During the 2025–2030 strategy period, the TAH Foundation seeks to build a sustainable future in which the well-being of nature is recognized as the essential foundation of all life. This requires a shared vision for the sustainability transition and a clear understanding of what constitutes a good life and fair living conditions within planetary boundaries.

A Sustainable Future Requires Understanding the Limits

Scientists warn that six of the nine planetary boundaries critical to human well-being have already been breached. Record-breaking global temperatures, the persistent lack of effective climate action, and insufficient funding for essential measures only heighten the urgency. That is why, during the 2025–2030 strategy period, the TAH Foundation will build on the work begun in the previous phase—refining its approach and applying lessons learned to more effectively address the climate crisis.

Background

TAH Foundation was established in 2014 to support and promote social well-being, culture, the environment, and science, as well as related research and education. Since 2020, the Foundation has pursued this broad mission by focusing on solutions to environmental crises—recognizing their central role in securing global societal well-being.

In 2020, the Foundation’s board made the strategic decision to prioritize climate crisis mitigation, with a particular emphasis on reducing emissions. As the crisis remains unresolved, the 2025–2030 strategy period will continue this work. While the Foundation remains responsive to external developments and open to recalibrating its strategy, the rapid and scalable reduction of CO₂ emissions will remain its primary objective through 2030. To achieve this, the Foundation employs both funding and network-building as key instruments.

Scientists stress that the core challenge is no longer a lack of knowledge, but a lack of action. In response, the Foundation is committed to enabling and accelerating impactful, urgent climate action. Alongside its direct funding activities, it seeks to foster broader collaboration among other foundations and stakeholders, directing resources toward initiatives capable of delivering fast and scalable emissions reductions.

1. Strategic Goals

It will no longer be possible to stop climate change in time to preserve a livable planet for humans and other species. A global catastrophe looms if temperatures rise by several degrees—threatening everything the TAH Foundation was established to protect.

Immediate and bold action is essential to halt global warming. Existing knowledge and expertise must be effectively connected with decision-makers who can implement rapid and large-scale climate policies and interventions.

The 2020s is a decisive decade for making the necessary choices and implementing effective measures. Drastically reducing emissions from fossil energy sources is essential.

The Focus of Support (2025–2030)

Given the urgency of the climate crisis and the Foundation’s limited resources, the TAH Foundation will focus its efforts on initiatives that enable rapid emission reductions. Priority will be given to projects that generate systemic and large-scale impact, particularly in the following areas:

• Decarbonization of energy production and industry (e.g., manufacturing, commerce)
• Sustainable raw material innovations
• Carbon neutrality and related technological development
• Policy and regulation that drive emission reductions
  

The primary selection criterion for supported projects is their effectiveness in creating the conditions for rapid and substantial emission reductions. All funding decisions will be guided by this principle. Projects must also demonstrate scalability—that is, the potential to expand from small-scale implementation to broad societal impact.

The Foundation further seeks to create inspiring, high-impact examples that others can replicate and build upon.The Foundation also aims to create inspiring and impactful examples that others can adopt and develop further.

In addition to the priority areas listed above, the TAH Foundation may also support other initiatives that align with its mission and meet its criteria for impact and scalability.

Beyond funding, the Foundation is committed to influencing public discourse on the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. Advocacy methods will be chosen based on the context and nature of each opportunity.

Driving Systemic Impact

The TAH Foundation’s impact model is built on a combination of:

• Strategic funding
• Facilitation and advocacy work 
• A high-level team dedicated to driving systemic change
• The Foundation’s social capital and extensive networks

To maximize its impact, the Foundation brings together international and domestic foundations, funding partners, project implementers, and decision-makers. It leverages bold and seamless collaboration across borders, demonstrates scalable solutions, advocates for effective policies, and convenes key stakeholders around shared goals.

2. Strategic Operating Principles

The TAH Foundation’s work is guided not only by its founding values and strategic direction, but also by six core principles that support its mission and approach:

2.1 Principle of Collaboration

Achieving meaningful results requires strong collaboration across networks. The Foundation actively seeks out and evaluates potential partners to amplify its impact.

2.2 Principle of Transparency

The Foundation is committed to openness and transparency. It communicates clearly and proactively about its activities, decisions, and outcomes.

2.3 Principle of Development

The TAH Foundation continuously reflects on and improves its ways of working. It also contributes to broader conversations about the evolving role and impact of foundations in society.

2.4 Principle of Public Dialogue

Beyond individual projects, the Foundation promotes focused, evidence-based, and action-oriented public dialogue on climate action.

2.5 Principle of Meaningful Encounters

Facilitating thoughtful, in-depth dialogue between decision-makers, researchers, and experts is a key part of the Foundation’s strategy for impact.

2.6 Principle of Capability-Building

The Foundation strengthens its own and its partners’ capabilities in convening, collaboration, facilitation, systems thinking, and strategic advocacy. Continuous learning is a core part of this work.

3. Strategic Guidelines for 2025–2030

3.1 The Foundation will focus its support on projects with national or international relevance, or those with the potential to scale rapidly.

3.2 The Foundation will leverage its convening power to advance environmental goals and help direct capital flows toward a sustainable future.

3.3 The Foundation will fund or initiate projects that provide policymakers with relevant, research-based knowledge, enhance the synthesis and usability of climate research, and promote dialogue between researchers, businesses, and policymakers.

3.4 The Foundation will support initiatives that influence public debate on sustainability transitions, ensuring that discussions remain focused on what is both possible and necessary for achieving emission reductions during the 2020s.

3.5 The Foundation will seek impact through international cooperation, recognizing that climate change is a global challenge requiring systemic solutions at a global scale.

3.6 The Foundation will strengthen its operational capacity in key areas, including its environmental program, capital flow advocacy, communications, and systemic foundation work.

4. Evaluation and Adaptation

Throughout the 2025–2030 strategy period, the TAH Foundation will continuously evaluate and refine its approach to ensure alignment with the most effective pathways for achieving its climate goals.

Key Evaluation Metrics

4.1 The primary criterion for selecting projects is their expected impact on emission reductions within this decade.

4.2 The Foundation’s focus areas will be reviewed annually. In 2025, the initial priority will be the reduction of emissions in global steel production.

4.3 Each project’s outcomes will be assessed using tailored performance indicators, including assessing systemic scalability, research dissemination, policymaker engagement, and influence on public discourse.

The Foundation will strategically select its partners through expert evaluation and dialogue. It does not operate an open call for grant applications.

The Foundation’s strategy will be continuously refined to maximize effectiveness in a rapidly changing world.