Climate Breakthrough

Project FLARE, launched by Gita Syahrani (Awardee 2023) through the #ClimateBreakthroughAward program, is a strategic intervention to fundamentally reshape Indonesia’s economic structure. The ambitious initiative aims to shift Indonesia away from extraction-based industries toward a more sustainable model centered on responsible bioeconomy in one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters. It will target high-risk critical ecosystem areas most vulnerable to exploitation, leveraging Indonesia’s rich biodiversity to produce food, energy, and industrial goods while prioritizing sustainability and ecosystem health. If successful, this large-scale multifaceted initiative aims to reduce the GDP share of extractive industries by diversifying the non-extractive sector. Most significantly, Project FLARE is not just an environmental conservation effort, but a strategic economic transformation designed to position Indonesia for sustainable growth in the decades ahead. #Bioeconomy #Biodiversity #ClimateAction

Smile if you're a Climate Breakthrough Awardee ?? Smiles that shine as bright as their bold climate action. Joy, optimism, and groundbreaking ideas—all worth celebrating. Swipe through: James Mwangi (Awardee 2022), Nicole Rycroft (Awardee 2020), Sebastian Kind (Awardee 2019), Isabel Cavelier Adarve (Awardee 2022), and Kathrin Gutmann (Awardee 2021). #ClimateAction #ClimateFunding #Philanthropy

We’re excited to share that we’ll be bringing our message of bold philanthropy to this week’s 2025 Leaders Summit at Global Philanthropy Forum. Savanna Ferguson, our Executive Director, and Jessica Galeria, our Director of Philanthropy Partnerships, will be hosting a discussion on how philanthropy can take bigger bets to catalyze transformative climate action. This is part of our effort to accelerate the shift toward a more courageous philanthropic approach that truly matches the urgency of the crises we face, including climate change. We're looking forward to engaging with other leaders who are ready to push the boundaries of philanthropy.

The Energy Builders Project, launched by Jane Fleming Kleeb(Awardee 2023) through the #ClimateBreakthroughAward program, is tackling one of the most pressing challenges in America’s clean energy transition: overcoming resistance in rural communities where most wind and solar projects need to be built. With vast land resources, rural areas are crucial to scaling up renewable energy, yet opposition driven by cultural, economic, and political concerns often stalls progress. The groundbreaking initiative centers on two key innovations: Community Benefit Agreements and an American Energy Dividend. Unlike traditional development models where benefits mainly flow to landowners directly involved in projects, these tools ensure broader community participation in both decision-making and economic benefits. The dividend would provide direct payments to neighbors living within sight or hearing of clean energy projects, acknowledging their stake in these developments even if their land isn’t being used. They will work with local leaders to combat disinformation, promote fair zoning practices, and build unlikely alliances between farmers, ranchers, union workers, Tribal Nations, and climate advocates. If successful, this ambitious effort can offer a new model for transforming how clean energy projects are developed in rural America, potentially unlocking one of the biggest barriers to the nation’s climate goals.

Great advice is meant to be shared. For?#InternationalWomensDay, powerhouse Climate Breakthrough Awardee Tzeporah Berman is passing it on. Tzeporah (Awardee 2019) launched the?Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative?through the Climate Breakthrough Award program. Over 60% of Climate Breakthrough Awardees are women or women-led teams. Find stories of their leadership and ambition at climatebreakthrough.org

Jane Fleming Kleeb (Awardee 2023) knows that true leadership isn’t about individual strength—it’s about the strength you unlock in others. To her, alliances aren’t built on sameness but on shared purpose. Hear how those values helped her lead an unprecedented fight to stop the controversial #KeystoneXL pipeline. #ClimateAction

Bold climate action deserves bold philanthropy. Climate Breakthrough Awardees Nicole Rycroft and Mohamed Adow reflect on their journey through the Climate Breakthrough Award program and how climate philanthropy can better support those on the frontlines of the crisis. Selected together in 2020, they completed their tenures last year. Watch on our YouTube for the full conversation. Follow their work: Nicole at Canopy and Mohamed at Power Shift Africa

You won’t find a better #ThrowbackThursday story. Nicole Rycroft and Mohamed Adow, selected together for the #ClimateBreakthroughAward program in 2020, reflect on what stood out during their rigorous selection process. Now recent graduates of the program, they sit down for a memorable conversation about their tenures, climate philanthropy, and the connections they built with other visionary leaders through our program. #ClimateAction #ClimateFunding #Philanthropy

Real leaders build a better world and Mohamed Adow (Awardee 2020) is a prime example. In this video, Mohamed dives into climate action in Africa—the most vulnerable continent despite having the lowest emissions. And yes, he also shares his love for goats and camels when he’s not busy being the founder and executive director of?Power Shift Africa. #ClimateBreakthroughAward?#ClimateAction?#ClimatePhilanthropy

The Africa Climate Energy and Development Programme initiative, launched by Mohamed Adow (Awardee 2020) through the #ClimateBreakthroughAward program, represents a bold attempt to rewrite Africa’s energy future, moving away from the extractive models of the past toward a more sustainable and equitable system.? ? Africa is the most affected, yet least responsible for the climate crisis. The initiative, under Mohamed's Power Shift Africa, is built around a number of strategic pillars, including strengthened civil society campaigns, technical expertise development, and policy engagement with African governments. Success will be measured not just in renewable energy adoption rates across the continent, but in the creation of sustainable, people-centered energy systems that benefit local communities and economies. #ClimateAction #ClimateFunding #Philanthropy