egret on Tuesday January 4, 2022

Grants & Funding Opportunities for ClimateTech, CleanTech and Circular Economy Companies

In this article, we share some of the climate-focused funding opportunities that we have come across in our work for clients of our sustainability marketing agency Orange Bird. Our goal in doing so is to provide a resource that helps connect the players for climate action with funding opportunities to effectively advance their work.

Background and support for external funding of climate action

Human enterprise has been an accelerator of climate change for more than two centuries. In the relatively short period since the industrial revolution, the exploitative and wasteful activity of modern civilization has snowballed, and the result is that our planet’s rate of warming is increasing 50x faster than the previous millenia. The window of opportunity is urgent to stop and reverse the damage. At Orange Bird, we are strongly concerned about taking urgent action for a healthier planet and society. That is why we focus our efforts on providing marketing support for organizations that are earnestly working toward sustainability.

Fortunately, there are several indicators that the climate movement is gaining momentum. Governments, businesses and consumers are all waking up to the possibility that we can and must change the way we live and work in almost every way to quickly trade harmful activities for those that enable healing and regeneration of our environment.

The Paris Agreement of 2015 and this year’s COP26 are important milestones in the climate action timeline where many governments and industries reinforced and doubled down on their pledges to lower emissions. More and more, consumers and voters are making choices influenced by sustainability. Yet, a transformation of the scale and reach that is needed requires significant funding. Happily, philanthropists and investors are also actively seeking opportunities to support initiatives that will have a positive impact on the climate crisis. Climate tech and cleantech companies are in a better position than ever to find the funding they need to develop climate tech innovations, decarbonization methods, circular economy infrastructure, conservation efforts and other climate action initiatives.

In this article, we share some of the climate-focused funding opportunities that we have come across in our work for clients of our sustainability marketing agency Orange Bird.

Funding Opportunities for Climate Action Initiatives

Orange Bird has compiled the following list of organizations that fund or invest in climate action initiatives and companies. Our goal in doing so is to provide a resource that helps connect the players for climate action with funding opportunities to effectively advance their work.

European Climate Action Funding Opportunities

UNDP uses contributions from UN member states to fund initiatives that support the 2030 Agenda. In 2020, 13% of expenditures were allocated to nature, climate and energy. Product and service providers can search procurement opportunities and set up tender alerts.
European Climate Foundation supports a wide range of organizations that work to impact the climate crisis. About 75% of their grants are distributed in Europe.
European Commission LIFE Programme funding is awarded based on successful proposals for areas of nature and biodiversity, circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, clean energy transition, and operating grants for nonprofits. SMEs or start-ups can also apply for support through the LIFE close-to-market program.
European Commission Innovation Fund supports small-scale and large-scale projects that are designed to demonstrate innovative low-carbon technologies.
Climate Endowment Group invests in hydropower and forestry.
Laudes Foundation, newly launched in 2020, provides grants worldwide with focus areas that include ethical fashion and the built environment.
Worldfund invests in scalable climate tech startups in Europe with a focus on energy, food & agriculture, industry & manufacturing, transportation, and buildings.
InnoEnergy is an accelerator that is focused on sustainable energy innovations to decarbonize Europe.
Clean Tech Delta supports projects within the focus areas of circular economy, energy transition and smart city within Europe.
Circular Innobooster provides funding for circular fashion and textile SMEs in Europe up to €12,000.
Climate-KIC provides grants for partial funding of commercial products that achieve a positive climate impact. Climate-KIC also has an incubator, ClimateLaunchpad and an accelerator ClimAccelerator to support startups.
Google Ad Grants help nonprofits reach their audience and communicate their message with text ads at no cost.

Environmental Funding Opportunities in the US

Climateworks Foundation, a US-based philanthropy organization, provides grants for climate action initiatives worldwide and focuses on carbon dioxide removal, cooling, finance, food & agriculture, forests & land use, governance & diplomacy, industry, power, super pollutants and transportation.
MacArthur Foundation provides grants and investments for positive impact, including a focus on climate solutions particularly in the US and India.
Closed Loop Partners invests in solutions to scale a circular economy in North America.
Atmos Financial, a US-based organization, supports climate-focused nonprofits through consumer banking deposits.
The Nature Conservancy’s U.S. Natural Climate Solutions Accelerator program provides grants for innovative and scalable approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and storing carbon on natural and working lands.
Grants.gov is the portal for funding programs of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit provides some helpful resources related to funding opportunities for climate and environmental action in the U.S.
Google Ad Grants help nonprofits reach their audience and communicate their message with text ads at no cost.

Climate Action Funding Opportunities in Developing Countries

The GEF Small Grants Programme finances community-led initiatives in developing countries with a goal to impact global environmental challenges.
Climate Investment Funds provides investments in clean technology, energy access, climate resilience and sustainable forests that impact developing countries.

Climate Tech VC publishes a dynamic list of climate-focused venture capital firms and accelerators.
Climate Marketplace is a platform to connect early-stage cleantech startups and investors.
Climatescape provides an open directory of climate funding opportunities – including grants, venture capital and accelerators – which can be filtered by focus area and location.

How Orange Bird Can Help

At Orange Bird, our sustainability marketing agency is founded on the idea that everyone can use their skills and resources for a healthy planet and society. Orange Bird provides marketing services to climate tech and cleantech companies, eco-fashion businesses, sustainable cities, and other organizations that are taking action on climate. We help sustainable organizations communicate and deliver their value for people and the planet.

Next Steps

Orange Bird is ready to discuss marketing strategies to help you achieve your climate action goals or assist with special projects like researching and applying for grants or funding opportunities, or preparing the required materials for investors. Contact us using the form below to start a conversation.

Contact Us:

cleantech, funding, greentech, service innovation

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