Philanthropy has a key role to play in supporting collective action on climate. However, environment and climate action funding remains low in Aotearoa (about 4% of all funding allocated) and funders are at very different stages in their understanding of climate issues and how they can contribute.

In response Community Trusts in Aotearoa have developed a Funders Commitment and a website designed to educate and inform funders as to what climate action is all about and what they can do to make a difference. The website is based around a ‘Tika Transition’, developed by Associate Professor Maria Bargh, which is a uniquely Aotearoa approach to a just transition.

In this session, we will:

Give some context around philanthropy and climate action in Aotearoa
Share the whakapapa of the Funders Commitment and funders climate action website
Share key content of the website, including the Tika Transition approach
Identify some calls to action for community groups and funders to connect and support joined up climate action.

There will be time for questions.

Linn Araboglos, who is the Chair of the Community Trusts in Aotearoa Climate Action working group, will be presenting this session alongside Aimee Kaio and Devon Judd who have developed the content and resources up on the website.

Linn Araboglos

Linn is the Chief Executive of Wellington Community Fund, a philanthropic funder giving out around $3 million dollars in grants, every year, in the Wellington region. Linn is the chair of the Community Trusts in Aotearoa Climate Action working group. Linn is a developer of partnerships and a believer in the power of collaboration for impact. An experienced leader across government, philanthropic, business and community sectors. Born in and living in Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Linn is invested in seeing communities thrive. Most of Linn’s career has been framed and driven by her passion to see equitable outcomes for people, particularly in relation to the wellbeing of children and young people.

Aimee Kaio

Aimee resides in Motupōhue, Bluff, and is a strong advocate for intergenerational well-being and for regional development. Aimee is very aware of the climate impacts on livelihoods, mahinga kai, resources and our people – ki uta ki tai. She currently works for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, as Regional Investment – Rūnanga Engagement Manager, and is a director and governor on a number of entities, across a range of national and regional sectors. She has a particular interest in the role science and mātauranga Māori plays in whānau and hapū well-being and their planning for their futures.

Devon Judd

Based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Devon has spent his recent years dedicated to advocating for climate justice. Currently studying at Te Herenga Waka, Devon has applied his learnings in youth-led climate action group, Generation Zero. From advocating for the establishment of Māori wards, to supporting anti-fossil fuel groups in Taranaki, Devon is committed to the power of grassroots, community-led.