ECF 2011 Annual Report - European Climate Foundation

Foreword
The current shifting economic and political landscape calls for
agility and clear strategic direction. Within this challenging context,
the ECF is empowering its partners to drive continued climate action.
Johannes Meier
CEO European Climate Foundation
2011 saw many of the most tumultuous
events that may come to define
this still young century. As the global
economy continued to tumble from
crisis to crisis, we witnessed natural
disasters and extreme weather
of unprecedented scale, revolutions,
insurgencies, major shifts in
geo-political dynamics, and more
man-made CO₂ produced than
ever before. In a year with so much
somber news it is easy to assume
that climate would take a back seat.
But there were some bright spots:
the energy choices of our developed
economies remained at the forefront
of many debates, China’s 12th
five-year plan reflects a significant
commitment to decarbonisation, and
more renewable power generation
was built worldwide than ever before.
The European Climate Foundation
(ECF) has continued to focus on its
core mission throughout, aligning
stakeholders in the decarbonisation
debate, moving agendas
forward, and driving real change.
2011 marked the publication of two
of the most significant documents
on climate and energy policy ever
produced in Europe: the European
Commission's 2050 Roadmaps on
Climate and Energy, which set a
path towards decarbonisation of
the European economy by 2050.
The ECF made a major contribution
to this agenda through its research,
networks, and alliances with business
and civil society, and these
two roadmaps set the stage for our
work in 2012 and beyond. The ECF’s
focus across sectors (energy, transport)
and issues (efficiency, international
climate policies, mitigation
targets, finance) allows us to bring a
big-picture view to the debate and
provide important strategic alignment
among key players in the field.
But 2011 proved yet again that a good
policy framework is just the first
step, that implementation is hard,
and that real change often eludes
us. The inertia created by the global
dependence on fossil-fuels, a bear
market, and consumption-driven
economies requires a massive effort
to overcome, and over the coming
years we must ensure that the link
between decarbonisation and prosperity
is clearly argued.
The ECF exists thanks to the
outstanding individuals and organisations
that generously support our
work both financially and strategically.
We are equally grateful to the
large number of organisations we
work with, both grantees and others,
as well as to a diverse network of
experts in Europe and elsewhere.
Their continued trust enables and
empowers us to conduct our work
across Europe and around the
globe in close cooperation with our
ClimateWorks Network colleagues.
In my first year as CEO, we have
gained a deeper understanding of
where we can make a difference.
We have strengthened our role as
a strategic catalyst and convener.
We further articulated our impactdriven
strategy, streamlined internal
performance processes, and forged
more strategic relationships with
grantees. There is always room for
improvement, and we will continue
to strive to serve the cause of decarbonisation
and the many communities
that support it. If I have learned
one thing since I joined the ECF, it is
how fortunate I am to have such a
dedicated and talented staff, totally
committed to tackling climate change.
Our goal becomes ever more urgent,
with the carbon budget running out
fast. If we are to maintain global
warming below 2°C, a level at which
major adaptation will already be
necessary, we must act now – and
policy development and implementation
must happen in parallel. That
balance of short-term goals and
long-term strategy is fundamental
to the success of the ECF and all
those committed to a sustainable
and prosperous future and a decarbonised
economy by 2050.
This annual report provides an overview
of our impact in 2011 and highlights
the challenges we faced and
still face. We offer examples of how
we have addressed those challenges
and the lessons learned that will
inform how we move forward. We
hope you find this report useful and
welcome your feedback.
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