Tuesday 8 November 2022

American Express commits $5m to help cities fight climate change

American Express has made a commitment to provide more than $5 million (£4.35m) to organisations helping cities and coastal communities to fight climate change.

The multi-year grants are part of the credit card service company's plan to help advance climate solutions and provide at least $10 million (£8.7m) in philanthropic funding by 2025.

Some of the organisations that will receive funding are Ocean Conservancy, Urban Sustainability Directors Network, Resilient Cities Catalyst and Regional Plan Association, with projects including the installation of solar systems on homes and small businesses in low and moderate income communities and programmes to help prevent the flow of rubbish and plastic pollution into the ocean.

It follows a $3.1 million (£2.7m) grant funding announced by American Express earlier this year to support nature-based solutions and sustainability efforts in local communities.

Madge Thomas, Head of Corporate Sustainability and President of the American Express Foundation said: “Combating climate change starts at the local level as the negative impacts of climate-related events are experienced in local communities with regional organisations and leaders on the front lines driving action and disaster response.

“We’ve seen the impact of extreme weather events in cities around the world, which is why we’re making it a priority to invest in initiatives that provide cities with infrastructure and tools to prepare for disasters, which can help them to remain safe and thriving centres of community, commerce and tourism.”