to millions of families and communities across geographies and the political spectrum, along with the community organizations they depend on for healthy food programs, disaster relief, and life-saving heating and cooling centers. We believe this new reality puts our research into even sharper relief.
Because climate justice works to transform – rather than reform – systems of harm, its success is fundamental to our future, and to any effective philanthropic strategy. Funders — if ever there were a time to act boldly and publicly, a time to do something different — that time is now.
Put Your Money Where Your Mission Is: How to Make Your Investments Climate-Justice Aligned
In the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy’s research of 50 highly influential climate and environment funders in the United States and their stated missions, programs, and investments, we found from the perspective of accounting alone that most foundations’ investments practices undermine their grantmaking power and the ability of their grantees to make real and lasting change. They get less bang for their buck – all because of the ways they invest and lock up their endowments.
Put Your Money Where Your Mission Is: How to Make Your Grantmaking Practices Climate-Justice Aligned
Voicing the Power of Grassroots Climate Solutions: Perspectives on the Impact & Scale of Community-Led Action
Although environmental justice and climate justice organizations remain on the margins of funding, this study by the Tishman Environment and Design Center shows grassroots environmental justice and climate justice organizations are crucial for advancing systemic, intersectional climate solutions across multiple issue areas like food systems, legacy pollution, economic equity, energy transitions, social justice, and community development.
Learn More about Reinvest in Our Power and ways the Climate Justice Alliance is building the regenerative economy.
