McKnight Foundation Commits $100 Million to Address Climate Change

The Minneapolis-based McKnight Foundation has announced a five-year, $100 million commitment to support a comprehensive strategy to prevent climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from key regions around the world.

McKnight will partner with the Hewlett and Packard foundations to provide baseline funding for ClimateWorks, a globally distributed network of philanthropic, technical, and policy advocacy organizations and individuals. In turn, ClimateWorks will partner with others to stem the creation of large, new sources of carbon emissions; promote the adoption of a carbon cap-and-trade system in the United States; help establish the next generation of international carbon-reduction policies; and prevent deforestation in the world's largest tropical forests. McKnight also will continue its support for the Energy Foundation, a longtime grantee, and will provide support on a selective basis for policy reform and carbon-reduction efforts in the Midwest.

The commitment complements about $100 million in grants that McKnight has awarded since 1991 to protect the Mississippi River Basin and promote the development of renewable energy in Minnesota and the Midwest.

"Decisions we all make in the next ten years will affect the planet's climate and its people for generations," said McKnight president Kate Wolford. "Without immediate action, climate change will put at risk all those served by our programs. As a private foundation, McKnight has the flexibility and the resources to respond strategically to this extraordinary challenge."

“McKnight Pursues Comprehensive Strategy to Address Global Climate Change.” McKnight Foundation Press Release 3/19/09.

Primary Subject: Environment
Location(s): International

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