Grantee portal 
Responding to climate change
Community Foundation North East recognises the challenge of climate change and our responsibility to support global efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy. Climate change affects us all. It’s not only an environmental issue; it’s about society and the economy, because it impacts poorer and vulnerable people the most. It’s also a local issue, because it’s in our own communities that we’ll experience climate change, but also where people and organisations can take action to address it.
As an endowed foundation, one of the biggest impacts we have is through our investments. The Board has adopted a responsible investment policy through which we seek to align with the United Nations Paris Agreement and commit to our portfolio being net zero by 2050 at the latest. Ideally, we wish to see credible early progress by supporting at least a 45% emissions reduction by 2030. Data from our investment managers shows that by 31 March 2025, the carbon emissions of our share portfolio had reduced to below 20%, well ahead of our target. The carbon footprint of our shareholdings was 72% lower than a comparable benchmark – an improvement on 2024 when we were 48% lower. Our managers also engage on matters relating to climate change. These areas are reported in our Yearbook.
