The Rockefeller Foundation is launching a new climate and resilience initiative and has committed an initial $8 million to continue supporting the work of chief resilience officers (CROs) and member cities within the 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) Network. The existing 100RC organization will conclude this month, but the Foundation will continue collaborating with the network for the next five years.
The new Climate and Resilience initiative will focus on identifying, designing, and supporting market-changing opportunities that increase climate and resilience capital flows into financial solutions, companies and projects. It will also integrate climate and resilience principles throughout the Foundation’s work in food, health, power, and the expansion of US economic opportunities, in addition to coordinating grant making for disaster recovery situations.
The new initiative will be led by Elizabeth Yee as Managing Director, formerly 100 Resilient Cities (100RC) vice president of resilience finance.
“Rapid changes in climate are exposing global citizens to unpredictable risks, and there is an increasing need to leverage data and technology to ensure we make informed decisions, and design and deliver solutions that improve the resilience of communities,” said Yee. “Continuing to support the 100RC Network is a core part of our ability to understand and tackle these immense challenges, which require creative, blended capital solutions to address at scale. I am excited to lead the new climate and resilience initiative at the Foundation and build on its legacy in resilience, to ensure that we develop and deliver solutions that positively transform the lives of vulnerable populations.”
“The Rockefeller Foundation’s new climate and resilience initiative will help strengthen communities around the globe to be more resilient to the urgent crises facing humanity,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, president, The Rockefeller Foundation. “I am thrilled Liz Yee has joined the Foundation to lead this important work, given her deep experience in climate finance, and immeasurable contributions while at 100 Resilient Cities.”
