About GlobalGiving Green

GlobalGiving Green is made up of grassroots projects that have been evaluated based on how they are positively affecting climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and as a result, have earned GlobalGiving Green's "leaf" of approval.

Why give green?

The developing world faces a double burden. Climate change threatens poor communities with economic devastation in the form of floods, droughts, and ruined harvests. But traditionally, many of the solutions that fight poverty have also contributed to climate change - so as countries develop, there is huge potential for them to add to the crisis.

As a global community, we're at a crucial time. We have the technology and know-how to create development projects that don't add to climate change - projects that reduce emissions, don't deplete our natural resources, and don't harm the health and well being of our global neighbors. But we need to find ways to fund this type of smart development and get it implemented quickly.

Through GlobalGiving Green, you can direct your charitable donations to the people and projects that are creating positive change, developing responsibly, and reducing harmful emissions.

What makes these projects "green"?

We've evaluated each project according to how well it helps reduce harmful emissions, plus how it stacks up in areas such as providing sustainable, positive economic growth, aiding the culture and environment of a community, educating future generations on green techniques, and more.

The evaluation process was developed with the respected consulting organization Eco-Securities, which has over a decade of experience structuring and guiding greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. We worked together to carefully review each project and present a summary of key emissions-reductions and other benefits, including (click to learn more):

• "Additional" Impact
• Ecology-friendly Economics
• Other Environmental Benefits
• Social and Cultural Benefits
• "Adaptation" Benefits

If you're interested in all the technical detail supporting each project's evaluation, click on the project's green leaf to drill down further.

The term "additionality" is used to describe how much a project reduces harmful emissions above and beyond what would be "business as usual" in that area. In other words, if emissions are already being reduced, how much more good does this project do? What would have happened if the project didn't exist?

Ecology-Friendly Economics

This measures how much a project supports the local economy while also being mindful of the ecology. For instance, these projects replace current economic activities with more sustainable alternatives. Or, they may increase efficiency of existing technology and spur investment in new technology.

Other Environmental Benefits

This measures the number of other benefits the project creates beyond just emission reductions. These projects not only reduce emissions, they may offer direct/indirect health or safety benefits, reduce other pollutants, or reduce or avoid additional environmental impacts.

Social and Cultural Benefits

This measures the benefits to the community beyond emission reduction. While these projects are great for the environment, they may also offer educational opportunities, or increased independence and empowerment for community members.

Adaptation Benefits

Extent to which the project assists a community and its people to adapt to the ways climate change has affected their culture.