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The climate brokers: philanthropy and the shaping of a ‘US-compatible’ international climate regime

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Abstract

Philanthropic foundations are a mainstay of the international climate debate, and yet they are surprisingly absent from the mainstream academic literature. This article attempts to fill this gap by exploring how philanthropic foundations, through their grantmaking, field-building and convening efforts, sought to shape and orientate the international climate regime. In particular, we show how foundations have historically worked to incorporate US positions into the international climate process. While the foundations and strategies have changed over time, foundations have unfailingly worked to bridge the divide between the US and the international climate policy field.

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Notes

  1. https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2017/06/02/point-presse-a-l-issue-de-l-entretien-avec-michael-bloomberg-envoye-special-des-nations-unies-pour-les-villes-et-le-changement-climatique-et-anne-hidalgo-marie-de-paris-2 (accessed 16/10/19).

  2. https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2017/06/02/point-presse-a-l-issue-de-l-entretien-avec-michael-bloomberg-envoye-special-des-nations-unies-pour-les-villes-et-le-changement-climatique-et-anne-hidalgo-marie-de-paris-2 (accessed 16/10/19).

  3. https://www.americaspledgeonclimate.com/about/ (accessed 16/10/19).

  4. https://www.wearestillin.com/ (accessed 16/10/19).

  5. https://www.elysee.fr/emmanuel-macron/2017/12/14/diner-a-loccasion-du-one-planet-summit-organise-par-bloomberg.

  6. Michael Bloomberg (Bloomberg Philanthropies), Stephen Brenninkmeijer (Willows Capital), Richard Branson (Virgin), Bill Gates (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Eric Gimon (Hewlett Foundation), Christopher Hohn (CIFF), Caio Koch-Weser (ECF), Larry Kramer (Hewlett Foundation), John McCall MacBain (Pamoja Capital), Craig McCaw (Pendrell), Jean Oelwang (Virgin Unite), Kristian Parker (Oak), Laura Baxter-Simons (Renaissance, Sea Change), Nat Simons (Prelude Ventures, Sea Change).

  7. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2003/02/13/a-greener-bush (accessed 08/02/20).

  8. From the minutes of the Rockefeller Foundation file entitled ‘International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Studies’. 10/05/1973. Rockefeller Foundation Records, RG 1.8, Series 155, Box 1176, Folder 7949.

  9. From the first draft of report on climate change, food production and interstate conflict. Rockefeller Foundation Records, SG 1.3-1.8, Series 120, Box 662, Folder 4360.

  10. From the minutes of the Rockefeller Foundation file entitled ‘International Federation of Institutes for Advanced Studies’. 10/05/1973. Rockefeller Foundation Records, RG 1.8, Series 155, Box 1176, Folder 7949. From the first draft of report on climate change, food production and interstate conflict. Rockefeller Foundation Records, SG 1.3-1.8, Series 120, Box 662, Folder 4360.

  11. From the agenda and docket for the RBF executive committee meeting. 04/09/1991. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3, Series 2, Box 1447, Folder 9055.

  12. From the agenda and docket for the RBF executive committee meeting. 04/09/1991. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3, Series 2, Box 1447, Folder 9055.

  13. From the agenda and docket for the RBF executive committee meeting. 27/06/1989. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3, Series 2, Box 1446, Folder 9048.

  14. From the agenda and docket for the RBF executive committee meeting. 04/09/1991. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3, Series 2, Box 1447, Folder 9055.

  15. From the agenda and docket for the RBF executive committee meeting. 04/09/1991. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3, Series 2, Box 1447, Folder 9055.

  16. From a memorandum drafted by William F. McCalpin to RBF Files. 01/06/1989. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3, Series 2, Box 1446, Folder 9048.

  17. Environmental and Energy Study Institute: Proposal for a project to prevent global climate change. December 1988. Rockefeller Brothers Fund Records, RG 3.4, Box 98, Folder 539.

  18. Ghana, Brazil, Japan, Australia, Ireland, Denmark, Korea, Norway, Mexico, United Kingdom, Spain, Guyana, China, France, Poland, the European Commission, Russia, United States and Tanzania.

  19. The Brookings Institution, The Climate Group, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Pew Center on Climate Change, Stockholm Environmental Institute, E3G and IIED.

  20. Toyota, SunEdison, Shell, Tata BP Solar, Rio Tinto, WBCSD and World Economic Forum.

  21. Deutsche Bank, C-Quest Capital, Merrill Lynch and International Finance Corporation.

  22. Renmin University, Cornell University, Tsinghua University and LSE.

  23. NRDC, WWF, The Nature Conservancy and WRI.

  24. ClimateWorks Foundation, European Climate Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Packard Foundation, McKnight Foundation, Energy Foundation and Summit Foundation.

  25. Interview with author.

  26. http://www.wwf-jugend.de/leben/praktika-und-jobs/gruenepraktika-und-jobs;6022 (accessed 04/10/2016).

  27. About ACT 2015.pdf.

  28. These foundations are the Oak, Hewlett, Packard, Sea Change, Rockefeller and Energy foundations.

  29. Interview with author.

  30. Interview with author.

  31. https://ciff.org/grant-portfolio/climate-briefing-service (accessed September 9, 2015).

  32. https://www.climateone.org/events/donor-power-influence-climate-philanthropy (accessed 16/10/19).

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Acknowledgements

This article contains archival material from the Rockefeller Archive Center (RAC). I wish to acknowledge the RAC for granting me a research stipend to cover my travel costs to the Center. I also wish to thank the RAC team for their warm welcome, and in particular Bethany Antos for her encouragement and support throughout my stay at the Center.

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  1. University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP), 9-11 Rue de Constantine, 75340, Paris Cedex 07, France

    Edouard Morena

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Morena, E. The climate brokers: philanthropy and the shaping of a ‘US-compatible’ international climate regime. Int Polit 58, 541–562 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41311-020-00249-1

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