1. Who is the Energy Foundation?
The Energy Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan, non-governmental U.S. charitable organization that makes grants to support research and capacity building related to climate change. We do not accept funding from any government or political party. No government or political party directs or controls us or our grant-making decisions. The Energy Foundation is and remains committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
Given that climate change is one of the greatest global threats and China plays a significant role in global emissions, meaningful engagement in China on decarbonization provides a global benefit and serves the interest of all. Given our substantial efforts in China, we are also referred to as Energy Foundation China.
2. Where do we work?
The Energy Foundation is based in San Francisco, and we have a representative office in Beijing, China, given the country's energy sector scale and its role in global emissions. We believe meaningful engagement in China on decarbonization provides a global benefit and serves the interests of all. Therefore, our work is currently focused on China and nearly all the projects we fund are in China.
3. Why do we 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 here?
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 our board?
The Energy Foundation’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. The majority of members are based in the U.S. while the rest are based across Europe, North America, and Asia.
6. Where does our funding come from?
We are funded by some of the world’s leading charitable foundations. We do not accept funding from any government or political party.
7. Who are our grantees?
The Energy Foundation makes grants 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. Our grantees are experts in key energy and climate fields including power, industry, transportation, cities, environment, low-carbon development, communications, and more.
8. What types of projects do we fund?
We work to advance greenhouse gas neutrality, world-class air quality, universal energy access, and green growth by transforming energy systems. 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 develop and share evidence-based practices for mitigating climate change. You can learn more about our programs and initiatives here: Our Work.
9. What has been our impact?
The Energy Foundation began its work in China in 1999, recognizing the scale of China’s energy sector and emissions. As an independent, nonpartisan grantmaker, we help accelerate the transition away from coal, scale clean and renewable energy, improve air quality, and reduce emissions across industry, buildings, and transportation. We work with policy research groups, industry associations, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations, and have supported over 4,000 projects in China, focusing on four regions contributing to 50 percent of national carbon dioxide emissions.
10. Are we affiliated with any government?
The Energy Foundation is a fully independent, nonpartisan, non-governmental 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.
We are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate, including the requirements applicable to international NGOs with registered offices in China. Such compliance is a legal obligation and does not imply political alignment with, or representation of, any government.
11. Do we participate in activism, litigation, or lobbying?
The Energy Foundation is a U.S. 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides funding for research and capacity building related to climate change. 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.
12. Does The Energy Foundation seek to influence laws or policies in the U.S.?
The Energy Foundation provides funding for research and capacity building to address climate change worldwide. While some of this research relates to identifying and modelling best practice policy solutions, we do not seek to directly influence policies in any country. The grants we made to U.S. organizations are related to addressing climate change in China and are in no way related to influencing U.S. energy policy.
13. How to connect with us?
Information about how to reach us is available here: Contact Us
