A new Adaptation and Resilience Fund (A&R Fund) has been launched to deliver over $50 million to locally led climate adaptation solutions. The fund is a collaborative effort by several global philanthropic organizations including ClimateWorks Foundation, Howden Foundation, Laudes Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation. It aims to support people in low- and middle-income regions who are most vulnerable to climate risks such as extreme heat, floods, and droughts. Funded projects will include initiatives like early warning systems and innovative financial tools designed to bolster community resilience.
According to Jessica Brown of ClimateWorks Foundation, this initiative bridges local innovation with global efforts by investing in scalable, collaborative solutions. It builds on a previous commitment made by philanthropies in response to the UN Secretary-General’s Call to Action on Extreme Heat, recognizing that more than 2.4 billion people are exposed to dangerous heat each year. Initial grants will focus on combating extreme heat in urban regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Jess Ayers of the Quadrature Climate Foundation emphasized that resilience is crucial to achieving broader climate goals, noting that adaptation has long been underfunded. The fund seeks to shift power and funding directly to frontline communities, not just to help them survive climate shocks, but also to drive systemic and equitable transformation.
Elizabeth Yee from The Rockefeller Foundation highlighted the urgent nature of extreme heat, pointing out its current and growing impact, particularly on vulnerable populations. She stressed the importance of equipping cities with tools to protect residents, asserting that this fund addresses a major gap in preparedness and public health protection.
Currently, public finance accounts for only 10% of adaptation needs in low-income countries. Despite this gap, investments in adaptation can be highly cost-effective, generating returns of up to $42 for every dollar spent. The A&R Fund reflects increasing support for climate resilience, building on more than $650 million invested in the sector during 2024.
Amol Mehra of Laudes Foundation added that beyond moral obligations, climate adaptation also presents clear business advantages. Strengthening resilience can protect supply chains and mitigate long-term industry risks while creating economic value.
Claire Harbron from Howden Foundation echoed the importance of collective philanthropy, stressing that such collaboration can ensure funding reaches communities most affected by climate-related disasters. She emphasized that access to reliable information and resources is essential for an effective response to extreme weather, which continues to be one of the greatest global threats.
Later in the month, ClimateWorks will open a call for proposals aimed at supporting grassroots projects focused on extreme heat mitigation, economic stability, workers’ rights, and health improvement in low- and middle-income countries.
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