Protecting forests, empowering athletes

On 10 September 2024, the Jacobs Futura Foundation officially celebrated its launch at a reception at RSA House.

Climate experts mingled with Olympians, while lawyers and accountants mixed with NGO leaders. This diverse gathering marked the start of the Foundation’s efforts to protect tropical rainforests and to support athletes in the transition into life after sport, underpinned by our commitment to a strategic, long-term approach.

Chair and Founder of the Jacobs Futura Foundation Philippe Jacobs told the guests: “I decided to set up the Foundation and do what I can to help have a positive impact”.

He added “I’ve learned from my business experience that one key driver of success is to assemble a high performing team that is not only passionate about the mission goal, but also shares and embodies common values. One of these values that is important to us is to be an active and engaged partner, willing to work in a collaborative and value-adding way.”

It was with this spirit of collaboration that JFF hosted the event to mark this important milestone, bringing together guests who have supported the Foundation in its set-up, people working on climate change and the environment and people from the world of sport.

JFF’s CEO, Justin Johnson, introduced the small but dynamic team behind the Jacobs Futura Foundation and shared more about the organisation’s priorities and how we intended to make a distinctive contribution.

Protecting Rainforests

Philippe emphasised that “rainforests are a very important strategy to tackle climate change and maintain the livelihoods of millions of people and safeguarding nature”.

Justin then highlighted some powerful statistics illustrating the intrinsic value of rainforests to people, climate and nature, for example:

• They sustain the livelihoods of 1bn people
• They are our ‘pharmacy’ – plants found in the rainforests have been the source of a quarter of modern medicines
• The forests of the Congo alone absorb the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of Canada
• In the Amazon, a new species of plant or animal is discovered on average every other day.  

Yet in the time Justin and Philippe spoke, over 50 football pitches of pristine tropical rainforest would have been destroyed.  Justin emphasised the urgency of action on this issue, but also the complexity, and the recognition that many organisations have been working on this for many decades.

We were fortunate that funders, charities and experts in this area were able to join us and are collaborating with JFF already as we grow our understanding.

Justin noted the Jacobs Futura Foundation was committed to building on the great efforts already taking place and looked forward to bringing our distinctive contribution. This could be by backing impactful organisations on the ground, partnering with them for the long-term so that they and we can grow, learn and share.  Or it could be by leveraging new technologies that address underlying drivers of deforestation.

Empowering Athletes

Following the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics there was no doubt in the room about how inspiring high-performing athletes and sports can be.

It was a particular honour that seven Olympians were able to join the event, along with representatives from the public and charitable sports communities.

Prompted by Philippe, JFF had explored what happens when the journey as a high-performing athlete is over.  We have come to learn that the demands of sport are all-consuming, often at the expense of other priorities like education and gaining professional experience.  When their competitive career ends – usually abruptly and out of their control – they face a range of challenges they are mostly unprepared for: financial instability, mental health issues, issues about personal identity. 

As Philippe said, “when they leave their sport, they often struggle…they have often deprioritized qualifications and do not have the financial stability they need for the future.”.

Yet many of the attributes that made these individuals successful athletes can also be superpowers outside of sport – discipline, determination, focus, teamwork. As Philippe remarked “I was aware how much potential they have.” 

Justin stated that the aim of the Jacobs Futura Foundation is “to ensure every athlete can reach their full potential beyond their sport, with a particular focus on those that need the help, including some women athletes, para-athletes and some minority groups.”

Into Action

Before inviting guests to continue in the celebrations, Justin concluded by stating that the ‘idea’ of the Jacobs Futura Foundation’ is now turning into ‘action’. JFF seeks to make a distinctive contribution for lasting impact in our chosen areas of focus.  This is not possible without partnership with others.  Justin and Philippe thanked everyone who is supporting us to make a difference, and the whole JFF Board and team look forward to collaborating for impact.