Apply to join the Climate Transformation Fund for 2025
Climate Transformation Fund
The Milkywire Climate Transformation Fund (CTF), launched in 2021, is a charitable fund that supports pioneering projects needed to reach global net zero. Our ambition is guided by an impact-first approach, meaning we want to support solutions with the greatest expected long-term climate impact.
Over the past four years, the CTF has allocated over $14 million to 49 pioneering projects, supported by leading corporate partners such as Klarna, Spotify, and Bolt. Together, we aim to drive transformative change and deliver measurable climate outcomes. The fund has three pillars, durable carbon removal, emission reductions and nature restoration and protection. Currently, the 2025 call for proposals is open for durable carbon removal. Organizations interested in future calls under the other pillars are encouraged to register their interest below.
Scaling carbon removal technologies
Our approach to purchasing carbon removal through the Climate Transformation Fund focuses on maximizing the long-term potential of CDR as a key climate solution. We focus on the catalytic effect of our purchase and target promising, sustainable solutions that fit well into the broader system required to achieve global net zero.
We want our catalytic CTF purchases to enable CDR suppliers to:
Develop and prove particularly promising new CDR methods in real-world applications, or
Scale up an existing method or practice in a way that is more sustainable, cost/resource-effective, or delivers higher co-benefits than current solutions, and/or
Contribute to CDR ecosystem-wide benefits, such as advancing scientific knowledge of a method or unlocking new geographies for implementation.
What we don’t fund in this pillar:
Short-term carbon storage, or storage with a high risk of reversal. (Carbon stored in living biomass is addressed in our pillar Nature protection and restoration opportunities).
Removal of other greenhouse gases.
CCS projects with capture from fossil carbon, or CCUS projects that result in the carbon reemitted.
CDR ecosystem-related services (such as MRV-providers) that do not directly remove carbon.
We are especially interested in projects that help broaden the CDR ecosystem and complement the 27 CDR projects we have supported so far, and those that have significant co-benefits. We are looking to make pre-purchases of carbon removal with partial or full payments and do not have the ability to sign longer offtake agreements, although delivery of the removal credits can occur over several years. Carbon removal purchases will be made both by the WRLD Foundation, using funds donated for the CTF, and by Milkywire AB on behalf of companies seeking to purchase credits from suppliers selected for the fund. In previous years, individual purchases ranged from $150,000 to $300,000 in total per CDR supplier. For 2025, sums may be higher for some select suppliers. We also encourage the suppliers we work with to share their learnings with scientists or the public. In some cases, it is a requirement. For example, we require our Enhanced Rock Weathering suppliers to contribute data to the Cascade ERW Data Quarry.
Pioneering emission reduction and nature restoration solutions
Emission reductions
This pillar focuses on initiatives that reduce emissions and advance climate policy. We prioritize projects with strong potential for scalability, replication, or creating a catalytic effect. Proposals should aim to:
Develop or scale innovative technologies that cut emissions.
Influence climate policy to drive systemic change.
Demonstrate measurable, long-term impact aligned with our decarbonization goals.
Nature restoration and protection
This pillar supports nature-based solutions implemented by non-profit organizations that help adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. Eligible projects should:
Focus on afforestation, reforestation, forest preservation, wetland or mangrove restoration, and similar efforts.
Present a roadmap for scalability or self-sustainability.
Combine climate benefits (emissions reduction or CO₂ absorption) with biodiversity conservation.
Provide co-benefits for local communities, such as improved agriculture or poverty alleviation.
Prioritize equity by empowering local populations in decision-making.
Currently, we do not have an open call for proposals for these two pillars, but you can register your project to express interest and stay informed.
Application process
All submissions are confidential, though aggregated data may be published for transparency. For questions, please contact: climate@milkywire.com.
Submit Interest: Complete a short form (should take 30-60 minutes).
Evaluation: Selected candidates will be invited to submit a detailed application.
Final Selection: Proposals undergo rigorous evaluation by our team and advisory group.
Timeline
Dec. 13, 2024: CDR Call for proposals opens.
Jan. 19, 2025: Submission deadline.
Feb. 2025: Select suppliers are asked to send in full CDR applications, and evaluations begin.
Q1-Q2 2025: Calls for the two other pillars may open.
May 2025: Final CDR selection confirmed.
Jun-Aug. 2025: Contracts finalized and funds paid out.