CLIMATE CHAMPIONS CIC

What CLIMATE CHAMPIONS CIC does

Climate Champions CIC is a UK-registered Community Interest Company and a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc., that operates as the secretariat for the Climate High-Level Champions — a role formally established at COP21 (Paris, 2015) within the UNFCCC process. Its core function is to coordinate the Global Climate Action Agenda, mobilizing non-State actors — businesses, investors, cities, subnational governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and communities — to support national governments in implementing the Paris Agreement. The organization manages the Marrakech Partnership framework (launched at COP22), 30 Activation Groups across six thematic axes (energy/industry/transport; forests/oceans/biodiversity; agriculture/food systems; cities/infrastructure/water; human/social development; and enablers including finance, technology, and capacity-building), and 117 Plans to Accelerate Solutions published on the UNFCCC Global Climate Action Portal (NAZCA).

Its core 'products' are coordination frameworks rather than software: the Global Climate Action Agenda, the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns, the 2030 Climate Solutions and Breakthroughs frameworks, the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, Regional Platforms for Climate Projects (showcasing approximately USD 4.4 billion in ventures), the Granary of Solutions platform, and the annual Yearbook of Global Climate Action. The Istanbul Platform on Zero Waste for Climate Action (COP31) and the Belém Health Action Plan (COP30) are recent additions. Two-year Champion terms (currently Samed Ağırbaş for COP31 Türkiye and Dan Ioschpe for COP30 Brazil) pass COP-to-COP, with Lisa Larsen serving as Executive Director of the distributed global team.

The business model is non-commercial: the organization generates no product or service revenue and is funded through philanthropic grants, government contributions, and institutional donor support routed through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. GTM motion is event-driven and community-led, centered on COP summits, Regional Climate Weeks, and Activation Group convenings rather than sales. Reporting relationships run to the UNFCCC parties and COP presidencies, with participation voluntary for non-State actors.

Name

CLIMATE CHAMPIONS CIC

Legal name

Climate Champions

Website

https://climatechampions.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Climate Champions CIC is a UK-registered nonprofit and fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors that operates as the UNFCCC Climate High-Level Champions secretariat, coordinating 480+ climate initiatives and 40,000+ non-State actors across six thematic axes to support implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Action Coordination Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI), Benchmarking, Ratings & Stakeholder Reporting Portals (Scorecards, Dashboards) (EUABAEAJ), Climate Target-Setting, Transition Planning & Performance Management Platforms (EUABAEAF)

Keywords

• Climate action coordination
• Global climate campaigns
• Voluntary climate initiatives
• Climate policy convening
• Sustainability coordination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tadley

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

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Grants and Donor Funding: Climate Champions CIC is a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, Inc. (as stated on the website footer). The organization's funding comes from philanthropic foundations, government contributions, and institutional donors tied to the UNFCCC process and COP presidencies. No commercial revenue streams are generated as the organization coordinates voluntary climate action rather than selling products or services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Climate Champions CIC coordinates the Global Climate Action Agenda under the UNFCCC Marrakech Partnership, mobilizing non-State actors (businesses, cities, investors, civil society) through climate campaigns (Race to Zero, Race to Resilience), frameworks, and finance platforms to advance global climate action and translate Paris Agreement commitments into measurable real-world delivery. The organization operates 30 Activation Groups across six thematic axes and publishes Plans to Accelerate Solutions through the UNFCCC Global Climate Action Portal (NAZCA).

Product overview

Climate Champions CIC operates as a coordination and campaign platform — not a traditional software product company. Its core 'offering' is the coordination of the Global Climate Action Agenda, a UN-backed framework that mobilizes voluntary climate action from businesses, investors, cities, regions, and civil society to support government implementation of the Paris Agreement. The primary products and initiatives include the Global Climate Action Agenda itself (organized around six thematic axes), the Marrakech Partnership, the Climate High-Level Champions program, the Five-Year Vision for Global Climate Action, and the Istanbul Platform on Zero Waste for Climate Action. Supporting publications and tools include the Yearbook of Global Climate Action, the Granary of Solutions platform, and Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PAS) — practical roadmaps available through the UNFCCC portal. Campaign initiatives coordinated include Race to Zero and Race to Resilience. The organization also manages frameworks such as the 2030 Climate Solutions, Breakthroughs, Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, and Regional Platforms for Climate Projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Race to Zero: Campaign uniting efforts to tackle the climate crisis through decarbonization
• Race to Resilience
• Impact Makers
• Climate-Proofing SMEs
• Action Agenda
• Granary of Solutions
• Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PAS)

Products and services

• Global Climate Action Agenda
• Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action
• Race to Zero Campaign
• Race to Resilience Campaign
• Plans to Accelerate Solutions (PAS)
• Granary of Solutions Platform
• 2030 Climate Solutions Framework
• Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda
• Yearbook of Global Climate Action
• Istanbul Platform on Zero Waste for Climate Action

Quantifiable outcome

• 437.7 million people gained increased resilience through Race to Resilience
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026WBCSD partnered with the Breakthrough Agenda, Marrakech Partnership, and Bain & Company to produce a report on global investment in energy decarbonization. The report found that 89% of surveyed business leaders continue to invest in decarbonization strategies, with global capital spending on energy decarbonization at approximately USD 2 trillion against an estimated USD 30 trillion needed by 2050.
• Bain & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Bain & Company supported the WBCSD and Breakthrough Agenda report on energy decarbonization investment, providing analysis on global capital spending and policy headwinds facing decarbonization strategies.
• HowdencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2026Howden, in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Climate High-Level Champions, produced a report framing regenerative agriculture as both a climate adaptation strategy and a compelling investment opportunity requiring USD 250-430 billion annually to transition global food systems.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 April 2026BCG, with Howden and Climate High-Level Champions, framed regenerative agriculture as a strategic investment opportunity. BCG analysis showed that USD 1 spent on insurance can unlock USD 3-10 in additional lending for farmers, positioning insurance as the critical catalyst to unlock capital for regenerative agriculture.
• UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Climate High-Level Champions operate as a formal part of the UNFCCC process, established at COP21. The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, launched at COP22, is a framework under UNFCCC for continued engagement of all actors in climate action implementation. The UNFCCC Global Climate Action Portal (NAZCA) tracks all initiatives.
• COP Presidencies (COP30 Brazil, COP31 Türkiye, COP32 Ethiopia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Climate High-Level Champions work directly with COP presidencies to drive the Global Climate Action Agenda. COP30 President-Designate Murat Kurum appointed Samed Ağırbaş as COP31 Champion. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago and COP32 host Ethiopia provide multi-year continuity for the Champions' mandate through 2030.
• Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Marrakech Partnership, launched at COP22 and welcomed by Parties, is the framework through which the Climate High-Level Champions mobilize continued engagement of all actors (businesses, cities, investors, civil society) in implementing climate action. It serves as the core operational architecture for the Global Climate Action Agenda.
• Race to Zero CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRace to Zero is a global campaign mobilizing actors outside governments — businesses, cities, regions, and individuals — to take immediate steps toward net-zero emissions by 2050. Led by the High-Level Climate Champions and UNFCCC, it is a core campaign within the Global Climate Action Agenda.
• Race to Resilience CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRace to Resilience campaign mobilizes human societies to confront climate risk and build community resilience. Partners report 437.7 million people gaining increased resilience and 18 million hectares of nature protected. One of two core campaigns under the Global Climate Action Agenda.
• Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNEZA brings together the world's leading power companies under guidance of IRENA and Climate High-Level Champions to accelerate grid investment. Members exceeded annual investment commitment of USD 117 billion, increasing to USD 148 billion, with a pipeline exceeding USD 1 trillion through 2030. Construction and modernization of roughly 23,000 kilometers of grid infrastructure reported by COP30.
• Green Grids InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched at COP26, the Green Grids Initiative works with GGI and UNEZA, CEM, IRENA, and IEA to advance a global plan to invest about USD 1 trillion in tripling renewable capacity by 2030. Part of the strengthened grids ecosystem advanced at COP30.
• Adaptation Finance (FINI) InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFINI turns national adaptation plans into bankable project pipelines, with a target of mobilizing up to USD 1 trillion by 2028. At COP30, FINI partners announced USD 1 trillion in investible adaptation pipelines, with 20% coming from private investors, plus USD 500 million from multilateral agencies and philanthropies.
• Belém Health Action PlancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe world's first international climate-health adaptation plan, launched at COP30 with support from 35+ philanthropies and USD 300 million committed. Advances resilience in health systems addressing climate-related health risks including heat stress and vector-borne diseases, supported through WHO's ATACH mechanism.
• Breakthrough AgendacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Breakthrough Agenda, launched at COP26, coordinates international collaboration across critical sectors (steel, cement, hydrogen, trucking, shipping, and aviation) to make clean technologies cheaper everywhere. The WBCSD partnership report on decarbonization was produced in partnership with the Breakthrough Agenda and Marrakech Partnership.
• Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes (AARL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAARL investments quadrupled since 2023, surpassing USD 9 billion toward 2030, benefiting 12 million farmers across 110+ countries and restoring over 210 million hectares. Part of Axis 3 (Agriculture and Food Systems) of the Global Climate Action Agenda.
• RAIZ (Resilient Agriculture Investment for Net Zero Land Degradation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAIZ closes the USD 105 billion funding gap for land restoration by making restoration investable. Supports countries to map degraded land, identify viable projects, assess financing needs, and design blended finance models. Partnership with COP27 FAST Partnership. Global target: restoring 1 billion hectares, potentially increasing food production by 44 million tonnes annually.
• Mission Possible Partnership and Industrial Transition AcceleratorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Industrial Transition Accelerator uses government guarantees and subsidies to cover extra costs of producing clean steel and cement. The Global Project Tracker found 19 commercial-scale clean industrial projects worth USD 43 billion reached final investment decision in six months — more than doubling last year's pace. 161 projects now operating or under construction.
• Global EverGreening AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting 20 million smallholder households to restore degraded land across 20 countries. Contributes to Axis 2 (Stewarding Forests, Oceans, and Biodiversity) and Axis 3 (Agriculture and Food Systems) of the Global Climate Action Agenda.
• Global Renewables Alliance (GRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with We Mean Business Coalition and E3G to conduct global business polling on electrification. 91% of 1,994 surveyed business leaders expect electrification to improve energy security; 88% say it will make their business more competitive.
• We Mean Business CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWe Mean Business Coalition partnered with Global Renewables Alliance and E3G on business polling showing strong corporate demand for electrification. CEO Maria Mendiluce stated: 'After repeated fossil fuel shocks, businesses are saying loud and clear they do not want greater exposure to volatile fuel markets.' More than 100 companies with combined revenue exceeding USD 1.5 trillion backed the 35x35 electrification goal.
• E3GcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE3G partnered with We Mean Business Coalition and Global Renewables Alliance on global business polling on electrification. E3G's Nick Mabey serves as chair of London Climate Action Week, which hosted more than 290 events intentionally aligned with the Action Agenda.
• C40 CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerC40 Cities is a network of megacities committed to addressing climate change. Mayors from 41 C40 cities endorsed the Global Urban Data Centres Pact. C40's Breathe Cities added Addis Ababa and Madrid to its network and secured USD 45 million in funding. Part of Axis 4 (Building Resilience for Cities, Infrastructure and Water).
• Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCAC's Technology and Economic Assessment Panel de-risks emerging methane mitigation technologies for financiers. Both CCAC and World Bank's CH4D platform target the same gap: methane receives under 2% of global climate finance despite driving a third of warming.
• International Energy Agency (IEA) and IRENAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIEA and IRENA provided the 1.5°C compatible pathways analysis underpinning the 35x35 electrification goal (raising electricity's share of global final energy consumption to 35% by 2035). They co-authored the grids and storage analysis with the Climate High-Level Champions and serve as technical advisors to UNEZA and the Green Grids Initiative.
• Zero Waste Foundation (Türkiye)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Zero Waste Foundation, led by COP31 Champion Samed Ağırbaş as President, is the core organizational partner behind the Istanbul Platform on Zero Waste for Climate Action. The foundation translates zero waste ambition into practical, real-world solutions under the leadership of Her Excellency First Lady Emine Erdoğan.
• Billion Oyster ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured as a case study through the HLC x Edges of Earth media partnership under the Ocean Breakthroughs initiative. The project aims to restore one billion oysters and engage one million students in NYC Harbor by 2030. 150 million oysters have already been placed in the harbor.
• Edges of Earth ExpeditionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen-led global expedition partnering with the Climate High-Level Champions to bring to life the Ocean Breakthroughs initiative through personal accounts and climate action stories from remote coastal communities. The media partnership has traveled to 48 countries, featuring interview-style stories from locals, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and ocean scientists.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group: Network of megacities coordinating urban climate action, partner of Climate Champions on CHAMP and the Local Leaders Forum. Comparable as a non-State actor convening organization focused on cities and subnational governments.
• World Resources Institute (WRI): Global research organization producing climate data, targets, and policy analysis (including CAIT, Greenhouse Gas Protocol). Comparable as a non-State actor climate knowledge and convening body supporting governments and businesses with implementation.
• Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi): Defines and validates corporate decarbonization targets aligned with climate science. Comparable as a non-State actor standards and target-setting body serving overlapping corporate participants in the Race to Zero and Action Agenda ecosystem.
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Operates the global disclosure system for environmental impacts used by 20,000+ companies. Comparable as a non-State actor data and accountability platform that tracks corporate climate commitments, similar in function to the UNFCCC NAZCA portal Climate Champions coordinates.
• We Mean Business Coalition: A coalition of major businesses and investors mobilizing corporate climate action, with whom Climate Champions partners on the 35x35 electrification goal. Highly comparable as a non-State actor convening body coordinating voluntary corporate climate commitments and campaigns.
• Climate Group: Runs the RE100, EP100 and EV100 campaigns mobilizing businesses, cities, and regions on renewable energy, energy productivity, and EVs. Closely comparable as a campaign-driven convening body targeting the same non-State actor base.

Broad incumbents

• UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change): The parent intergovernmental treaty body that established the Champion role and operates the NAZCA portal. Broadly comparable as a climate governance and coordination institution, but at larger intergovernmental scale rather than voluntary non-State actor mobilization.
• Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ): Coalition of financial institutions committed to net-zero portfolios. Comparable as a sectoral climate convening body operating within the same Action Agenda framework, focused specifically on finance sector mobilization.
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): CEO-led business association on sustainability, partnered with Climate Champions on the Breakthrough Agenda decarbonization investment report. Comparable as a broader business sustainability convening body that overlaps on corporate climate mobilization.

Emerging players

• Climate Action Tracker: Independent scientific assessment tracking government climate action against Paris Agreement goals. Comparable as a transparency and accountability mechanism in the global climate ecosystem, though narrower in scope than the full Action Agenda.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/climatechampions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 CLIMATE CHAMPIONS CIC