How we work
Fossil fuels are the main driver of the climate crisis, which we currently find ourselves in.
For decades, climate science has stressed the urgent need for a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels.
Policymakers and businesses have made countless pledges to transition away from fossil fuels.
Yet, fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix. In 2022, new investments in and government subsidies to fossil fuels amounted to over 1.5 trillion dollars.
That is why we are supporting a rapid fossil fuel phase out.
Theory of change
We aim to reduce both supply and demand for fossil fuels by supporting organizations that challenge the ongoing financing of fossil fuels, challenge the social and political influence of the fossil fuel industry, and by supporting the transition to a sustainable economic paradigm.
1. Challenge Influence
The fossil fuel industry and other high-carbon industries are known to use an entire “industry of influence” (e.g., PR, lobbyism, advertising, sponsorships, etc.) to purchase social and political license, mislead the public, and obstruct and delay climate action.
KR Foundation supports organisations working to transform the influence industry with the aim of aligning it with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The current geographical priority areas are Europe, USA, and Australia.
KR Foundation’s work contributes to the following outcome: The social license and influential power of the fossil fuel industry has been reduced to a level that has enabled systemic transformations to happen at speed and scale in line with the Paris Agreement.
2. Challenge Finance
Financial flows and political decisions continue to enable the fossil fuel industry, and financial sector climate action primarily rests on voluntary initiatives, which have largely proven to be inefficient.
KR Foundation supports interventions that shift the narrative around climate-related financial and economic risks and that build political space for ambitious regulation of finance to stop the fossil fuel expansion in EU and the North Sea.
KR Foundation’s work contributes to the following outcome: The narrative around climate-related financial and economic risks has shifted, and ambitious regulation of the financial sector has been implemented in Europe and the North Sea region, ensuring a redirection of financial flows away from fossil fuels in line with the Paris Agreement.
3. Support Transition to a Sustainable Economy
The existing economic paradigm, promoted by fossil fuel interests, is simultaneously causing climate crisis and preventing climate action.
KR Foundation supports interventions that strengthen the growing ecosystem of new economy actors and promote an economic paradigm shift. This work is pursued in Denmark and internationally through the donor collaborative, Partners for a New Economy.
KR Foundation’s work contributes to the following outcome: The new economy field has expanded in size, influence, and strategic capability, enabling early phase developments of an economic paradigm shift to take place.
What we have funded
Application proces
KR Foundation does not accept unsolicited application. Applications are by invitation only and all proposals are developed in collaboration with the secretariat. All grants are approved by the board. The board convenes three times a year.