Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa

Climate change is a significant concern in Southern Africa, with increasing reports of severe impacts from weather-related events. Through qualitative methodology, this article evaluates the progress of climate action financing and adoption with insights from 20 key informants from Southern African...

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Main Author: Keratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2495862
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author Keratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi
author_facet Keratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi
author_sort Keratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi
collection DOAJ
description Climate change is a significant concern in Southern Africa, with increasing reports of severe impacts from weather-related events. Through qualitative methodology, this article evaluates the progress of climate action financing and adoption with insights from 20 key informants from Southern African philanthropic organizations. This is aided through a risk aversion theoretical lens. In depth interviews were conducted between Oct 2022 and March 2023 with representatives from philanthropic organisations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana specifically. The study’s findings revealed significant gaps, opportunities, and barriers in climate initiatives, particularly as funding for these efforts remains under 10% of total philanthropic allocations. 80% of the respondents reported that less than 50% allocation of their budget went to climate action. More than half of the respondents reported having less than a 10% allocation of budget to climate activities. Amidst intricate dynamics, compounded by a dearth of regulatory frameworks and policies, along with enduring socio-economic adversities, the disparity between the imperative for climate action and its realization on the ground is starkly evident. The study also found that climate philanthropy is disproportionately driven by funding from the Global North, often motivated by trauma rather than a focus on achieving sustainable development goals.
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spelling doaj-art-61625eeac09847ba8c44894b1ff811d02025-08-20T03:13:22ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Social Sciences2331-18862025-12-0111110.1080/23311886.2025.2495862Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern AfricaKeratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi0Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South AfricaClimate change is a significant concern in Southern Africa, with increasing reports of severe impacts from weather-related events. Through qualitative methodology, this article evaluates the progress of climate action financing and adoption with insights from 20 key informants from Southern African philanthropic organizations. This is aided through a risk aversion theoretical lens. In depth interviews were conducted between Oct 2022 and March 2023 with representatives from philanthropic organisations in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana specifically. The study’s findings revealed significant gaps, opportunities, and barriers in climate initiatives, particularly as funding for these efforts remains under 10% of total philanthropic allocations. 80% of the respondents reported that less than 50% allocation of their budget went to climate action. More than half of the respondents reported having less than a 10% allocation of budget to climate activities. Amidst intricate dynamics, compounded by a dearth of regulatory frameworks and policies, along with enduring socio-economic adversities, the disparity between the imperative for climate action and its realization on the ground is starkly evident. The study also found that climate philanthropy is disproportionately driven by funding from the Global North, often motivated by trauma rather than a focus on achieving sustainable development goals.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2495862Climate philanthropyclimate actionsustainable development goalsSouthern Africasustainable developmentSociology
spellingShingle Keratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi
Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa
Cogent Social Sciences
Climate philanthropy
climate action
sustainable development goals
Southern Africa
sustainable development
Sociology
title Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa
title_full Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa
title_fullStr Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa
title_full_unstemmed Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa
title_short Are we there yet? Climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in Southern Africa
title_sort are we there yet climate philanthropy and the climate action sustainable development goal in southern africa
topic Climate philanthropy
climate action
sustainable development goals
Southern Africa
sustainable development
Sociology
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311886.2025.2495862
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