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Non-profit

Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD)

Website:

www.field.org.uk/
Type:

Environmental Law Organization
Formation:

1989
Dissolved:

2015
Headquarters:

Can-Mezzanine, 49 – 51 East Road
Location:

London, England

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The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) was a left-of-center organization that was founded in 1989 by a group of lawyers who chose to promote the use of international law to protect the environment. 1

The organization was funded by left-of-center private grantmaking foundations including the Ford Foundation and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. 2 3

Background

The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) was a left-of-center foundation that used its knowledge of environmental law and climate litigation to assist organizations, governments, and communities in negotiating climate laws. 4

The organization was founded in 1989 by a group of lawyers who chose to promote the use of international law to protect the environment. The organization also worked with governments, inter-governmental, and non-governmental groups worldwide to develop international legislation that is based on left-of-center environmental policies. 5

FIELD became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), a nonprofit organization that produces research regarding environmental protection and economic growth in developing countries, in 2002. FIELD removed itself from IIED in 2008 and was a fully independent organization until it dissolved in 2015 via a voluntary strike-off by the directors. 6

The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development’s operating strategy included campaigning, researching, and operating like a standard law firm. 7

Financials

As the organization was based in the United Kingdom, there is little financial information available. According to the U.K. Charity Commission, which only has information from 2011 until 2015, the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development’s total annual income drastically decreased over the years. 8

FIELD reported income of £491,830 (approximately $619,083) in 2011, with a total expenditure of £501,940 (around $631,809) in the same year. The organization’s revenue decreased to £166,510 (about $209,591) in 2012 and its expenses amounted to £278,690 (around $350,796). The organization’s revenue and expenses continued to decline and in 2015 FIELD had a total revenue of £30,000 (approximately $37,762) and a total expenses amount of £61,980 (around $78,016). 9

Funding

The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development was mostly funded by private grantmaking organizations. The Environmental Funders Network, a left-of-center organization based in the U.K. that provides networking opportunities to staff and trustees of environmental organizations reported that a detailed analysis of environmental grants to 97 trusts and foundations showed that FIELD, over a period of five years, received a total of £445,750 (approximately $561,275) from 13 grants. 10

The Ford Foundation was, for much of its history, the largest foundation in the United States, though it has been passed in recent years. The organization has given a great deal of money to left-wing and center-left organizations since its founding. According to the Ford Foundation’s annual report of 1993, the organization granted FIELD $79,000 that year. 11

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a left-of-center grantmaking foundation that funds organizations and communities in four strategic subject areas: local issues related to Flint, Michigan; civil society; education; and the environment. According to the foundation’s 2002 tax return form, FIELD was granted $80,000 by the foundation to “protect the global environment and promote the interests of least-developed countries.” 12 13

References

  1. Lemmons, Richard. “Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development.” Climate Policy Watcher. September 5, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.climate-policy-watcher.org/global-climate-2/foundation-for-international-environmental-law-and-development.html.
  2. “1993 Annual Report.” Ford Foundation. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.fordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1993-annual-report.pdf.
  3. “Charles Stewart Mott Foundation – 2002 Tax Return Form 990-PF.” Foundation Center. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/381/381211227/381211227_200212_990PF.pdf.
  4. “Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development.” International Institute for Environment and Develo. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.iied.org/foundation-for-international-environmental-law-development.
  5. Lemmons, Richard. “Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development.” Climate Policy Watcher. September 5, 2022. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.climate-policy-watcher.org/global-climate-2/foundation-for-international-environmental-law-and-development.html.
  6. “Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development.” International Institute for Environment and Develo. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.iied.org/foundation-for-international-environmental-law-development.
  7. “Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development.” International Institute for Environment and Develo. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.iied.org/foundation-for-international-environmental-law-development.
  8. “THE FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND DEVELOPMENT – Charity 802934.” The Charity Commission. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/802934/financial-history.
  9. “THE FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND DEVELOPMENT – Charity 802934.” The Charity Commission. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/802934/financial-history.
  10. “Where the Green Grants Went 4.” Environmental Funders Network. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.greenfunders.org/wp-content/uploads/Green-Grants-4-FinalSP.pdf.
  11. “1993 Annual Report.” Ford Foundation. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.fordfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1993-annual-report.pdf.
  12. “Charles Stewart Mott Foundation – 2002 Tax Return Form 990-PF.” Foundation Center. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/381/381211227/381211227_200212_990PF.pdf.
  13. “What We Do |.” Mott Foundation. Accessed August 28, 2023. https://www.mott.org/work/.
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