Oxford Climate Journalism Network secures funding to continue operations into 2024

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is delighted to announce the Oxford Climate Journalism Network (OCJN) has been awarded funding by Laudes Foundation and the European Climate Foundation to continue its vital work into its third year of operations.

A grant of £1 million over three years by Laudes Foundation and a £249,434 grant by the ECF will enable the OCJN to sustain its operations until the end of 2024 on all four pillars of the network: online six-month courses with practising journalists, short courses with newsroom leaders, original academic research into climate reporting and journalism fellowships for mid-career journalists.  

The OCJN was launched in October 2021 to provide opportunities for participating journalists and their news organisations to strengthen their understanding of the climate crisis, to view it as an integral issue intersecting with many other aspects of our lives and societies, and to reflect this in their reporting. 

Network members are given unique access to world-leading climate scientists from across the world and professional forums for exchanging ideas with peers. The network allows members to think through the professional, organisational, and ethical questions journalism faces when it comes to climate coverage with the ultimate goal of improving climate coverage worldwide. 

During its first two years of operations, the OCJN has: 

• We have hosted 400 editors and reporters in our flagship course between 2022 and 2023, hailing from 106 countries. In any given cohort, our members speak over 30 languages
• We have hosted 44 newsrooms leaders in our 2022 and 2023 leadership courses 
• Our work involves global brands such as BBC, Bloomberg, AFP, AP, CBC and independent outlets like Daily Maverick, Scroll.In and El Surtidor
• We have received over six applications per available space in our first two years
• We have selected three experienced reporters to be part of our in-person Journalist Fellowship Programme in Oxford to explore climate journalism projects  in-depth 
• We have curated and produced a unique essay series written by our OCJN alumni  documenting climate challenges and solutions from around the world  

Katy Hartley, Director of Strategy, Innovation and Narratives at Laudes Foundation, said: “Journalism plays an invaluable role informing key audiences about the significant challenges the world faces through climate change, growing inequality and the loss of nature. At Laudes we are proud to continue our support for the Oxford Climate Journalism Network, a truly global initiative, which has connected hundreds of journalists and world-class experts around the shared goal of transitioning to a green, fair and inclusive economy.”

Joss Garman, Executive Director of Communications at the European Climate Foundation, said: “At a time when fossil fuel lobbies are trying to stall progress, spread misinformation, and polarise debates on climate change, we need to strengthen democracy and empower citizens with the information they need to understand what it   will take to get to a net-zero world. That’s why we are proud to support an initiative that gives hundreds of journalists the knowledge and networks they need to cover climate change accurately and thoroughly in the years to come.”

Mitali Mukherjee, Director of the Reuters Institute’s Journalist Programmes, said: “We are incredibly proud of our work at the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. Across our programmes, we have seen increased knowledge of climate science and policy in key newsroom stakeholders and an increased ability and confidence to produce high quality climate journalism. Through our network, journalists have fostered new climate journalism initiatives in newsrooms, countries and regions. Most importantly, our diverse and international reach helps create impact around critical climate change issues and helps journalists engage with - and hold accountable, policy makers, industry and wider audiences across the world. We are delighted to have continued support from Laudes foundation and the European Climate Foundation who believe in responsible climate information and the importance of climate journalism.” 

About Laudes Foundation 

Laudes Foundation is an independent foundation contributing to the growing movement to accelerate the transition to a climate-positive and inclusive global economy. Responding to the dual crises of climate breakdown and deepening inequality, Laudes supports brave action that inspires and challenges industry to harness its power for good. Founded by the Brenninkmeijer family business owners, it builds on six generations of entrepreneurship and philanthropy and works collaboratively alongside a wider network of philanthropic organisations, to both influence finance and capital markets and transform industry with a focus on the built environment and fashion.  For more information visit LaudesFoundation.org 

About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation is an independent philanthropic initiative dedicated to responding to the global climate crisis by creating a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions society. It pursues strategic philanthropy to support the climate community in shaping public debate and forging bold climate solutions. Together with hundreds of partner organisations it is at the forefront of a global movement to ensure a liveable planet for future generations.

About the Reuters Institute 

The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the core funder of the Reuters Institute, based in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. The Institute was launched in November 2006 and developed from the Reuters Fellowship Programme, established at Oxford more than 40 years ago. The Institute, an international research centre in the comparative study of journalism, is committed to exploring the future of journalism worldwide through debate, engagement, and research.