The Climate Brokers: Philanthropy and the Shaping of a ‘US‑Compatible’ International Climate Regime

Abstract

Philanthropic foundations are a mainstay of the international climate debate, and yet they are surprisingly absent from the mainstream academic literature. This article attempts to fill this gap by exploring how philanthropic foundations, through their grantmaking, field-building and convening efforts, sought to shape and orientate the international climate regime. In particular, we show how foundations have historically worked to incorporate US positions into the international climate process. While the foundations and strategies have changed over time, foundations have unfailingly worked to bridge the divide between the US and the international climate policy field.