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From Net‑Zero Pledges to Neighborhood Impact


How Corporates Can Fund Local Climate Solutions in Asia

By Tiffany Cao, Senior Philanthropy Advisor

With ESG reporting, new climate disclosure rules, and rising disasters worldwide, climate action is now central to the corporate agenda. Businesses now track emissions and adopt sustainable materials, infrastructure, and practices. This broad prioritization of sustainability and climate has seen a parallel in how companies approach their community investments. Environmental and climate grants from corporations are now Give2Asia’s second-largest focus in China, including mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Taiwan, with over US$14M invested from 2021–2024. 

Philanthropy is a powerful way for companies and foundations to demonstrate their commitment to climate solutions.

An opportunity to enhance your corporation’s environmental reputation

With concrete data collection on sustainability measures taking place on the business side, philanthropic projects are used in parallel as a way to bolster a corporation’s broad commitment to the environment and its brand as a sustainability leader. For corporate foundation and social impact teams, the alignment of philanthropic activities and business goals also helps secure continued funding in the face of a challenging economy and shrinking budgets. As a result, as foundations and social impact teams build out their long-term plans, many embed environment, sustainability, and/or climate as a core pillar in their community investment strategies.  

With consumers wary of greenwashing—or companies staying silent about progress—philanthropy offers a way to stand out: building goodwill, loyalty, and recognition as a sustainability leader. 

Embedding Philanthropy in Sustainability Strategy

PepsiCo’s pep+ initiative shows how companies can tie business commitments directly to the wellbeing of their supply chain communities. While philanthropic projects cannot directly benefit corporate donors, many companies now see community wellbeing, better use of resources like water and energy, reduced waste, and materials innovation as benefits that strengthen both their stakeholders and their own long-term sustainability efforts. 

Partners in China Advancing Climate Solutions

Within China, the nonprofit landscape abounds with local NGOs and GONGOs (government-organizations NGOs) that have been working to tackle climate solutions at all levels of impact through the advancement of sustainable corporate and industry practices; improved resource stewardship at the community, industry, and national levels; biodiversity preservation; and development of sustainability leaders and green workforce. 

Advancement of sustainable corporate and industry practices: Many Chinese nonprofits focus on ways the corporate sector can improve its sustainability practices or coordinate solutions within specific industries, like e-commerce and agriculture. In these ways, philanthropic funding provides a broad charitable benefit while also indirectly improving the sustainability of the corporation’s industrial and business practices. Examples include: 

  • Shenzhen Zero Waste: Works to build a circular economy by reducing e-commerce packaging and waste. 
  • China Association for the Promotion of International Agricultural Cooperation (CAPIAC): Promotes global exchange of sustainable farming practices. 

Improved resource stewardship at the community, industry, and national levels: For corporations looking to make long-term inroads on their environmental goals a climate-focused culture, pre-existing resources, and technical infrastructure can make a corporation’s path towards sustainable impact smoother. Examples include:

At the National and Local Level:
  • China Development Research Foundation: Runs large-scale projects that advance sustainable livelihoods and eco-awareness. 
  • China Environmental Protection Foundation: Promotes public environmental education and national recycling initiatives. 
  • Changsha Green Hunan Environmental Science Popularization Center: Promotes eco-awareness and sustainability at the regional level. 
  • Dalian Environmental Protection Volunteers Association: Mobilizes volunteers for community-based sustainability projects. 
  • DOMI Energy: Reduces household carbon emissions by upgrading homes with energy-efficient materials. 
  • Eco-Community Promotion Association of Dalian Development Area: Engages neighborhoods in local environmental initiatives. 
Private-Public Collaborations:
  • Tianjin Lingmeng Public Welfare Development Center: Works with other groups and businesses to reduce waste and improve management. 
  • V Cycle Company Limited: Recycles plastic waste into new products through business and community collaboration. 
Sustainability Innovations:
  • Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs: Develops tools to improve environmental data disclosure and accountability.

Biodiversity preservation: The maintenance of biodiversity is an important corporate sustainability consideration, as biodiversity loss can have an impact on supply chain stability and financial performance. Even if the use of natural resources is not directly related to a corporation’s market offering, commitment to biodiversity conversation underpins a corporation’s social license to operate in its office and employee locations. Examples include:

  • Shanghai Pudong LIFE Environment Protection Center: Leads the A Cleaner China initiative, which engages the public in cleanup actions, environmental education, and data-driven research to promote waste reduction and long-term community-led sustainability.. 
  • Suzhou Small Animal Protection Volunteers: Advocates for animal welfare and species protection. 
  • Wild Bird Society of Taipei: Protects regional bird species and their habitats.

Development of Sustainability Leaders and Green Workforce: The development of green talent through the upskilling of the workforce in sustainability competencies and through the incubation of promising green leaders can provide highly skilled workers to carry out corporate sustainability strategies and develop new solutions to industry-relevant climate issues. Examples include: 

  • Beijing He Yi Green Foundation: Supports grassroots environmental leaders with coaching, training, and resources. 

Final Thoughts

As climate risks grow, philanthropy can play a key role in corporate sustainability—complementing business commitments and strengthening a brand’s reputation as a sustainability leader. Whether building an eco-conscious culture or investing in technical capabilities, philanthropic funding can be embedded directly into a corporation’s climate strategy to catalyze long-term business goals.  

Through the 2025 giving season, Give2Asia will continue to spotlight climate initiatives from our donors and partners working to build a greener future in China.  

To learn more about how Give2Asia’s services can help your corporation reach its climate goals, connect with our team.  

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