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Our Network
“To avoid Day Zero, collective action is needed to protect our common waters”
The strength of CWR is its growing informal network of International, Hong Kong and China based organizations that share a common interest in protecting our precious water resources. Our partners vary across projects and focus areas and comprise of a range of diverse stakeholders in environmental protection, including, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia and international-organizations. We treasure our partners; we will not be here without them – see all partners or explore partners by focus area.
In addition, CWR has a network of close to 300 contributing writers who provide expert opinions and up to date information on different aspects of water and climate risks. They range from academics, investors, business managers, corporate leaders, industry experts to NGOs. Check out our contributors.
Although we strive for change, there is a constant – our funders. We are grateful to our sponsor The ADM Capital Foundation, who had the foresight to incubate this initiative and to our core funders The Rockefellers Brothers Fund and RS Group. Their support throughout our journey has been invaluable. See our funders.
Our Partners
All our partners are listed below. To see partners we work with in specific focus areas, please explore our focus areas.
The Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA): work with investors, companies and regulators in the implementation of effective corporate governance practices throughout Asia.
The Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC): to create awareness and encourage action among Asia’s asset owners and financial institutions about the risks and opportunities associated with climate change and low carbon investing
The Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) is a multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to enhancing water stewardship capacity, and guiding, incentivizing and differentiating responsible water use.
Business for Social Responsibility: works with its global network of over 250 member companies to develop sustainable business strategies and solutions.
CDP Water: CDP Water Disclosure gathers critical water related information on behalf of over 350 investors to drive investment towards sustainable water use.
CDSB is committed to advancing and aligning the global mainstream corporate reporting model to equate natural capital with financial capital.
Ceres works with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. It aims to transform the economy to build a sustainable future for people and the planet.
Center for Water Resources Research, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, the national research institute of China.
China Dialogue: is a bilingual source of news, analysis and discussion on all environmental issues with a special focus on China.
China International Water Law: As part of the Xiamen International Water Law Research Group at Xiamen University, CIWL is a research resource collecting and sharing relevant treaties and laws.
Circle of Blue: is a leading non-advocacy news and science organization reporting on the world’s resource challenges – with particular focus on water, food, and energy.
Civic Exchange: is an independent Hong Kong-based public policy think tank that was established to promote civic education amongst members of the community.
Economist Intelligent (EIU): is research and analysis division of The Economist Group, the sister company to The Economist newspaper.
The Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) is an institution affiliated to the Ministry of Ecology & Environment of China. It’s mandate is to coordinate and manage cooperation with international organisations.
The Green Finance Committee (GFC) of the China Society for Finance and Banking is set up to drive green finance in China.
Hong Kong Green Finance Association (HKGFA): aims to gather industry experts and provide policy suggestions to the HKSAR Government and other regulators in developing green finance in the city.
Hong Kong 2050 is Now is a Hong Kong-based platform for education, collaboration, and action on the climate crisis.
The Hong Kong Productivity Council is a multi-disciplinary organization established by statute in 1967 to promote productivity excellence through the provision of integrated support across the value chain of HK firms.
International Rivers: is a non-profit, non-governmental, environmental and human rights organization with a focus on protecting rivers and defending the rights of communities that depend on them.
Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE): aims to expand environmental information disclosure to allow communities to fully understand the hazards and risks in the surrounding environment, thus promoting widespread public participation in environmental governance.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy.
The Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is the first museum of its kind in the world, offering an interactive, multimedia exhibition that showcases valuable collections and information about climate change.
Natural Resources Defense Council: US environmental action organization and was the first international environmental organization to establish clean energy and green building programs in China.
Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP) promotes reflection and exchanges between the scientific community, civil society and political decision-makers. Through the Sea’ties initiative, the OCP aims to facilitate the development of public policies and the implementation of adaptation solutions for coastal cities threatened by rising sea levels.
Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI): works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors as well as to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions
ReThink is Hong Kong’s best attended and most ambitious business event for sustainable development.
The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets.
SynTao: consulting company that focuses on promoting corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investment in China.
SynTao Green Finance is a leading consultancy providing professional services in green finance and responsible investment in China
SFI is an initiative dedicated to advocating sustainable finance in Hong Kong by developing a knowledge and convening platform for investors and other stakeholders to connect, learn and take collective actions.
Singapore International Water Week (SIWW): the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions
Task Force on Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) aims to develop recommendations for more effective climate-related disclosures that could promote more informed investment, credit, and insurance underwriting decisions and, in turn, enable stakeholders to understand better the concentrations of carbon-related assets in the financial sector and the financial system’s exposures to climate-related risks.
The Third Pole is a forum for information and discussion about the Tibetan plateau and the rivers that originate there.
United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative: the UNEP FI Work on Water builds on the need to create awareness and capacity among the financial community in order to promote their proactive approach towards water issues.
Wave of Change: is to provide a safe and trusted space for shared value creation among the stakeholders of the environmental transition
The Woodrow Wilson Center’s China Environmental Forum (CEF): has created projects, events and exchanges that bring together leading experts to explore the most imperative environmental issues in China.
World Resources Institute: environmental think tank and nonprofit organization working on climate, energy & transport, governance & access, markets & enterprise and people & ecosystems.
Our Funders
CWR is a non-profit initiative of The ADM Capital Foundation and receives core grant support as well as project support from the following funders. CWR also receives funding for commissioned research and risk assessments from financial institutions and corporates; these funders are not reflected below. Please contact us if you would like to support our work!
sponsor & core funding
The ADM Capital Foundation (ADMCF) has incubated and sponsored the founding of CWR. ADMCF supports CWR through core grants and the provision of office space. ADMCF is an impact driven foundation focused on making change in Asia across five key areas: marine ecology, water security, air quality, wildlife trade and forestry conservation finance. ADMCF has tax exempt status under Section 88 of the Hong Kong Government Inland Revenue Ordinance. It also has received 501(c) (3) charitable status in the United States.
See www.admcf.org
core funding
The Rockefellers Brothers Fund (RBF) has funded CWR since 2013. Originally funds were project focused but as CWR grew, RBF support evolved into core grants allowing CWR the flexibility to drive funding to areas that can catalyse maximum impact given the fast-moving environmental landscape in China. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund advances social change that contributes to a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world. It has 501(c) (3) charitable status in the United States.
See www.rbf.org
core funding
RS Group has been a core funder of CWR since 2013, allowing CWR the flexibility to drive funding to areas that can catalyse maximum impact. RS Group is a family office that focuses on sustainability. It believes that it in new, collaborative approaches to investment, business and philanthropy are needed if we are going to build a global community where social progress and economic development occur in harmony with nature.
See www.rsgroup.asia
core funding
Inspired and informed by the concept of interconnectedness, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation vitalises the areas of arts and culture and Buddhism, and funds initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of humanity and the environment. Established in 2005, the Foundation is a private philanthropy with deep roots in Hong Kong and a global vision.
Project funding
The C&A Foundation (now Laudes Foundation) supported CWR’s work to bring about a change in the Fashion Industry towards a more circular economy in 2017. C&A Foundation is a corporate foundation to fundamentally transform the fashion industry. It works together with partners, to take collective action guided by its theories of change and principles of gender justice.
Project funding
The Hewlett Foundation supported the expansion of CWR’s water-energy-climate nexus work in 2014/2015 to bring about a low-carbon and water efficient future. The funds helped CWR hire dedicated staff to work in this space. The Hewlett Foundation funded alongside The Rockfellers Brothers Fund which managed the funding.
See www.rbf.org
Project funding
The Growald Climate Fund (GCF) is supporting CWR’s work in the water-energy-climate nexus, specifically to end the use of coal fired plants in 10 major river basins in Asia. GCF is a high-impact venture philanthropy fund catalyzing the rapid transition to a clean energy future.
Project Funding
The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is supporting CWR’s work to rapidly expand green finance, specifically related to carbon intensive Asian corporates who are also vulnerable to water risks. The ECF is dedicated to responding to the global climate crisis by creating a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions society.
Donors may choose to fund a particular aspect of our work but they do so with the understanding that they may not influence CWR’s content in any way.
A quick word on ethics. We recognize that the effectiveness of our work depends on CWR’s credibility, on producing work that is uncompromised by partisan politics, institutional or personal allegiances, or sources of financial support. While we run this public website (www.chinawaterrisk.org) that relies on support (in-kind and monetary) from donors and sponsors to provide content and to commission relevant research, there is always a clear separation between them and our content.
