Philanthropy:
Invest in people, projects, policies, and initiatives required for bold climate action
At Three Cairns Group, we believe in bold climate action that empowers people and communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world. We make philanthropic grants to advance meaningful climate progress through investments in policy advocacy, talent, communications, and strategic initiatives. Recognizing that ambitious change requires collaboration and flexibility, we take a nimble and open-minded approach to our work.
Our Climate Strategy
Three Cairns employs a multifaceted, people-centric approach to mitigating climate change. We recognize that public policy, talent development, and strategic investments in targeted sectors are key levers to accelerate climate action.
Policy Advocacy
Understanding the scale of change needed to adequately address the climate crisis, we support advocacy efforts to advance climate-friendly national, state, and local policies. By supporting the work of our key partners, we focus on high-impact areas with significant potential for emissions reduction through federal policy and rulemaking in areas including:
Clean Air
Transportation
Grid Expansion
Methane
We also support advocacy efforts at the state and local level can have far reaching climate impacts and set the stage for national progress. The scale of New York’s economy positions it to be a changemaker and leader on climate.
NYC Congestion Pricing Plan
New York City’s congestion pricing plan has long been a strategic priority for Three Cairns Group, due to its transformative potential to deliver safer streets, cleaner air, and better public transit. We have supported a range of strategies to help ensure its successful implementation, recognizing the profound impact this policy can have on the daily lives of New Yorkers and the broader region.
Environmental Defense Fund
As one of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems by linking science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working across more than 30 countries to turn their solutions into action.
Strategic Communications
Understanding public attitudes on climate is crucial piece to shape effective policy and drive momentum for climate progress and implement solutions. Three Cairns supports the work of several researchers and communications experts leading efforts at the intersection of strategic communications and climate.
Talent
People will be the engine that drives forward climate solutions. To advance change at the scale demanded by the climate crisis, climate leaders are needed across industries, geographies, and sectors. We support a diverse range of programs to build the pipeline of talent work in climate in the Global South, business, technology, and public sectors, and in local New York City civic life.
Columbia Business School, Climate Change and Business Program— Three Cairns Fellowship
The Three Cairns Fellowship at Columbia Business School supports MBA and EMBA students who complete semester- or year long projects in areas where business and climate change connect. The program is open to applications by individual students as well as teams, and offers resources for applicants working to address sustainability and climate change issues through markets and business knowledge.
Yale School of the Environment— Three Cairns Climate Program for the Global South
The Three Cairns Climate Program for the Global South offers financial and non-financial support to students from developing economies pursuing master’s degrees at the Yale School of the Environment, expanding access to advanced education and training for individuals working to address climate change in their home countries and regions. The program also provides continued support for its scholars – from support for summer work opportunities in their home countries to career development opportunities and counseling – and supports climate practitioners in developing economies who are enrolled in YSE’s online certificate programs.
Research University Partnerships
Research universities present unique opportunities to advance interdisciplinary climate solutions under one roof. We collaborate with institutions including Columbia University and Yale University to support climate research, policy development, technological solutions, and strategic communications. Our support has helped secure additional funding and establish new climate-focused initiatives at these universities.
People will be the engine that drives forward climate solutions. To advance change at the scale demanded by the climate crisis, climate leaders are needed across industries, geographies, and sectors. We support a diverse range of programs to build the pipeline of talent work in climate in the Global South, business, technology, and public sectors, and in local New York City civic life.
Columbia Climate School
Through its education programs, the Columbia Climate School provides the interdisciplinary knowledge base for future climate leaders to address the climate crisis through work with businesses, communities, governments, and civil society. Launched in 2020, the Climate School nurtures and supports innovative research in the science, consequences, and human dimensions of climate change, including the methods of achieving a more sustainable and just world. The Climate School translates its academic work into evidence-based analysis and advice to inform decision- and policy-makers in communities, governments, industries, and nonprofits in the US and globally.
Yale Planetary Solutions
Yale Planetary Solutions (YPS) is a university-wide initiative that accelerates climate and sustainability action by leveraging Yale’s expertise, research, and innovation. YPS highlights and supports efforts across operations, academics, and research while leading its own flagship programs, including grants, doctoral fellowships, and student project awards. Focusing on climate change, biodiversity and ecosystems, and communities and society, YPS fosters collaboration and drives solutions at local, national, and global scales.
Place-based Adaptation & Community Resilience
In line with our people-centric approach to climate action, we recognize and support several organizations leading efforts on climate adaptation and community resilience.
