Ashden

What Ashden does

Ashden is a London-based climate change charity founded in 2001 by Sarah Butler-Sloss and registered in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (charity number 1104153). The organization operates with 11-50 employees from its headquarters in central London and exists to accelerate climate solutions through a portfolio of programs spanning awards, campaigns, toolkits, and policy advocacy. Core programs include the annual Ashden Awards (granting up to £25,000 to climate pioneers from the UK and Global South), the Let's Go Zero national campaign engaging 8,700+ UK schools toward zero carbon by 2030, the Climate Change Co-Benefits Toolkit for local authorities, and international programming covering Thriving Forests, clean energy investment, and the Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access (THEA) initiative.

Ashden's technology footprint is light and centered on program delivery rather than software products: the Co-Benefits Toolkit (8,000+ downloads, embedded in 100+ local authority climate plans) and the Learning Out Loud digital platform are the principal digital assets, with no disclosed APIs, integrations, or proprietary AI/ML components. Distribution is achieved through a mix of self-serve digital channels (school signups, toolkit downloads) and direct engagement with 80+ UK local and regional authorities alongside Global South partners.

Revenue is generated through a diversified charity model: individual donations and regular giving, corporate partnerships (including award category sponsorship), grants from trusts and foundations, and a paid consultancy line serving UK councils. Notable revenue signals include the £175,000 Thriving Forests programme for seven organizations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America in 2025, and the £3.5m five-year Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) partnership. Ashden's strategic emphasis for the 2025-30 cycle is on driving systemic change rather than purely showcasing solutions, and its recommendations have been adopted in UK government strategies including the Warm Homes Plan, Local Power Plan, and Education Estates Strategy.

Name

Ashden

Legal name

Ashden

Website

https://ashden.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ashden is a UK-based climate charity founded in 2001 that accelerates climate solutions through awards, campaigns, toolkits, and policy advocacy, serving UK local authorities, schools, and Global South climate innovators with grants, learning networks, and policy influence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Solutions Charity / Sustainability Advocacy Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA), Regulatory & Disclosure Strategy (CSRD/ESRS, ISSB/IFRS S2, SEC, TCFD) (EUABAKAH)

Keywords

• Climate solutions charity
• Sustainable energy awards
• Climate action programmes
• Renewable energy advocacy
• Green economy grants

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Ashden operates as a registered charity (number 1104153) funded by individual donors, regular giving programs, and public donations.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partnerships provide funding and support for Ashden's programs and awards. Companies can sponsor specific award categories.
3. Trusts and Foundations: Major funders include trusts and foundations that support specific programs such as the Thriving Forests programme and various award categories.
4. Consultancy Services: Ashden offers consultancy services to councils and organizations seeking to develop high-impact climate action, rooted in their deep knowledge of tried and tested climate solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ashden is a London-based climate solutions charity that accelerates innovative climate solutions through annual Ashden Awards (grants up to £25,000 plus publicity and investor introductions), the Let's Go Zero national schools campaign, the Climate Change Co-Benefits Toolkit for councils, regional learning networks, paid consultancy services for local authorities, and policy advocacy work targeting UK government climate strategies. Core activities span both UK local-authority support and Global South climate innovator programmes in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Product overview

Ashden is a climate change charity operating as a unified programme rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organisation delivers climate impact primarily through its award programmes, campaigns, and toolkits. Core offerings include The Ashden Awards (annual awards showcasing climate pioneers), the Let's Go Zero schools campaign, the Climate Change Co-Benefits Toolkit for local authorities, International Climate Solutions programmes, UK Climate Solutions initiatives, and Learning Networks for councils and communities. The organisation does not offer technology products per se but provides programmes, resources, and platforms for climate action.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Ashden Awards Annual awards programme showcasing extraordinary climate solutions from the UK and Global South; winners receive grants up to £25,000 plus publicity and connections to investors, funders and media. Designed for climate innovators, NGOs and social enterprises developing inclusive climate solutions.
• Let's Go Zero National campaign for UK schools, colleges and nurseries to be zero carbon by 2030; provides free guidance, resources and tailored Climate Action Advisors to enrolled schools.
• Climate Change Co-Benefits Toolkit Digital toolkit co-developed with local-authority staff to help councillors, politicians, finance directors and department heads make the case for climate investment by demonstrating co-benefits; downloaded 8,000+ times and adopted in 100+ local-authority climate action plans.
• International Climate Solutions programmes International programmes covering Thriving Forests, Powering Clean Energy Investment, and Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access, supporting climate pioneers across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
• UK Climate Solutions programmes Programmes supporting UK climate action across retrofit, low-carbon community energy, nature and adaptation, and climate-engagement-and-inclusion initiatives.
• Learning Networks Regional learning hubs connecting councils, communities and businesses across the UK to share climate-action insights and best practices.
• Ashden Consultancy Services Paid consultancy services offered to UK councils and organisations seeking to develop high-impact climate action, drawing on Ashden's evidence base of tried and tested climate solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Networks supporting over 80 local and regional authorities for climate action
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Better OrgcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal DEI consultants who helped colleagues better understand the lived experiences of racially minoritised staff and the structural barriers embedded in everyday organisational processes.
• Common WealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on events and reports including producing recommendations for a Local Power Plan that works for communities.
• Power Up Energy Access CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshden is a key member of the Power Up energy access campaign, working to unlock greater investment in access to clean energy for people in the Global South.
• Global Platform for Action (GPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access (THEA), a global advocacy and research programme from UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, focused on refugee energy solutions.
• Global Refugee-led NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in THEA programme working to empower displaced people through clean energy access and solutions.
• Chatham HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in THEA programme bringing research and advocacy expertise on refugee energy poverty.
• Local Government Association (LGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in adaptation learning networks, helping local authorities share information and implement tailored climate adaptation measures.
• Thames21coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with environmental charity Thames21 for nature-based flood defense solutions. Won 2023 Ashden Award for Local Nature Recoverers.
• Blueprint CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAshden plays a prominent role in advocacy coalitions including Blueprint Coalition for policy influence.
• Warm this WinterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCoalition of anti-poverty and environmental organisations working on energy efficiency and climate action, including Ashden.
• National Retrofit HubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAshden plays a prominent role in advocacy coalitions including National Retrofit Hub for housing retrofit policy.
• Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA £3.5m five-year network aimed at translating policy on climate change into action on the ground with local communities.
• Alliance of Civil Society Organisations for Energy AccessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner for COP28 events focused on clean energy access in the Global South.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Climate Group: International climate NGO that convenes governments, businesses and civil society and runs high-profile award and campaign programmes (e.g., RE100, EP100), closely comparable to Ashden's awards and council network model.
• Forum for the Future: UK-based sustainability charity running multi-stakeholder programmes, challenge prizes and learning networks; comparable to Ashden's mission of accelerating climate solutions and its combination of programmes, toolkits and convening power.
• Carbon Trust: Climate-focused organisation advising governments and businesses on decarbonisation strategy and running certification programmes; comparable to Ashden's consultancy work with councils and its UK climate-solutions portfolio.
• ClientEarth: Environmental law charity using litigation and advocacy to drive climate action; comparable to Ashden in being a UK-headquartered climate NGO that combines direct programmes with policy and legal advocacy.
• Green Alliance: UK environmental think tank producing policy analysis and convening leaders across climate, nature and resource policy; comparable to Ashden's UK policy advocacy footprint on Warm Homes and Local Power.
• Practical Action: International development charity working on energy access, climate resilience and community solutions in the Global South; comparable to Ashden's Thriving Forests and Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access programmes.
• UK100: Network of UK local authorities committed to clean energy and climate action; directly comparable to Ashden's 80+ council engagement and Co-Benefits Toolkit adoption in council climate plans.

Emerging players

• Climate Bonds Initiative: International NGO mobilising capital for climate solutions through green bonds and standards; comparable in its mission to scale climate finance but operating at the financial-market layer rather than direct community engagement.
• 10:10 Climate Action: Climate charity focused on community and school climate engagement; partially comparable to Ashden's Let's Go Zero schools campaign and community-energy programmes.
• Power for People: UK charity campaigning for community-owned renewable energy; comparable to Ashden's Local Power Plan and community-energy policy work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AshdenAwards
• Facebookfacebook.com/ashdenawards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ashdenawards.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/ashden_org
• Xx.com/ashdenawards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ashden