Climate change

In everything we do, we recognise our role as an organisation in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change.

In 2021, we committed to ensuring our investment portfolio will be net zero by 2040 at the latest. Learn more about our approach to reaching net zero and our progress so far. We are also a signatory to the Funder Commitment on Climate Change. This means that we will report annually on our progress against its six goals. You can see updates below.

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  • Text over image saying: New blog - Land truths, when the fires are burning. Image below it shows a small group of people stand beside a shallow river, surrounded by low green shrubs and grass. Picture taking on an Esmée Fairbairn Foundation visit to the E
    12 August 2026

    Land truths, when the fires are burning

    As devastating fires have spread across parts of the UK this summer, it’s clear we are already feeling the impacts of climate change. In the media, there is a debate about rewilding. Some have blamed it for the severity of the wildfires. Others have said rewilding is a solution. Who is right?

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  • IYPC

    Lessons from co-designing the Youth-Led Creativity Fund

    Louise Chandler from our Involving Young People Collective shares her reflections from the co-design process for the Youth-Led Creativity Fund and what it taught her about power, responsibility and youth-leadership.

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  • White wall with lots of colourful post-it notes

    What do people think about Esmée Fairbairn Foundation 2026

    Read the key findings from a 2026 survey of successful and unsuccessful applicants on their experiences of working with Esmée, alongside what we plan to do in response.

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  • Gina Crane standing in the woods

    People can’t build for the future while they're fighting fires

    In Gina Crane’s final project for Esmée, she has been working with Oliver French to pull together six years of learning about Esmée’s strategy for Trustees. In this blog, Gina shares the challenges organisations we fund are facing and shares three things she'd like funders to do.

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