Climate Stewards

Charity Number: 1141108

Climate Stewards is a UK-based nonprofit organization focused on addressing climate change through tree planting, sustainable living initiatives, and carbon footprint reduction. Founded in 2007 initially as a carbon offset program of A Rocha International, it soon became an independent charity devoted to helping individuals, communities, and organizations mitigate their carbon emissions while promoting environmental and social well-being.

Mission and Activities

The core mission of Climate Stewards is to prevent poverty, protect wildlife, and absorb carbon dioxide, a major driver of climate change, by planting trees and supporting sustainable living practices primarily in developing countries. The charity seeks to empower vulnerable communities, often in Africa and other developing regions, through projects that enhance livelihoods and biodiversity while reducing carbon footprints.

Climate Stewards provides free online carbon calculators which allow individuals, churches, small charities, and businesses to measure, reduce, and offset their carbon emissions. Their calculators cover various lifestyle and operational factors including flights, driving, public transport, household energy, food, waste, and water usage.

Additionally, Climate Stewards offers consultancy services for comprehensive carbon footprint audits targeted at larger organizations. Through its innovative Seal of Approval standard, the charity ensures community carbon projects are sustainable, transparent, and deliver multiple benefits beyond carbon mitigation, such as reducing time and money spent on firewood collection, improving health, and increasing local biodiversity.

Partnerships and Projects

The charity actively collaborates with A Rocha National Organizations and other Christian partners to manage projects in countries including Uganda, Ghana, Nepal, Kenya, Peru, and Tanzania. It is part of the global A Rocha family, which works in 20 countries across five continents.

Climate Stewards also licenses its Seal of Approval to other NGOs operating community carbon projects, enabling them to access carbon finance in support of good environmental and social outcomes.

Financials and Governance

For the financial year ending 31 December 2023, Climate Stewards reported a total income of £337,930 and total expenditure of £227,283. The organization is supported by five trustees and one volunteer, with no trustees receiving remuneration. It does not have trading subsidiaries or employees with benefits over £60,000.

Christian Focus

Reflecting its Christian ethos, Climate Stewards encourages responses to climate change grounded in core Christian values. The charity provides resources such as prayer updates alongside practical tools to inspire and enable environmental stewardship.

Climate Stewards plays a significant role in linking environmental sustainability to social justice and faith-based motivation, contributing to global efforts against climate change through both grassroots action and educational outreach.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1141108&subid=0 [2] https://arocha.org/en/about/climate-stewards/ [3] https://www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/ClimateStewards [4] https://benefactgroup.com/movement-for-good/beneficiaries/climate-stewards/ [5] https://arocha.us/climate-stewards