During September’s Climate Week in New York City, countless countries, companies and international organizations made commitments to address the accelerating climate crisis. Some of these ideas focus on the unique role of business, whereas some focus on the responsibility of philanthropy. Other commitments focus on the role of policymakers and NGOs.
Prominent Israeli entrepreneur and philanthropist Ziv Aviram has a different idea. His newest project, climate tech fund EcoBridge, is leveraging a combination of some of the best practices of investment and philanthropy to address the global challenges of climate change. And while philanthropy is also a deeply personal endeavor for Aviram – he leads the Aviram Foundation in partnership with his children – he isn’t just keeping it in the family. To invest in and amplify the most important solutions to the climate crisis, Aviram has enlisted some big names to help him – including former U.S. President, Bill Clinton.
In a wide-ranging interview following his announcement of EcoBridge at the Clinton Global Initiative meetings in New York last month, Forbes had the chance to speak with Aviram about the mission of EcoBridge and its future strategy. We also discussed his partnership with President Clinton, what Aviram is learning as he navigates the world of philanthropy, and the ways both men believe the work of both EcoBridge and the Aviram Foundation are bringing the world closer to sustainable climate solutions while bringing people across the MENA region closer together.
President Clinton will serve as the chair of EcoBridge’s Impact Advisory Board, specifically advising the fund on how the climate crisis impacts to political, economic and government environments. Announcing EcoBridge, Clinton endorsed the urgency of the new initiative.
“Of the many challenges we face, there is perhaps none which requires our collective action as urgently as climate change,” said President Clinton. “We know that when we work together, we can move the needle on this issue very quickly – and that there are passionate entrepreneurs and innovators all around the world already working to both advance proven climate solutions and pioneer new ones. This exciting new climate tech fund has the potential to unlock revolutionary solutions to this existential challenge.”
Read the full article here