RENEW

Opportunity

We are at a critical climate threshold. From the 2016 Fort McMurray forest fires, to droughts in many countries, to melting Arctic sea ice, we see increasing signs that humans are warming the planet and upsetting the balance that sustains life.

Recent government, marketplace and philanthropic sector changes in Canada have opened doors for strategic climate and energy work. It is no longer a question of whether we should take action for a low-carbon future, but how. Active, sustained collaboration from all parts of society, including philanthropy, is needed. By harnessing the power of collaboration and social innovation, we can move on the opportunities presented by a green economy and ensure a sustainable future for all people.

Our Approach

Canada’s challenge is to broadly shift, as quickly as possible, our energy systems and how our economy functions. Many actors are essential in driving this change, including municipal, provincial and federal governments, the private sector, civil society organizations and think tanks.

Our goal is to help ensure the long-term ecological health of the planet, while building social equitySocial equity: making sure everyone has equal access to community resources and opportunities such as housing, medical treatment, education, policing and transportation. and resilience. We can achieve this by encouraging low-carbon models in the corporate, community and public spheres, and by supporting effective national and regional climate and energy policies. Promising areas for development include energy efficiency, community energy systemsCommunity energy systems: networks for local production and distribution of low-carbon and renewable heat and power. and renewablesRenewables: energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale -- such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.. Using our powers of convening, granting and investing, we aspire to test and scale innovations that accelerate the shift to a low-carbon economy.

Focus Areas

Solutions Narratives for a Clean Energy Future

Moving away from emphasizing obstacles to achieving a low-carbon economy and toward exploring and developing solutions.

Supporting Businesses and Communities to Lead Change

Advancing a new economy based on a low-carbon footprint

Public Policy Engagement

Engaging with every level of government where opportunities exist for low-carbon policies, including electric and public transport investment, clean technology support, energy-efficient building subsidies, green procurement and more.

Solutions Finance for Green Energy Shifts

Reduce our carbon production by engaging with technology enterprises, social organisations, municipalities and investors to address barriers and facilitate innovation uptake.

Funder

We support a small portfolio of projects that take a systems approach and that focus on solutions to climate change. We pursue work that engages with businesses and other organizations to reduce their carbon footprint and support networks of stakeholders working to shift to a cleaner economy.

Investor

We seek opportunities to invest in funds that enable climate change solutions, especially in the development of renewable energy, energy efficiency and community energy.

Strategic Learning Partner

By collaborating with other foundations, non-profits, investors, experts and public agencies, we seek to learn from each other and inform and align common strategies for greater impact.

Advocate

We occasionally advocate for causes we espouse, such as strong climate change policies. We prioritize working with funders or as members of multi-sector collaborations in our advocacy efforts.

$600,000 - Regular Grant Clean Energy Canada will work to accelerate Canada's transition to a prosperous, low-carbon economy. It aims at broader and deeper collaboration between local and provincial governments, the private sector and civil society organizations working on energy transition, with a particular focus on BC, Alberta and Quebec.

$10,000,000

$300,000 - Regular Grant The Canadian Environmental Grantmaker’s Network will coordinate work to support scientific analysis, policy development, advocacy and government relations by environmental organizations involved in implementation of the Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

$525,000 - Regular Grant A grant from McConnell will help the Clean Economy Fund accelerate energy efficiency uptake in Canada, by engaging with utilities, decision makers and industry associations.

Impact & Lessons Learned

Environment

RENEW aims to promote the long-term ecological health of the planet by encouraging low-carbon models in the corporate, community and public spheres, and by supporting effective national and regional climate and energy policies.

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