PLANET

We recognise the climate and nature crisis as a profound threat to both present and future generations. Its social and economic impacts are wide-ranging — affecting health, food and water security, housing, employment, and so much more. Crucially, it exacerbates existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting those who have contributed least to the problem and are most vulnerable to its consequences.

Our approach combines local action with national influence. Through a trustee-founded renewable energy company, we are helping to reduce emissions and model sustainable practice within our community, demonstrating what a fair, low-carbon transition can look like in practice. Drawing on this real-world experience, we also contribute to shaping national strategies that support and accelerate decarbonisation - helping ensure the UK’s climate goals are both ambitious and achievable. This grounded understanding informs our engagement with policymakers and industry partners, and our advocacy for a future that is not only low carbon but fairer, cleaner, and more hopeful.

Through our climate grants, we aim to influence and support the UK’s leadership in climate mitigation. We prioritise organisations that use legal, policy, and financial levers to reduce emissions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Our multi-year funding supports a range of actors — from think tanks and legislators to litigators, campaigners, researchers, and educators — all working towards systemic change.

While The Pickwell Foundation has distinct programmes focused on climate and displacement, we recognise that these challenges are increasingly interrelated. Climate change is driving new patterns of human movement and displacement, acting as a ‘threat multiplier’ alongside political instability and conflict. Together with other UK trusts and foundations, we are committed to deepening our understanding of — and response to — the intersections between climate change, migration, and social justice.

In 2025 and 2026, we are collaborating with our colleagues at Unbound Philanthropy to host a funder learning series focused on the intersection of climate change and migration. The aim is to build understanding, dialogue, and connection across UK funders working in these overlapping fields — strengthening the collective response to two of the defining challenges of our time.