Spark is a science-driven, philanthropically-funded non-profit that shortens the timeline for managing major climate risks that currently lack solutions. We focus on blind spots that pose big climate risks or offer big climate opportunities—like major sources of unabated emissions—and work to speed up the development of the fields needed to address them.
We are a team of scientists, policy experts, and innovators looking around the corner and building today’s foundations for the comprehensive climate solutions we will need tomorrow. Much of our work focuses on super pollutants, which drive about half of today’s warming and also harm air quality and health.
Our current work covers two themes. One is climate-smart food systems: reducing methane from livestock and nitrogen loss from agriculture. The other is climate feedbacks and what to do about them: better understanding and addressing warming-induced greenhouse gas emissions, and exploring research into methane removal as a possible risk-mitigation tool. We use a large suite of field-building tools to support new research, markets, policies, and talent development.
Guided by science, deep curiosity, and open collaboration, our programs work to grow new fields to expand humanity’s portfolio of responses to climate change.
Cutting methane from livestock is a major opportunity for climate mitigation and agricultural innovation. Livestock account for more than 25% of human-driven methane, but there are no widespread solutions yet. We’re helping build the science, partnerships, and markets needed to scale effective solutions for livestock enteric methane.
Fertilizer is essential for feeding billions. But only about 15% of nitrogen used in agriculture ends up in our food. Much of the rest becomes pollution that harms our climate, water, air, and ozone layer. We're accelerating innovative solutions to use nitrogen more efficiently and reduce losses to the environment.
As the planet warms, wetlands, permafrost, and other natural systems are showing signs of releasing more greenhouse gases—an overlooked risk that has the potential to significantly accelerate warming. We’re working to shed light on this important blind spot and fill gaps in science, policy, and response options.
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Even with aggressive mitigation, we face major risks from high-methane futures as climate feedbacks like permafrost thaw start kicking in. There aren’t yet answers on how humanity would respond. We’re supporting early research and responsible governance efforts to explore if excess methane can be safely removed from the atmosphere.
Philanthropy has a unique ability to move first where other sectors cannot. Many of the world’s most consequential climate challenges still lack the science, policy frameworks, coordination, and early investment needed to unlock scalable solutions. This is where donors can help close critical gaps and bring promising solutions into view years earlier than they otherwise would.
Connect with us to explore partnerships, collaborations, and aligned opportunities to advance this work. Our impact is powered by a community of generous and forward-thinking funders committed to shaping a safer climate future.
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