Low Carbon Future Funders Group

Background of the organization:

The Low Carbon Future Funders Group (LCFFG), an initiative of Environment Funders Canada, is dedicated to spurring strategic collaboration to advance a net zero carbon economy for Canada. The group is chaired by Annie Bérubé, Program Director at the McConnell Foundation. Activities range from shared learning to aligned funding to support the implementation of federal climate policies. Philanthropic members currently include: the Echo Foundation, the Trottier Foundation, the Catherine Donnelly Foundation, the Consecon Foundation, the Ivey Foundation and the Birks Foundation. Grantees include Climate Action Network Canada, Environmental Defence Canada, Ecology Action Centre, the David Suzuki Foundation, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, West Coast Environmental Law Association, EcoJustice, Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Équiterre and the Pembina Institute.

Grant Description:

The LCFFG is a collaborative of Canadian foundations and national environmental organizations that supports the development and implementation of stronger federal climate policies. This strategic partnership will support the implementation of the new federal climate plan A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy released in December 2020. This is the first time that Canada has a plan to meet, and possibly exceed our 2030 climate target. The commitments in the new climate plan are expected to significantly reduce our carbon emissions but civil society participation in its implementation is essential. This approach has fostered more strategic and operational collaboration among Canadian philanthropic foundations: streamlining the granting and reporting processes, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and amplifying fundraising efforts.

McConnell funding for 2021 will support national environmental organizations’ capacity to influence priority federal climate policy development to decarbonize many economic sectors in Canada, to reach the new goal of making the Canadian economy net-zero carbon by 2050.