Environmental Action Fund Methodology
Developed in partnership with 1% for the Planet®, the Environmental Action Fund addresses the urgent and interconnected challenges facing our planet. This fund supports organizations committed to conserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems, fostering resilient communities, and promoting equitable resource management.
Nonprofit organizations play a pivotal role in addressing the global environmental crisis by mobilizing resources, advocating for systemic changes, and implementing impactful conservation programs. This evidence review explores the effective ways nonprofit organizations can achieve measurable environmental impact, drawing insights from 1% for the Planet’s evaluative framework. By understanding these factors, we can effectively guide funding toward impactful interventions that meet global environmental needs.
Importance of Protecting the Environment
The environment underpins human health, biodiversity, and planetary sustainability. Ecosystems provide critical services such as clean air, water, food security, and climate regulation. Yet, escalating threats like deforestation, pollution, and climate change jeopardize these systems. Conservation efforts, driven by nonprofits, are vital to safeguarding these services for current and future generations.
Current State of the Environment Globally
The global environment faces critical challenges, many of which demand urgent action. Climate change is a dominant threat, with rising global temperatures causing extreme weather events, melting ice caps, and rising sea levels. These phenomena disrupt ecosystems and human communities, increasing vulnerability to natural disasters and resource shortages (Donatti et al.).
Biodiversity is under severe pressure, with species extinction rates accelerating due to habitat destruction, poaching, and invasive species. Over 44,000 species are currently at risk of extinction, posing grave consequences for ecosystems and their ability to provide essential services (Langhammer et al.).
Pollution, including toxic chemicals and plastic waste, continues to contaminate air, water, and soil, affecting human health and ecosystems. Water systems, in particular, suffer from industrial and agricultural runoff, threatening freshwater ecosystems and clean drinking water sources (Qin et al.).
Resource depletion is another pressing issue, with unsustainable exploitation of forests, fisheries, and arable land destabilizing ecosystems. The need for more sustainable resource management practices has never been greater, especially in regions facing water scarcity and deforestation ("Nature-Based Solutions").
These pressing environmental issues require coordinated, equitable, and evidence-based interventions. The subsequent section examines successful strategies and programs that have demonstrated measurable success in addressing these challenges.
Effective Programs Addressing Environmental Issues
Research identifies four key areas as the most effective in protecting the environment: biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient communities, and equitable resource management. Langhammer et al. (2024) emphasize that successful programs also integrate local community participation, evidence-based practices, and scalable interventions.
Controlling invasive species on islands has significantly improved nesting success rates for vulnerable species like sea turtles, underscoring the value of targeted predator management (Langhammer et al.). Protected areas, when effectively managed, have proven to halt or reverse biodiversity loss in two-thirds of analyzed cases across diverse ecosystems (Kimbrough). These efforts highlight the importance of focused conservation efforts to preserve critical species and habitats.
Initiatives such as reforestation and coral reef restoration have delivered substantial ecological benefits. Reforestation projects mitigate carbon emissions, improve soil health, and enhance ecosystem functionality. Similarly, marine habitat restoration, including coral reef rehabilitation, safeguard biodiversity and bolsters coastal resilience (Seddon et al.).
Programs that integrate local community participation have shown success in building climate resilience. Evidence-based interventions, such as community-led disaster preparedness and adaptive farming techniques, empower local populations to withstand environmental shocks and disruptions, particularly in regions prone to climate-related disasters (Langhammer et al.).
Implementing sustainable agricultural practices and managing freshwater resources effectively has proven to balance human needs with ecological sustainability. For example, initiatives that reduce agricultural runoff and promote eco-friendly farming practices help protect water systems while sustaining livelihoods. Equally important are efforts to ensure equitable access to natural resources, respecting the rights of local communities and fostering sustainable economic opportunities ("Nature-Based Solutions").
The success of these programs demonstrates that well-planned interventions can yield tangible environmental and social benefits. Building on these and our partner's insights, our Environmental Action Fund integrates proven strategies into its selection criteria, as discussed in the next section.
Causeway Fund Methodology
This Causeway Fund was developed through a strategic partnership with 1% for the Planet®, leveraging their expertise in identifying and supporting effective environmental nonprofits. For nearly two decades, 1% for the Planet® has set a gold standard in environmental philanthropy by building a network of vetted organizations committed to working toward a wide array of environmental solutions. Their robust understanding of environmental challenges and solutions has informed the Environmental Action Fund’s criteria, ensuring alignment with their proven impact areas.
1% for the Planet’s core impact areas -Rights to Nature, Conservation & Restoration, Resilient Communities, and Just Economies- are built upon the strategies above, simplifying the process of identifying effective organizations while maintaining an intersectional approach. Each impact area encompasses four specific impact targets; many of the 16 impact targets are at the intersection of social and ecological issues and align closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Marginalized communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, making it essential to integrate people and the planet within a shared framework of sustainability. By weaving environmental and social action into its core impact areas, 1% for the Planet® underscores its commitment to equity.
Rights to Nature initiatives empower communities by providing tools and frameworks to manage and steward their local environments sustainably. This approach is supported by research emphasizing community-led conservation as a key to success (Langhammer et al.). Conservation & Restoration programs reflect evidence of the effectiveness of habitat protection and biodiversity preservation, shown to prevent species loss and restore ecosystem functions (Kimbrough). Resilient Community projects incorporate climate adaptation strategies, building the capacity of local populations to withstand environmental shocks and disruptions — a necessity in regions facing climate-related disasters (Donatti et al.). Finally, Just Economies address the critical need for sustainable livelihoods by fostering economic opportunities that align with environmental preservation and reducing the dependence on extractive or destructive practices ("Nature-Based Solutions").
Specifically, the fund draws on three key criteria:
- 1% for the Planet® Criteria: Organizations supported by the 1% for the Planet® Environmental Action Fund must demonstrate a strong alignment with 1% for the Planet’s impact areas. These areas, grounded in evidence-based strategies, ensure that selected nonprofits contribute to measurable outcomes in nature conservation, climate resilience, and community empowerment. Organizations must showcase their ability to integrate equity and justice into their environmental approaches, emphasizing sustainability for both people and the planet.
- Charity Navigator Score: Organizations must have a 4-star rating with a minimum score of 95 or above on Charity Navigator, with at least two Beacon assessments to demonstrate strong, effective programs and a commitment to transparency with their stakeholders.
- Focus on Equity: Organizations have a complete Culture and Community beacon, further demonstrating a commitment to integrate equity practices into their environmental work.
This framework underpins the selection of organizations for maximum effectiveness, creating pathways for sustained and equitable environmental progress.
Fund Allocation
The Environmental Action Fund will allocate resources equally among selected organizations. This equal distribution approach reflects the diversity of nonprofit missions supported by the Environmental Action Fund, from conserving biodiversity and protecting ecosystems to addressing environmental justice and empowering communities. Equal allocation underscores the Environment Action Fund’s commitment to fostering a broad spectrum of impact across its chosen organizations, each uniquely equipped to address critical environmental challenges. While each organization operates within its specialized mission, its shared dedication to evidence-based strategies and measurable impact aligns with the Environmental Action Fund’s overarching goal of sustainable and responsive environmental action.
Justification for Selected Organizations
Surge for Water addresses critical freshwater needs by providing access to clean water through sustainable infrastructure and education programs. This aligns with the Freshwater Ecosystems target area by promoting water security and empowering communities to maintain these systems, particularly in regions vulnerable to water scarcity and contamination.
TWP’s reforestation initiatives and sustainable energy programs restore degraded lands while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Their work directly supports the Terrestrial Ecosystems target area by improving biodiversity and soil health while mitigating climate change impacts.
Groundwork USA transforms the natural and built environment of low-resource communities to advance health, equity, and resilience, addressing the Sustainable Cities target area. By improving environmental health and fostering community engagement, the organization promotes equitable access to nature and strengthens urban resilience.
Woodwell conducts groundbreaking climate research to inform policies and interventions, aligning with the Climate Adaptation target area. Their work directly addresses global climate challenges by providing data-driven solutions for mitigation and adaptation.
DarkSky International combats light pollution to protect nocturnal ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and energy efficiency. This aligns with the Terrestrial Ecosystems target area by addressing a critical but often overlooked environmental issue.
Rainforest Connection leverages innovative technology to monitor and prevent illegal deforestation, protecting critical habitats and reducing biodiversity loss. Their efforts align with the Biodiversity & Wildlife target area by preserving some of the planet’s most vital ecosystems.
Unite to Light provides solar-powered solutions to underserved communities, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy equity. Their work supports the Renewable Energy target area by promoting clean energy access and reducing carbon emissions.
GreenWave’s sustainable ocean farming methods enhance marine biodiversity while providing sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. Their innovative approach aligns with the Marine Ecosystems target area, offering scalable solutions to food security and climate change.
Nonprofit organizations are at the forefront of efforts to protect the environment, leveraging innovative strategies and community engagement to achieve lasting impact. By adhering to rigorous selection criteria and focusing on proven impact areas, the Environmental Action Fund ensures that resources are directed toward the most effective programs. Together, these efforts contribute to a sustainable and equitable future for the planet.
References
- Donatti, Camila I., et al. "Global Hotspots of Climate-Related Disasters." International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2024.
- Kimbrough, Liz. "New Study Says Conservation Works, Providing Hope for Biodiversity Efforts." Mongabay, 1 May 2024.
- Langhammer, Penny F., et al. "The Positive Impact of Conservation Action." Science, vol. 384, no. 6694, 2024, pp. 453-458. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adj6598.
- Qin, Siyu, et al. "An Inclusive, Empirically Grounded Inventory Facilitates Recognition of Diverse Area-Based Conservation of Nature." One Earth, 2024.
- Seddon, Nathalie. "Guidelines for Successful, Sustainable, Nature-Based Solutions." Global Change Biology, 2021.
- "Nature-Based Solutions: Harnessing the Power of Ecosystems in Climate Change Mitigation." Penn LPS Online, 2024.
Conflict of Interest Statement
1% for the Planet is a registered 501(c)3 organization and is currently rated on our platform. Their partnership in developing the fund’s criteria has had no influence on their own rating or evaluation. We maintain a rigorous and impartial assessment process to ensure transparency and integrity in all our ratings.
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