Who We Are
1. What is Energy Foundation China (EFC)?
Energy Foundation China is a U.S. 501(c)(3) independent, nonpartisan, non-governmental grantmaking charitable organization that provides funding for research and capacity building related to climate change and China.
Our legal name is The Energy Foundation, but given our substantial efforts in China, we are commonly referred to as Energy Foundation China (EF China or EFC).
2. Where is Energy Foundation China based and where does it operate?
Energy Foundation China is headquartered in San Francisco, and we have a representative office in Beijing. Our work is currently focused on China given the scale of its energy sector and its role in global emissions. While nearly all the projects we fund are in China, we also fund a small number in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia that are also related to climate change and China.
3. Why does Energy Foundation China focus on China?
China is the world’s largest energy consumer and emitter of greenhouse gases. Supporting progress on China’s low-carbon energy transition presents one of the most significant opportunities to address climate change worldwide. Despite geopolitical tensions, meaningful engagement in China on climate change and emissions reduction is in everyone’s best interest.
4. Who works at Energy Foundation China?
We are proud to have a staff comprised of highly regarded experts on climate change and the low-carbon energy transition. Our staff come from various cultural and professional backgrounds from across the public and private sectors. We hire based on professional competence, as well as fitness for specific roles inside our organization. We do not consider individuals’ political views in our hiring decisions, and we do not collect or track employees’ political affiliations regardless of where they are based.
5. Who is on Energy Foundation China’s board?
Energy Foundation China’s Board of Directors is comprised of leading experts on environmental science and policy with substantial business, philanthropic, and governmental experience directly relevant to our mission of accelerating decarbonization. Seven board members reside in the United States, one resides in China, and one resides in the United Kingdom.
6. Is Energy Foundation China affiliated with any government?
Energy Foundation China is a fully independent, nonpartisan, non-governmental grantmaking charitable organization. We do not accept funding from any government or political party. No government or party directs, or controls us or our grant-making decisions.
7. Does Energy Foundation China participate in activism, litigation, or lobbying?
Energy Foundation China is a U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides funding for research and capacity building related to climate change and China. We do not fund or engage in activism, litigation, lobbying, or electoral activities in any country. We are fully committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
8. Does Energy Foundation China seek to influence laws or policies?
Energy Foundation China provides funding for research and capacity building to solve the global climate crisis. While some of this research relates to identifying and modeling best practice policy solutions, we do not seek to directly influence policies in any country.
9. Are you connected to the U.S. Energy Foundation?
Prior to 2019, Energy Foundation China operated jointly with the United States Energy Foundation as a single institution. In order to increase operational effectiveness, Energy Foundation China and the U.S. Energy Foundation formally separated in 2019 to become two independent, U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. We now conduct our activities independently of each other.
What we Do
10. Where does Energy Foundation China’s funding come from?
Energy Foundation China is proudly funded by some of the world’s leading foundations, including the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and more. A list of our current, key funders is available here: Energy Foundation China Funders
11. Who are Energy Foundation China’s grantees?
Energy Foundation China makes hundreds of grants every year to leading policy research groups, industry associations, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations committed to sustainable energy development and the low-carbon energy transition in China and abroad. Our grantees are experts in key energy and climate fields including power, industry, transportation, cities, environment, low-carbon development, communications, and more.
12. What types of projects does Energy Foundation China fund?
We work to achieve greenhouse gas emissions neutrality and world-class air quality by finding and supporting solutions that help enable the transition to a low carbon economy.
Our work is currently focused on China given the scale of its energy sector and its role in global emissions. We support projects including research and pilot initiatives to inform stakeholders on how to reduce emissions, as well as efforts to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices for mitigating climate change.
You can learn more about our programs and initiatives here: Energy Foundation China Programs and Initiatives
13. What has been the impact of Energy Foundation China?
Since starting our work in China in 1999, Energy Foundation China has been a trusted partner in addressing climate, energy, and environmental issues in and related to China.
We have cultivated strong relationships with experts, innovators, and policymakers in China and around the world through supporting independent research, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder dialogue. Serving as a bridge between donors and implementers, we have helped inform evidence-based policy, driven innovation, and facilitated cross-border knowledge exchange — delivering benefits that extend far beyond China.
Our investments have played a pivotal role in landmark climate and environmental achievements to improve life for people in China and around the world, including China’s historic carbon neutrality commitment, dramatic urban air quality improvement, the scaling of livable cities, and many more. You can explore more of our 25-year impact here: Energy Foundation China 25th Anniversary
How to Connect With Us
14. Who can I contact if I have questions about Energy Foundation China’s work?
Information about how to reach us is available here: Contact Us
