Institutions and governance structures involved in promoting climate change solutions
Climate change is a current global issue that involves many actors working collaboratively and inclusively to find solutions. There are multiple organisations at local, regional, and international levels urging consumers, community activists, policymakers, artists, families, and others to step up and, hopefully, save the planet. For example, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change act at the international level. Below are descriptions of 25 exciting organisations working to solve the climate crisis (Reser, 2020).
- Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED); Arab Region
AFED’s mission is to promote environmental education and provide space for environmentalists to come together. They advocate for sustainable development and influence planners, decision makers, businesspeople, civil society, and media.
- Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN); Asia–Pacific Region
To build more resilience against the consequences of climate change, APAN supports adaptation across Asia and the Pacific Region. APAN provides resources and tools for planning, financing, and building adaptive societies. For example, it has publications on coastal zone management that can help coastal communities reduce damage from sea-level rise.
- C40 Cities, International
C40 brings together a network of megacities from around the world, allowing them to drive climate action through collaboration and knowledge sharing. New York City, Johannesburg, Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo, London, and Mexico City are just some of the cities on the list that have committed to the climate targets established in the Paris Agreement.
- Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC); Caribbean Region
The CCCCC works to co-ordinate the Caribbean region’s response to climate change by identifying solutions. The centre offers several tools and resources to help users take appropriate action in their communities. They also carry out several projects to address issues caused by climate change across the Caribbean region focusing on strengthening climate resilience in health, regional planning for climate-compatible development, and coastal protection for climate change adaptation.
- Climate Alliance; International
Made up of municipalities and districts, regional governments, nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), and other organisations, Climate Alliance is one of the largest European city networks dedicated to climate action. The Alliance promotes actions to slow climate change in both European municipalities and the Amazon River basin.
- Climate Action Network (CAN); International
CAN is a global network of more than 1,300 environmental NGOs. With hubs in regions including West Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, the network promotes governmental and individual action to address the impacts of climate change. CAN’s working groups address a variety of issues, such as agriculture, science policy, and technology.
- Climate Cardinals; International
With the belief that every person has the right to basic environmental education, Climate Cardinals’ mission is to translate climate information into the native languages of those who don’t speak English. With the help of 6,000+ volunteers, this youth-led organisation has worked in over 40 countries globally and helped 350,000 people understand climate change.
- Climate Collaborative; USA
Focused on natural foods businesses concerned about climate change, the Climate Collaborative breaks climate action down into three simple steps: commit, act, impact. To date, Climate Collaborative has tracked the public climate commitments of more than 760 companies. It offers a variety of resources and support to these businesses to help them reach their goals.
- The Climate Group; International
Climate Group is working toward net-zero emissions by 2050 by holding organisations accountable for climate commitments they make. International business and government leaders come together to make commitments during Climate Week NYC. Then, Climate Group holds them accountable by sharing the actions they’ve taken and connecting them to other groups with similar objectives.
- Climate Justice Alliance (CJA); USA
CJA brings together frontline, community-based organisations to lead the just transition from an extractive economy to a regenerative one. The 70 member communities are small grassroots organisations working locally to fight climate change with traditional ecological knowledge. CJA unites these members to scale up their impact nationally.
- Earth Justice; USA
Earth Justice uses the power of the law to protect communities’ and the planet’s health. With offices across the US, their work has helped to save wild lands, halt destructive logging and mining, and encourage more sustainable farming policies. Their sustainable food and farming programme strives to improve worker safety, promote climate-friendly farming practices, and reduce pollution by factory farms.
- Environmental Defense Fund (EDF); USA
EDF uses strategic partnerships, scientific and economic research, and advocacy to strengthen laws and policies that improve the environment and public health. To do so, EDF takes on a wide variety of cases, ranging from overfishing and food contaminants to pollution from the oil and gas industry.
- Environmental Working Group (EWG); USA
EWG researches how consumer products impact human health and the environment. A wide range of experts at EWG make it easier for consumers to understand the environmental impact of the products they purchase. EWG also annually releases the “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen,” which list produce (fruits, vegetables) with the least and most pesticide contamination, respectively.
- Friends of the Earth; International
Friends of the Earth uses the collective voice of grassroots members to speak truth to power and advocate for living in harmony with nature. They’ve caught the attention of large corporations and government agencies worldwide to insist that the rules of our political and economic systems must change if we are to combat the climate crisis.
- Gender CC; International
Gender CC was created as a result of the UNFCCC. It acknowledges that women play an important role in fighting climate change. This global network of organisations, experts, and activists are working to integrate gender justice into climate justice through raising awareness and empowering women.
- Greenpeace; International
Greenpeace is a global organisation founded in 1971. It uses peaceful protest and strategic communication to highlight environmental issues and promote solutions. Now in more than 50 countries, Greenpeace works to halt deforestation, protect ocean health, stop nuclear testing, and more. Through solutions rooted in social justice, they hope to help communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.
- Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL); Europe
HEAL works to shape laws and policies that protect planetary and human health and raise awareness about the benefits of mitigating climate change. Their goal is to create a toxin-free, decarbonised, and climate-resilient future. With over 90 member organisations, HEAL represents 200 million people across the 53 countries in the European region.
- Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN); International
As part of the indigenous environmental justice movement, IEN formed in the US after tribal grassroots youths and indigenous leaders gathered to discuss environmental assaults on lands, waters, communities, and villages. Today, it connects indigenous communities nationally and globally to protect sacred sites and natural resources, and support a just transition, carbon pricing, and the Green New Deal.
- La Via Campesina; International
A grassroots network of more than 180 international organisations and 200 million farmers, La Via Campesina fights for food sovereignty and better management of the world’s resources. The group promotes agroecological farming techniques that work with the earth and help to mitigate climate change.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); International
With simple online actions anyone can take, plus three million members and an international staff of experts, NRDC safeguards people, plants, animals, and natural systems. By making strong partnerships across the United States, Canada, China, India, and Latin America, NRDC is pushing for climate solutions like solar power, electric vehicles, and national limits on carbon emissions.
- Nature Friends International (NFI)
With 350,000 active members across the world, NFI advocates for environmentally and socially just tourism and protects natural and cultural heritage sites. It also provides activities and materials for experiencing nature and climate justice, such as an informative quiz about sustainable tourism.
- Oceanic Global; International
Oceans store carbon and are integral in the fight against climate change. That is why Oceanic Global combines grassroots initiatives with industry solutions to shed light on humanity’s essential relationship with the ocean. Through regional hubs in New York, Hamptons, Los Angeles, London, and Barcelona, Oceanic Global offers educational programming and community partnerships. The Blue Standard is their tool to help industries find sustainable vendors and improve their operations to keep the ocean healthy.
- South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA); South Africa
This group of 19 affiliate organisations advocates for clean air, clean water, healthy soil, and environmental justice in Durban, South Africa. Durban is a model city of sustainable development, and SDCEA regularly liaises with the community, provincial and local governments, industry, and commerce to promote a healthy, safe, and sustainable environment.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF); International
WWF is an international nonprofit that helps local communities access cutting-edge conservation science to protect natural resources. Local WWF chapters all around the world are tackling climate change by preparing for potential future disasters and studying how these changes will impact ecosystems and wildlife.
- Zimbabwe Small Holder Organic Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF); Zimbabwe
ZIMSOFF works to improve the lives of smallholder farmers across Zimbabwe who are practising sustainable agriculture. With over 19,000 members and four regional clusters, they fight for food sovereignty, land justice, and environmental justice at local, national, regional, and international levels. Through the support of agro-ecology, organic agriculture, and open-pollinated varieties, they hope to support more environmentally friendly agricultural practices that will help mitigate climate change.
Other organisations that contribute substantially to climate initiatives include 350.org, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Extinction Rebellion, Fridays for Future, Julie’s Bicycle, Our Kids’ Climate, Project Drawdown, Rainforest Action Network, Sunrise Movement, and Union of Concerned Scientists.
