Olive Tree Foundation joins the call to act on climate change

Olive Tree Foundation has signed on to the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change (https://philanthropyforclimate.ca/). The pledge is the first of its kind, and commits signatories to integrate climate considerations in all areas of work.

“We are proud to announce we are among the first 50 signatories to the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change,” said Muneeb Nasir, Chair of the Olive Tree Foundation. “Climate change impacts our work as funders and all issues on which we strive to have a positive impact as philanthropic actors.”

The Olive Tree Foundation is a Waqf, a public charitable foundation that promotes community development through the collection of endowed funds and charitable contributions, to fund services for the long-term benefit of the community.

The pledge builds on a global movement of philanthropic actors committing to apply a climate lens to their work and paves the way for improved coordination and learning across large numbers of funders.

It also calls on Canadian funders to recognize their fundamental obligations to Indigenous Peoples and to support the essential role of Indigenous rights, stewardship and sovereignty.

“I am encouraged that so many funders have recognized the intricate link between recognizing and uplifting Indigenous leadership and tackling climate change. Now we must ensure accountability and action,” said Kris Archie, CEO of The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada (The Circle).

The Commitment is a joint initiative of Canada’s largest funder networks including The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada (The Circle), Community Foundations Canada (CFC), Environment Funders Canada (EFC), and Philanthropic Foundations Canada (PFC).

Canada’s foundations, representing over 10,000 organizations with close to $100 billion in assets, have a common interest in prioritizing climate action.