How Philanthropy Can Invest for Environmental Impact with Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder and Chair of the Aurora Trust and Member of the Sainsbury Family
This episode features an in-depth conversation with philanthropist Sarah Butler-Sloss, founder and chair of the Aurora Trust and member of the Sainsbury family. With more than three decades of experience in environmental philanthropy, she offers an expansive perspective on climate action, sustainable finance, regenerative agriculture, and the role of foundations in driving systemic change.
The discussion begins with the origins and evolution of the Aurora Trust, established in 1990 to support environmental and biodiversity initiatives. Sarah outlines the trust’s core areas of focus: halting tropical deforestation, advancing sustainable and regenerative farming in the UK, connecting children from disadvantaged communities with nature, improving sustainable finance systems, and supporting energy-access solutions in partnership with Ashden.
A substantial portion of the conversation examines the importance of aligning endowment investments with charitable purpose. Sarah shares the story behind the landmark Butler-Sloss vs Charity Commission case, in which she and her brother successfully argued that charitable endowments should consider mission alignment—not solely financial returns—when determining investment strategy. This judgment has since shaped UK charity investment guidance, enabling foundations to invest in ways consistent with environmental and social objectives.
The episode also explores the changing landscape of philanthropy, particularly the growing pressures on UK charities and funders. Sarah stresses the value of collaboration among donors and organisations, the importance of avoiding duplication, and the need to support both established institutions and promising early-stage initiatives. She reflects on how foundations can balance coordinated efforts with maintaining independence and openness to innovation.
Later, the conversation turns to the Ashden Awards, the global initiative Sarah founded 25 years ago to identify, celebrate, and scale exemplary clean-energy solutions. She describes their evolution from a pure award programme to a wider platform for policy influence, investment mobilisation, and global awareness-raising. Stories from the Global South and the UK illustrate how clean-energy innovators deliver powerful social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Sarah closes with a clear message for philanthropists: grants are only part of the picture. Endowments must also be deployed responsibly and strategically to advance charitable purpose and avoid undermining the very challenges philanthropy seeks to address.
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