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## **Annual Report and Financial Statements.** 

**31 December 2020** 

**A Company limited by guarantee and a registered charity.** 

**Company Registration No: 5062574 Charity No: 1104153** 




Rede de SemontÈs do Xingu

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## **Content.** 

|**1. Report of the Trustees**|**04**|
|---|---|
|**2. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities for**|**29**|
|**the Financial Statements**||
|**3. Report of the Auditors**|**30**|
|**4. Statement of Financial Activities**|**32**|
|**5. Balance Sheet**|**33**|
|**6. Cash Flow Statement**|**34**|
|**7. Notes to the Financial Statements**|**35**|





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## **Report of the Trustees** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE** 

‘Ashden Sustainable solutions, better lives’ was formed as a company limited by guarantee on 3 March 2004. The company registration number is 5062574. The company was registered with the Charity Commission on 4 June 2004. The charity registration number is 1104153. 

## **TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS** 

Richard Azarnia Sarah Butler-Sloss Emma Colenbrander Harish Hande (appointed 12 November 2019) Caroline Holtum Sabera Khan (appointed 1 September 2020) Nick Mabey Agamemnon Otero (appointed 12 November 2019) Andrew Reicher (appointed treasurer 1 September 2020) Mark Sainsbury (retired 4 February 2020) Paul Simon (retired 1 September 2020) 

Trustees are appointed by Members and are provided with relevant information relating to their responsibilities. 

**COMPANY SECRETARY** Karen Everett **REGISTERED OFFICE** The Peak, 5 Wilton Road, London SW1V 1AP **PRINCIPAL OFFICERS** Sarah Butler-Sloss (Founder and Chair of Trustees) Harriet Lamb (CEO) Rob Bell (SFCT Director; appointed 1 September 2018, resigned 20 December 2019) Karen Everett (SFCT Chief Operating Officer) Giles Bristow (Director of Programmes) Ed Dean (Director of Business Development) Jo Walton (Director of Communications and People) **BANKERS** Child & Co, 1 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1BD **SOLICITORS** Portrait Solicitors, 21 Whitefriars Street, London EC4Y 8JJ **AUDITORS** Crowe U.K. LLP, 55 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JW 

The Trustees of Ashden Sustainable Solutions, better lives (also known as Ashden) who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their annual report for the 16 month reporting period ended 31 December 2020 under the Companies Act 2006, together with the audited financial statements for the period. They confirm that the latter comply with the requirements of the Act, the Memorandum and the Articles of Association, and the Charities SORP (FRS 102). 

Ashden is governed by its Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, last amended 21 November 2011. 



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## **OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES** 

The objects of the Charity as given in the Memorandum of Association are the advancement of education for public benefit in developing countries and worldwide in relation to sustainable and renewable energy sources, and related environmental and ecological issues; and to relieve poverty and to preserve and protect public health by promoting the use of sustainable and renewable energy sources in developing countries. 

## **OBJECTIVES** 

The aims of Ashden are to contribute to the protection of the environment, the advancement of education and relief of poverty for the public benefit in developing countries, UK and elsewhere, by promoting the use of local, sustainable and renewable energy sources. 

Ashden will do this through: 

- Raising awareness of the significant social, economic and environmental benefits that renewable energy and energy efficiency can deliver. These include the significant social and economic benefits of increasing energy access to the poor in the developing world; increasing jobs and reducing fuel poverty in the UK: and the environmental benefits of reducing carbon emissions. 

- Spreading the knowledge and expertise of the Ashden Award winners to encourage learning and replication. 

- Encouraging policy makers, NGOs and other funders, to incorporate sustainable energy into their agendas. 

- Generating publicity, making financial awards and giving business support to outstanding enterprises and programmes which are environmentally and socially beneficial. 


Build Up Nepal 



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## **RISK ASSESSMENT** 

The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks to which the company may be exposed. Through the joint office of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, adequate systems are in place to meet such potential risks as the Trustees have identified. The Trustees continue to be vigilant and to keep processes under review. 

The Trustees identified the uncertainty of fundraising income to constitute the charity’s major financial risk. This includes the Trustees assessment of the impact of the coronavirus on its risk assessment. 

This is mitigated by a fundraising strategy with a diverse range of funders and by committing expenditure for new projects only when funding has been secured. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Ashden has actively engaged with its funders to ensure its income is maintained and levels of expenditure are appropriate, and actively sought funding from new sources, in particular establishing relationships with a variety of new Trusts and Foundations. 

Reputational risks around fundraising are mitigated by Ashden’s ethical fundraising policy and appropriate due diligence processes. Ashden continues to strive to improve the review process of its fundraising and financial performance with advice and guidance of the newly formed Finance and Operations Committee. 

## **STAFF REMUNERATION** 

The remuneration of all staff (including key management personnel) is reviewed by Ashden’s executive management team on an annual basis. From time to time the SFCT Management Committee and Ashden executive management team benchmarks pay levels against the comparable positions in similar organisations. 

## **RESERVES AND FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

The Charity aims to operate a balanced budget for each financial year and generally aims to return a small surplus. As at 31 December 2020, the charity held total reserves of £597,216 and free reserves of £137,211, representing unrestricted funds excluding those held in tangible fixed assets. Restricted funds at the end of the year were £427,181, which are not available for the general purposes of the charity. 

The deficit of £204,947 on unrestricted reserves in the reporting period arose partly because of a deliberate investment in Ashden’s strategic objectives, partly funded by a legacy grant of £1 million from The Monument Trust. Ashden continues to make the necessary improvements to the monitoring of its financial position, updates which reflect the increasing diversity and complexity of its charitable activities. 

Ashden's immediate aim is to generate surplus unrestricted reserves for 2021. The longer term aim is to build stable unrestricted reserve levels of £500,000 or three months committed spend, whichever is higher, to allow for any unexpected shortfalls in income. The Trustees are satisfied that current free reserve levels of £137,211, along with committed funding for 2021 are adaquate for the Charity’s activities for the foreseeable future. 

In 2019/20, the Trustees were delighted to have support from The Alan & Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund, The Ashden Trust, Bank of America, Bernard van Leer Foundation, Bloomberg NEF, The Bromley Trust, Citi, ClimateWorks Foundation, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Grosvenor Estate, Headley Trust, HSBC UK, Impax Asset Management, JAC Trust, The JJ Charitable Trust, John Ellerman Foundation, John Swire 1989 Charitable Trust, The Joseph Rowntree Trust, The Linbury Trust, Lund Trust, The Mark Leonard Trust, The Maud Elkington Charitable Trust, MCS Charitable Foundation, The National Lottery (Community Fund), Pickwell Foundation, The Schroder Foundation, The Staples Trust, The Tedworth Charitable Trust, Tellus Mater Foundation, The Waterloo Foundation, The Westminster Foundation, and The Woolbeding Charitable Trust. The Trustees would also like to thank its generous donors and Friends, all of whom are greatly valued. 



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## **FUNDRAISING** 

The charity only submits proposals to funders with whom a personal relationship has already been established by a member of the Ashden staff, or seeks funding from individuals who have subscribed to Ashden’s promotional material. This year, a fundraising appeal reached out to individuals with whom Ashden had already established relationships, encouraging them to support one of the Ashden awards. Ashden does not actively fundraise from members of the public, nor does it contract others to do so on its behalf. 

The Trust and its Trustees are fully aware of the requirements and duties set out in the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016. The Trust does not raise funds from the public and as such has no fundraising activities requiring disclosure under SI 62A of theCharities Act 2011. 

## **CHARITY AND PUBLIC BENEFIT** 

Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on Charity and Public Benefit and confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to it. They consider the full information which follows in this annual report, about the Charity’s aims, activities and achievements in the many areas of interest that the Charity supports demonstrates the benefit to its beneficiaries, and through them to the Public, that arise from those activities. 

## **ORGANISATION** 

The Trustees are aware of the Charity Governance Code published in 2017 which sets out the principles and recommended practice for good governance within the sector. Ashden has reviewed its governance arrangements against the principles within the code and believes that it is compliant with the code whilst maintaining its need to operate its governance efficiently. 

## **TRUSTEE RECRUITMENT** 

Trustee vacancies are advertised on the Ashden website and social media channels. We aim to recruit a diverse range of trustees representing the sector we work in and bringing the range of skills required. Applicants are interviewed by the Chair, CEO and other relevant Trustees. All new Trustees are supplied with a pack outlining their role and responsibilities. 


United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 



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**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Climate<br>solutions:<br>a lifeline for<br>coronavirus<br>-hit<br>communities<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **An introduction from Sarah Butler-Sloss, Ashden Founder and Chair of Trustees** 

For 20 years, the Ashden Awards have celebrated and promoted outstanding climate solutions. We have focused on initiatives reaching some of the most vulnerable people in the UK or in the least developed parts of the world. We have helped people across the globe access light, clean cooking (without deadly air pollution), improved communications, and better livelihoods and health. In the UK we’ve supported solutions tackling fuel poverty and air quality, and creating sustainable schools and good jobs. 

All of these enormous social benefits have come alongside significantly reduced carbon emissions. 

In the face of coronavirus, these champions are a lifeline for people around the world. We saw resilience built by the treatment available at solar-powered medical clinics, and the improved respiratory health made possible by numerous clean cooking innovators. Many past winners are also raising incomes in marginalised communities – and so offering some protection from the economic chaos wrought by the emergency. 

We see enhanced resilience in the UK too, where climate innovators are ready to drive a green recovery from the pandemic – creating warmer homes, greener travel and much more. This resilience is so crucial as the effects of climate change become a daily reality for people around the world. 

Past winners have also been nimble in adapting to new challenges, drawing on their position at the heart of their communities. The ‘solar saleswomen’of India’s Frontier Markets and seed collectors of Brazil’s Rede de Sementes do Xingu have worked to deliver vital healthcare supplies to remote communities. In the UK, green logistics company e-cargobikes.com brought meals and gifts to vulnerable people isolated by lockdown at Christmas. 

So much to applaud – but our climate pioneers are themselves under enormous pressure. Access to funding or investment, and customers’ ability to pay, are both disrupted. The movement of their staff is restricted. This risks terrible consequences in key areas such as the fight for clean cooking and universal energy access. Ashden’s work supporting the sector, and catalysing further growth, is more important now than ever. 

## **SARAH  B U T L E R - S LO S S** 

## **AS H D E N  FO U N D E R  AN D  C HAI R  O F  T R U S T E E S** 



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## **Ashden's work during the pandemic** 

The lockdown restrictions brought by coronavirus saw the closure of Ashden’s office in London in March 2020, with staff still working remotely at the start of 2021. A move to virtual working brought huge changes and challenges – but opportunities too. We have decided to permanently halve our office desk space, as many staff now wish to work at least part of the week at home. For the assessment of award .entrants, we have shifted to using a combination of remote assessments with visits from carefully-selected local partners. 

Plans for a physical ceremony honouring the 2020 Ashden Award winners were scrapped, with a 40-minute awards film created instead. This film attracted a larger and more diverse audience than the old ceremony format, and is set to act as the main awards celebration in future, possibly supported by ‘screening parties’ in selected locations. From this point on we will use a model of remote assessments – augmented by on the ground visits from carefully selected local partners. 


Ashden 

Staff have increased their skills in remote working technology and run a greater range of online events – which, as with the celebration film, have allowed wider participation and engagement than physical meetings. Remote working has also allowed us to recruit more employees and interns outside London. 

Our long running sustainable schools initiative LESS CO2 was heavily disrupted – although some schools were supported to finish the programme remotely. In this area, and every other part of our work, we aim to secure the benefits of inclusivity brought by working online, even when a return to physical events and office working is possible. Sadly a major fundraising dinner for our new schools programme had to be cancelled right at the last minute in March 2020, limiting our ability to secure much needed funds. 



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## **International Climate Solutions** 

Ashden’s well-established focus on boosting access to clean energy has never been more needed. Coronavirus threatens global efforts to tackle this problem – in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of people without access to reliable energy is set to grow for the first time in almost a decade, and the world looks set to fall short of Sustainable Development Goal 7. 

Our international climate solutions programme prioritised supporting frontline enterprises at this difficult time. In summer 2020, alongside partners Sustainable Energy for All and ESMAP (from the World Bank), we co-hosted a donor summit to stimulate investment – where the Swiss Development Agency pledged $3m for energy access relief. 

We have also run a series of investor pitching events, helping Ashden Award winners seek support at a crucial time. One of these triggered an investment of over £400,000, now completing final due diligence checks. And we have further highlighted this issue with blogs, articles, and our report _Universal Energy Access: an Ecosystem Approach_ . 

Our linking of enterprises to investors achieved major success when past winner Shuttl secured a $50m equity investment after a connection brokered by Ashden. 

In late 2019 our report on gender and energy access, supported by UKAID and the IKEA Foundation and based on three years’ original fieldwork in Tanzania, sparked coverage in national media and drew more than 100 industry professionals to launch events in London and Nairobi. Key findings included how rarely women are consulted about the purchase of home solar systems, and how new systems can fail to meet women’s needs. We also tracked a heavy imbalance in the gender of sales teams. 

Beyond energy access, we have been uncovering innovators in sustainable cooling, low-carbon buildings and transport, and natural climate solutions. We have boosted these climate champions and shared our learning and insights, for example via a webinar series with Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 

## **The Fair Cooling Fund** 

The Fair Cooling Fund, supported by the KCEP partnership, launched in 2020. Ashden selected seven Ashden Award winners and finalists who developed initiatives bringing affordable, sustainable cooling to those at greatest risk from higher temperatures. Innovations include new products and payment systems for marginalised farmers, and support for cooler housing in lowincome communities. 

The cohort members – based in India, Egypt, Ghana and Colombia – are receiving grants of $40,000 to $100,000 to turn their plans into action. The fund’s co-development approach included workshops, peer learning and feedback from experts to ensure solutions engage the most vulnerable. 

Organisations will receive further support as their projects are enacted in 2021 – when a communications campaign will boost global awareness of the fair cooling challenge. 


Prashanth Vishwanathan 


Prashanth Vishwanathan 



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## **Sustainable Towns and Cities** 

In the UK, Ashden is supporting a green recovery from coronavirus – one based on proven and costeffective climate solutions that bring benefits such as warm homes, clean air, jobs, improved transport and greater equality. We believe local authorities are key to a greener UK, with many councils eager to support more sustainable communities, and welcoming our growing range of tools. 

Our climate action toolkit for local authorities has helped councils build a business case for radical action. Over 100 authorities and community organisations, from Rochdale to Cornwall, have referenced it explicitly in their plans. In August 2020 we updated the toolkit with a chapter on citizen engagement. A collection of _31 Climate Actions,_ co-developed with Friends of the Earth and CDP, supports councils to focus on specific interventions. We have joined partners including the Grantham Institute and ADEPT in producing a blueprint for central government action in support of councils, while our targeted thought leadership pieces reach key influencers. 

Our online resources have been backed up by series of events and masterclasses, many with partner organisations such as the Centre for Alternative Technology. Online and around the country – from Bristol to Lancaster – we have showcased solutions to thousands of changemakers. Our city-region network is the only such resource for city-region sustainability officers, and we continue to bring members together for honest discussion and connection to cutting-edge climate innovators. 

We ended 2020 with plans for exciting new regional learning hubs supporting ‘on-the-ground’ climate action, and to strengthen our work in key areas – such as green skills and community engagement – through new awards and events. 

**“The co-benefits toolkit has inspired broader conversations across our organisation as we develop our climate change strategy. Linking climate change action to broader community benefits couldn’t be a better strategic fit for a local authority. It brings everyone to the same table.”** 

**Jo Mortensen, Sustainability Programme Manager Ealing Borough Council** 

**“One of the most useful networks available to city-regions such as ours."** 

**Rachel Waggett Principal Environment Officer Liverpool City Region** 





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## **Sustainable communities in North of Tyne** 

In North of Tyne Ashden is bringing together councils, public health bodies, unions, community organisations and others to collaborate on a fair transition to a low-carbon future – one that promotes equality while tackling social, environmental and economic challenges. 

Workshops feature characters played by local actors, who reveal real-world challenges and opportunities linked to the climate crisis. By interacting with these characters, participants can play out the impact of policy decisions – and explore holistic solutions that multi-solve people’s problems. 

Despite only launching in late 2020, the programme has already sparked collaboration across organisations, with new co-benefits projects in development for 2021. Participant Danielle Butler, Senior Research and Policy Officer at National Energy Action, praised its “thoughtful, creative, and clear approach, and commitment to amplifying people’s lived experiences”. 


Actor: Nadia Rafi / Ashden 


Artist: Josie Brookes / Ashden 


Abundance 



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## **Sustainable Schools** 

The country’s 32,000 schools can lead the way to our low-carbon future, inspiring a new generation of sustainability champions. Classroom climate action can also spur wider change in our communities – some 10 million people pass through the school gate every day. But in the UK’s crumbling school buildings, 60 per cent of energy used is wasted out of hours, and energy bills at English schools alone add up to £600m a year. 

Ashden’s Let’s Go Zero campaign, launched in November 2020, brings together UK schools committing to reach zero carbon by 2030 – and demanding greater government support. More than 100 schools signed up within the first few weeks of the campaign, when it was covered by the Telegraph, New Scientist, regional titles and across the education press. 

The campaign is backed by a coalition of high-profile organisations including Global Action Plan, EcoSchools, the Soil Association, Fairtrade Foundation, Sustrans and WWF. The Church of England agreed to encourage their 4,700 schools to sign-up. 

Ashden’s LESS CO2 programme continued at a lower level , bringing 94 schools together in regional clusters to share inspiration and practical advice on lowering emissions and energy bills – despite the UK’s coronavirus lockdown. 


**“Let's Go Zero is a campaign that answers the call to action from children everywhere.”** 

**Sarah Brown, Chair, TheirWorld** 


**“This is such an important initiative and is something that every school can take part in."** 

**Dr Emily Grossman, Science broadcaster and educator** 

**“Schools play a fundamental role in educating and empowering our children to give them a brighter future. That's why it's so exciting to see schools across the UK coming together to become carbon zero by 2030.”** 

**Nigel Topping, UK Government's High-Level Champion for Climate Action, COP26** 



**“I am passionately doing what I can to educate my peers and elders on the climate crisis, and to encourage them to make changes in their lives – both big and small.”** 

**Caroline Utterman, Year 12, London Collegiate School** 



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St Columb Minor School 


Ringmer Community College 



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## **Climate stories to challenge and inspire** 

In 2019/20, Ashden continued to put the spotlight on inspiring and proven climate solutions – including a fresh crop of Ashden Award winners – and also tackled the big questions at the heart of the climate crisis. 

Our reach was boosted by a refresh of our brand and website in 2020. The new look was showcased at our first virtual Ashden Award ceremony in July 2020, with a fast-paced flm featuring the winners alongside a diverse array of voices and enjoyed by an audience of over 4,000 people across the world. 

We secured media coverage from outlets including Al Jazeera, BBC World Service, Voice of America and Kenya’s The Standard. We also earned coverage in specialist press for key audiences from UK local authorities (Local Government Chronicle) to global development (Devex) and climate philanthropy (Alliance Magazine). 

Our social media posts reached at least 1,814,522 people, with follower numbers growing by 11% on Twitter. 

## **The Ashden website in 2020** 

- The site received 141,145 visits – a rise of 12% on the year before. 

- Most visitors came from the UK, India and the US. 

- The age groups 18-24 and 25-34 were the most frequent visitors 

- Since the website was redesigned in summer 2020, visitors browsing two or more pages have increased by 29%. 

## **Fundraising** 

In a difficult financial environment for charities, Ashden evolved to cope with the impact of coronavirus. While a major fundraising gala in aid of our Let’s Go Zero Programme was cancelled due to the pandemic, an online auction linked to the event raised more than £30,000. 

Strong partnerships, built on the value offered by Ashden’s unique connection to frontline climate solutions, are more than ever at the heart of our fundraising. This is evident in our blossoming relationship with cooling-focused partner K-CEP. After sponsoring an Ashden Award in 2019, K-CEP developed with us the Fair Cooling Fund – a bespoke grant-making initiative enhancing access to sustainable, affordable cooling for those most in need. 

## **"Ashden delivers practical, proven work at the intersection of climate and development."** 

## **- Dan Hamza-Goodacre, K-CEP** 



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We are keen to develop further high-impact partnerships in the years ahead. We know what it takes to build lasting relationships with funders – 2020 saw the fifth anniversary of our relationship with The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. In time, the Foundation’s backing has grown from support for a single award in 2015 to funding core activity across our entire UK sustainable towns and cities programme. Most recently, they have helped us innovate to develop a new green communities award. Our relationship with Bloomberg NEF, meanwhile, shows how Ashden’s grassroots insights can complement the work of organisations performing analysis or seeking change at a global level. 

We ran two appeals in support of our 2020 and 2021 humanitarian energy awards. These have attracted support from trusts and individuals wishing to back crucial interventions building a better life for refugees. Key contributors were offered the chance to connect virtually with the winner of 2020 award, UNDP Yemen. 

## **‘Walking the talk’ on climate and diversity** 

Ashden recognises that to help create the world we want – one of lower emissions and reduced inequality – we must lead by example. While we took promising steps forward in the last 18 months, we must be faster, braver and bolder in the years ahead. 

Our Board of Trustees has backed a new ethical fundraising policy, which will be fully enacted in 2022 after a year of transition in 2021. We already reject funds from fossil fuels companies; now we agreed to transition away from financial services companies funding fossil fuel extraction and production. We also ruled out working with companies whose business model is fundamentally incompatible with a low-carbon future. 

To reduce our carbon emissions, we will use a mix of in-country assessors and virtual meetings as we assess award entrants. We will also offer a greater variety of online events, and explore hybrid formats allowing virtual and ‘in-person’ attendance. We will use this latter approach – which cuts emissions and reduces barriers to participation – to celebrate the 2021 Ashden Awards. 

As the Black Lives Matter movement brought diversity issues to the fore, our staff shared their experiences of diversity in the climate sector. Our actions in this area included more diverse awards judging panels – for example, including refugees in the group judging our 2020 humanitarian energy award. But we have barely scratched the surface in tackling this issue, with further change urgently needed. 



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## **The 2020 Ashden Awards** 

The Ashden Award winners offer the climate solutions that the world needs. We support them directly with a cash grant and opportunities including links to investors, service providers, policymakers and potential customers. We raise their profile within and outside the climate sector, and use their stories to inspire change. 

The eleven 2020 award categories attracted more than 250 entries, with new categories including nature-based solutions and systems innovation for energy access. Despite the challenges posed by lockdown, finalists were rigorously assessed by panels hand-picked for their expertise in each award area. We were delighted to honour 11 worthy winners tackling inequality and building a low-carbon world. 

## **What did this year’s winners say?** 

**“The Ashden win was a big source of hope and positivity in the middle of the COVID pandemic and lockdown in Nepal, when things looked the darkest for us. We could utilise the prize money to solve urgent gaps, support our entrepreneurs and to lift our heads up and focus towards the future. The Ashden Award has also created a sense of pride among our team, and added credibility with government stakeholders.”** 

- **Andreas Kölling, Deputy Managing Director, Build Up Nepal** 

**“Not only has winning an Ashden Award helped draw focus to the work we are doing, but the ongoing support they have provided throughout the year, and the networking and learning opportunities they have offered have been invaluable… we feel extremely fortunate to have become part of the Ashden family.”** 

- **-Clare Elwes, co-founder, e-cargobikes.com** 

**“Receiving the award has changed the life of Iman Hadi, the head of the women’s co-op, and her team. Iman is now a community leader, well respected among both men and women, and is paying her good fortune forward by providing micro-loans to others in the community to get their small businesses established; she has become a pillar in her community.** 

**UNDP is using the prize money in all three microgrid stations to expand access to clean energy to home in the communities. We expect that with the expansion, over 100 households and 2,000 individuals will directly benefit from the solar micro grid.** 

**The attention received internationally – including Iman’s selection as BBC’s 100 Women of the Year – has raised critical interest and awareness of the plight of women in Yemen and the importance of sustainable energy sources where no other energy sources exist.”** 

**- Auke Lootsma, Country Director, United Nations Development Programme Yemen** 



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## **The 2020 Award Winners** 

## **Natural Resources Defence Council** 

Cool Cities, supported by K-CEP and ClimateWorks Foundation 

## **SOLshare** 

Financial Innovation for Energy Access, supported by Citi 


Natural Resources Defence Council 


SOLshare 

**NRDC’s Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan tackles deadly heatwaves in the Indian city – making sure citizens know when extreme temperatures are on their way, and how to respond. There’s support for health workers and public officials too. The partnership, which helps the city’s most vulnerable in particular, has been replicated in 23 Indian states and beyond.** 

**Solar home systems are common in off-grid communities around the world – but they often produce unused electricity. In Bangladesh, technology company SOLshare allows system owners to trade excess energy with their neighbours. Less energy is wasted, and more people are connected.** 



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## **Togolese Agency for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy (AT2ER)** 

System Innovation for Energy Access, supported by UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 


Togolese Agency for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy (AT2ER) 

## **Guru Systems** 

Energy Innovation (UK), supported by Impax 


Guru Systems 

**In Togo, only 35% of homes have access to electricity. The Togolese Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Agency aims to raise this to 100% by 2030, working with the private sector to deliver on- and off-grid energy. Subsidies, training and new technology help the initiative target the poorest households, while half the engineers delivering the work are women.** 

**Guru Systems develops intelligent technology to make energy systems more transparent, lower cost and lower carbon. Delivering low-carbon heat is one of the biggest challenges in the transition to a net-zero emissions future. Their hardware and data analytics help to accelerate this transition by using AI-driven analytics to improve efficiency and change the future of heat for the better including in social housing.** 



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## **Rede de Sementes do Xingu** 

System Innovation for Energy Access, supported by UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 


Rede de Sementes do Xingu 

**In the Amazon, seed collection is key to reforesting degraded land – and creates a vital income for threatened agricultural and indigenous communities, those with the skills and knowledge to protect the rainforest. Rede de Sementes do Xingu is a network of indigenous seed collectors who trade with local farmers and others, in the state of Mato Grosso.** 

## **United Nations Development Programme Yemen** 

Humanitarian Energy, supported by Tellus Mater Foundation, Linbury Trust and JA Clark Trust 


United Nations Development Prrogramme Yemen 

**Community-owned solar microgrids have brought higher incomes and reliable energy to conflict-hit Yemen. The grids were created by groups of local entrepreneurs, with grants and support from UNDP. Now grid owners earn a better living, while their neighbours benefit from radically cheaper electricity. One business is owned and run entirely by women, a striking achievement in a country with significant gender divisions.** 



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## **Build Up Nepal** 

Sustainable Built Environment (Global), supported by Grosvenor 


Build Up Nepal 

**Social enterprise Build Up Nepal empowers women to become construction entrepreneurs, helping them access the machinery, training and support to build homes from compressed-earth blocks. The blocks are more sustainable than traditional fired bricks, and the scheme has already saved 17,600 tonnes of CO2.** 

## **Passivhaus Homes** 

Sustainable Built Environment (UK), supported by Garfield Weston Foundation 


Passivhaus Homes 

**Passivhaus Homes supports the Passivhaus method that guarantees ultra-efficient homes needing minimal energy for heating and cooling. Passivhaus Homes cuts risk for builders through a standardised design and building process, and a store selling approved materials. The company also offers guidance and training.** 



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## **S4S Technologies** 

Energy and Livelihoods, supported by the Waterloo Foundation 


S4S Technologies 

**India’s S4S Technologies has developed a patented solar dryer for food products. It provides the machines, alongside tailored packages of finance, training and support, to a wide range of customers – including women smallholder farmers. Their holistic approach helps even the poorest boost their income, and cuts food waste.** 

## **ITDP India Programme and Greater Chennai Corporation** 

Sustainable Mobility (International), supported by Bank of America 


ITDP India Programme and Greater Chennai Corporation 

**ITDP and the Greater Chennai Corporation are taking bold steps to promote walking and cycling in the Indian city – tackling deadly air pollution and creating more accessible public spaces. The results include 120km of improved pavements, a public bike-share scheme, car-free Sundays, and education and resources for policymakers.** 



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## **e-cargobikes.com** 

Clean air in UK towns and Cities, supported by HSBC 


e-cargobikes.com 

**The rise of online shopping threatens to clog our streets with more polluting cars and vans. e-cargobikes.com have partnered with supermarkets and small businesses to deliver goods via electric bikes across London, with cyclists paid the London living wage and enjoying good working conditions.** 



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## **Future plans - 2021** 

At this pivotal time, we know that only a bold and focused approach will deliver the radical climate action for which so many cry out. 

With the COP26 climate talks just months away, and one year in to the climate decade, Ashden’s mission to accelerate transformative climate solutions and build a more just world is more urgent than ever. 

Coronavirus continues to loom over our plans – but the lessons of the pandemic have also inspired positive changes that we will build on in the years ahead. Our staff began 2021 working entirely from home, but by the second half of the year we expect to have permanently adopted a mix of home and in-office working, with less travel in the UK and abroad. This will shrink our office ‘footprint’ in line with our ambitions to cut carbon. We will offer a greater range of online events, so engaging much wider audiences, and use video-calling technology to bring more diverse voices into our work. 

In 2021 we are running nine engaging awards. Our UK awards will uncover innovation in green skills; green communities; reuse and recycling and heat and energy networks. Internationally, our  awards will put the spotlight on skills for energy access, humanitarian energy, natural climate solutions, regenerative agriculture, and system innovation in energy access. We will announce an exciting line up of winners at COP26, with, we hope, a hybrid inperson and broadcast awards celebration. 

As the founding member of the coalition delivering the Let’s Go Zero 2030 campaign, we will support schools across the UK aiming to become zero carbon by 2030.  During 2021, the campaign’s first year, we will be reaching out to schools and putting the spotlight on the actions that young people and school staff are already undertaking. We will also develop the resources that help them go the next mile. And we will support the international spread of the campaign, starting with the launch of a schools network in the US and responding to interest from across the developing world. 

Our cities team will deepen their engagement with local authorities, in support of community-level climate action, and advocate for policy change in key areas. 

Through networks we will bring neighbouring councils together to wrestle with common challenges, such as procurement, retrofit and citizen engagement. We will continue to grow and publicise our toolbox of resources for authorities, using digital platforms to make these as accessible as possible. 

Our Fair Cooling Fund will wrap up in 2021. Initiatives we co-developed with seven cooling innovators in 2020 will be rolled out – widening access to cooling for those at greatest risk from rising temperatures. We will publicise these and other initiatives, for example hosting webinars on energy access in humanitarian settings, or on the increasingly popular nature based solutions. 

We will significantly develop the Ashden website and social media platforms, and ensure Ashden’s stories are told in the press. Communications will, as ever, lie at the heart of our programmes as we seek to tell the stories of inspiring climate champions and speak with force and authority on the most important issues. New films and photos will bring topics such as sustainable cooling to life. 

Our awards, programmes and communications will come together powerfully at the time of COP26 in November – when we will use the stories of this year’s winners and other Ashden alumni to present a compelling vision of a world powered by effective climate solutions. We also aim to seize on key moments such as London Climate Action Week and New York Climate Week. 

Through 2021 we will develop our new threeyear strategy, a process led by our first Impact and Policy Lead and which will shape our longerterm priorities. Meanwhile, our fundraising efforts will centre on creating deeper, higher-value partnerships with organisations aligned to our values and goals. And we will continue improving the efficiency and professionalism of our operations. 

As part of our strategy review, and better to reflect our mission and the scope of our work, from May 2021 we have amended our name to, Ashden Climate Solutions. 



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Climate<br>pioneers<br>can learn<br>lessons of<br>vaccine<br>effort.<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **by Ashden CEO Harriet Lamb** 

For years I’ve read consultants’ reports of global risks and tracked the climate emergency’s climb up the rankings. I’ve also seen ‘global pandemic’ on those risk-lists and thought, fleetingly, about Ebola and Sars – but I never grasped the dizzying and unforeseen dangers and changes that we have all lived during these past momentous months. Now, finally, I understand how the challenges of climate and coronavirus are intertwined, with communities most vulnerable to the virus at greatest risk from our changing climate. 

This bleak period has underlined the inequalities around us, and that tackling injustice is central to overcoming any other problem we face. More hearteningly, the solutions needed to turn the tide do exist. And just as news of pioneering vaccines brings hope, so should the growth of outstanding climate solutions. 

An unprecedented global effort to develop and roll-out these vital vaccines is underway – now we need a similar global effort to roll-out across societies the climate solutions that can prevent meltdown. But less wealthy countries find themselves last in line for relief from coronavirus – in fighting climate change we must turn this approach on its head, and ensure those most at risk (and least responsible) get the greatest support. 

Ashden’s work from September 2019 to December 2020 addressed the key challenges identified in our 2019-21 strategy, _A Better, Brighter Future._ This included supporting UK local authorities as they turn climate ambition into climate action. 74% of councils have now declared a climate emergency, we have supported sustainability officers with a valued programme of events and resources. Staying in the UK, we launched a national campaign – Let’s Go Zero – supporting schools aiming to become zero carbon by 2030. Schools from Inverness to Plymouth are signing up to the campaign, and we aim to take their calls for action to the COP26 climate talks in late 2021. 

Internationally, with access to clean, affordable energy at the heart of our work, we launched a new award for energy access for refugees and displaced people. We also expanded into areas such as natural climate solutions, and launched a major new project to support fair, sustainable cooling. And we continued to help climate pioneers win crucial investment and funding. 



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In challenging times, we are pleased to have directly supported hundreds of organisations taking on the climate crisis. In the UK and internationally, our expanded programme is bound together by a renewed focus on people marginalised by society because of their gender, poverty, isolation or lack of political power. The struggles against inequality and the climate crisis are inseparable, and only solutions that tackle both will do. 

But as we broadened our horizons, we also looked inward – and saw that Ashden could do more to be the change we wanted to see. So we committed to lowering our own emissions, through greatly reduced travel for example, and to addressing the lack of diversity in the climate sector – with steps such as ensuring more diverse judging panels for the Ashden Awards. These actions are long overdue and we still have a long way to go. 

We were delighted to welcome four new trustees to our team; Agamemnon Otero of community energy organisation Repowering, Sabera Khan of The Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa, social entrepreneur Harish Hande, co-founder of clean energy enterprise SELCO India, and Andrew Reicher of Berkeley Energy. All are former Ashden Award winners. And in a further step to improve our governance, we created a new finance and operations committee. 

As temperatures climbed and coronavirus surged, we found hope in the 2020 Ashden Award winners – true climate champions. We marvelled at the women running microgrids in conflict-hit Yemen, the tech pioneers warming UK social housing and helping residents save on their energy bills, and the village energy traders lighting up rural Bangladesh – showing how in the future we could all be selling solar energy directly to each other. If the rest of us could match their passion and bravery, what a world we would have. 

We can’t all be microgrid engineers – but we can all adapt our own lifestyles, and raise our voices and demand change. At Ashden we are louder than ever, helped by a refreshed brand and new website. Our core message is simple: climate innovators have the proven solutions – now, with the right backing and with support from all of us, they can build a brighter future. 

## **HAR R I E T L AM B** 

## **AS H D E N  C EO** 



e-cargobikes.com 



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## **Going concern** 

The Trustees have assessed Ashden’s ability to continue as a going concern. This has been under regular review since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and continues to be a focus for the Finance and Operations Committee. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on income, although it has affected the way some programmes are delivered and delayed others. The principle source of income continues to be grants and donations received from trusts, foundations and corporate sponsors. Separate to the effects of COVID-19, Ashden has continued to focus on securing multi year funding for its activities and awards, providing greater assurances of longer term security. 

The Trustees have considered several factors when forming their conclusion as to whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate when preparing these financial statements. This includes a review of updated forecasts to the end of May 2021, and a statement of financial support from The Ashden Trust to the end of May 2022. Based on this evidence, Trustees are happy to support Ashden as a going concern into 2021. 


Ashden 

## **Approved by the Board on 26 May 2021 and signed on their behalf by:** 



**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
...................................................................<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


SARAH BUTLER-SLOSS 



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## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities for the financial statements** 

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). 

Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company/charity and of its net incoming resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: 

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; • prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

So far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware. The trustees have each taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. 



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## **Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Ashden Sustainable Solutions, Better Lives Limited** 

## **Opinion** 

## **Conclusions relating to going concern** 

We have audited the financial statements of Ashden Sustainable Solutions, Better Lives Limited for the period ended 31 December 2020 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where: 

• the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or 

• the trustees have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the charitable company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. 

In our opinion the financial statements: 

## **Other information** 

• give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 December 2020 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended; 

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and 

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. 

## **Basis for opinion** 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard. 



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## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006** 

In our opinion based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit: 

• the information given in the Trustees’ report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

• the directors’ report included within the Trustees’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. 

## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception** 

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: 

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the** 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on 

• adequate accounting records have not been kept; or 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc. org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. 

• the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or 

• certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

## **Use of our report** 

This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

## **Responsibilities of Trustees** 

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 29 the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. 


**Tina Allison Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Crowe U.K. LLP Statutory Auditor London** 

21 June 2021 



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## **Statement of Financial Activities** _(Incorporating Income and Expenditure Account)_ **for the Period Ended 31 December 2020.** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
R e s t a t e d<br>U n r e s t r i c t e d  R e s t r i c t e d To t a l  Fu n d s  To t a l  Fu n d s<br>Fu n d s Fu n d s 1 6  m o n t h s  t o  1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>Notes 3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0  3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £ £ £<br>Voluntary income 2 1 , 0 8 9 , 3 9 4 1 , 8 0 5 , 9 9 5 2 , 8 9 5 , 3 8 9 1 , 6 0 0 , 4 9 6<br>Charitable activities 3 3 3 , 9 7 2 -  3 3 , 9 7 2 2 0 , 0 0 0<br>-<br>Other trading activities  4 2 0 7 , 0 1 7 2 0 7 , 0 1 7 2 7 7 , 8 6 8<br>-<br>Bank interest 2 , 1 4 8 2 , 1 4 8 1 , 5 9 6<br>Total income 1 , 3 3 2 , 5 3 1 1 , 8 0 5 , 9 9 5 3 , 1 3 8 , 5 2 6 1 , 8 9 9 , 9 6 0<br>Expenditure  on:<br>Cost of  raising  funds:<br>-<br>4 6 2 , 7 6 9 4 6 2 , 7 6 9 3 3 7 , 4 0 2<br>Fundraising  costs<br>Charitable activities:<br>1 7 3 , 3 1 6 1 4 5 , 7 2 0 3 1 9 , 0 3 6 2 4 8 , 8 8 1<br>Cities and Regions<br>International Climate Solutions 2 2 4 , 9 0 0 5 7 3 , 4 5 8 7 9 8 , 3 5 8 3 5 4 , 9 6 0<br>4 2 7 , 8 1 8 5 6 7 , 0 1 2 9 9 4 , 8 3 0 9 6 7 , 5 3 7<br>Awards and Awards ceremony<br>1 4 8 , 0 6 5 8 7 , 2 5 0 2 3 5 , 3 1 5 1 2 3 , 5 2 5<br>Schools programme<br>7 0 , 9 9 4 4 8 , 5 5 9 1 1 9 , 5 5 3 1 5 6 , 1 5 0<br>Other programmes<br>5 1 , 5 0 7 , 8 6 2 1 , 4 2 1 , 9 9 9 2 , 9 2 9 , 8 6 1 2 , 2 2 8 , 4 5 5<br>Total  expenditure<br>( 1 7 5 , 3 3 1 ) 3 8 3 , 9 9 6 2 0 8 , 6 6 5 ( 3 2 8 , 4 9 5 )<br>Net operating (deficit)/surplus<br>( 2 4 , 5 0 0 ) -  ( 2 4 , 5 0 0 ) -<br>(Losses) on foreign exchange<br>- -<br>Transfers between funds 10 ( 5 , 1 1 6 ) 5 , 1 1 6<br>( 2 0 4 , 9 4 7 ) 3 8 9 , 1 1 2 1 8 4 , 1 6 5 ( 3 2 8 , 4 9 5 )<br>Net movement in funds<br>Reconciliation of funds:<br>3 74 , 9 8 2 3 8 , 0 6 9 4 1 3 , 0 5 1 74 1 , 5 4 6<br>Funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward 11 1 7 0 , 0 3 5 4 2 7 , 1 8 1 5 9 7 , 2 1 6 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Detailed comparative information is provided in Note 13. 

The notes on pages 35 to 49 form part of these financial statements. 



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## **Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2020** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
 1 6  m o n t h s  t o   1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>Notes 3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0  3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £ £<br>Fixed  assets 3 2 , 8 2 4 2 4 , 3 0 0<br>Tangible  fixed assets  7<br>3 2 , 8 2 4 2 4 , 3 0 0<br>Current assets<br>Debtors 8 2 8 , 5 7 0 1 8 5 , 5 5 9<br>Cash at bank and  in  hand  9 2 8 , 3 2 5 1 , 1 9 8 , 0 1 7<br>9 5 6 , 8 9 5 1 , 3 8 3 , 5 7 6<br>Current  liabilities<br>Creditors - amounts falling due within one year 9 3 9 2 , 5 0 3 9 9 4 , 8 2 5<br>Net current  assets  5 6 4 , 3 9 2 3 8 8 , 7 5 1<br>Net assets 5 9 7 , 2 1 6 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>Unrestricted  funds 1 7 0 , 0 3 5 3 74 , 9 8 2<br>Restricted  funds 4 2 7 , 1 8 1 3 8 , 0 6 9<br>Total  funds 5 9 7 , 2 1 6 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>10<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **Approved by the Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 May 2021. Signed on their behalf by:** 


**...................................................................** SARAH BUTLER-SLOSS (CHAIR) 


The notes on pages 35 to 49 form part of these financial statements. 



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## **Cashflow statement for the period ended 31 December 2020** 

## **Reconcililation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities** 

## **Reconciliation of net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
1 6  m o n t h s  t o  1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0  3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £<br>Cash flows from operating activites<br>Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activites ( 2 4 7 , 1 1 6 ) 9 1 8 , 0 0 9<br>Cash flows from investing activities<br>Purchase of fixed assets ( 2 4 , 7 2 4 ) -<br>Interest 2 , 1 4 8 1 , 5 9 6<br>Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities ( 2 2 , 5 7 6 ) 1 , 5 9 6<br>Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year ( 2 6 9 , 6 9 2 ) 9 1 9 , 6 0 5<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 1 , 1 9 8 , 0 1 7 2 7 8 , 4 1 2<br>Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 9 2 8 , 3 2 5 1 , 1 9 8 , 0 1 7<br>Reconciliation of net expenditure to net cash<br>Net movement in funds as per statement of financial activities 1 8 4 , 1 6 5 ( 3 2 8 , 4 9 5 )<br>Interest ( 2 , 1 4 8 ) ( 1 , 5 9 6 )<br>Depreciation charges 1 6 , 2 0 0 1 2 , 1 5 0<br>Decrease in debtors 1 5 6 , 9 8 9 1 , 0 3 3 , 8 5 2<br>(Decrease)/increase in creditors ( 6 0 2 , 3 2 2 ) 2 0 2 , 0 9 8<br>Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities ( 2 4 7 , 1 1 6 ) 9 1 8 , 0 0 9<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


||**Analysis of decrease in cash during the year**|**Analysis of decrease in cash during the year**|**Analysis of decrease in cash during the year**||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**2 0 2 0**||||**2 0 1 9**||**C h a n g e  i n**<br>**p e r i o d**||||
||||||**£**||||**£**||**£**||||
||Cash  in bank and in hand||||9 2 8 , 3 2 5||||1 , 1 9 8 , 0 1 7||**( 2 6 9 , 6 9 2 )**||||
||||||9 2 8 , 3 2 5||||1 , 1 9 8 , 0 1 7||**( 2 6 9 , 6 9 2 )**||||
||||||||||||||||
||The notes on pages 35 to 49 form part of these fnancial statements.||||||||||||||





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## **Notes to the financial statements** 

## **1. Accounting Policies** 

## **a.) Statutory information** 

The charitable company is limited by guarantee (registered number 05062574) and has no share capital. 

The members undertake to contribute no more than £10 each if required in the event of a winding up of the charitable company. 

The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. The charity registration number is 1104153. 

The registered office address is The Peak, 5 Wilton Road, London, SW1V 1AP. 

## **b.) Basis of preparation** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015. 

The charitable company constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 

The Trustees have assessed Ashden Sustainable Solutions, Better Lives' ability to continue as a going concern.  This assessment was revisited at the Board meeting on 19th May 2021. The Trustees have considered several factors when forming their conclusion as to whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate when preparing these financial statements including a review of updated forecasts to the end of May 2022, a consideration of key risks, including the impact of coronavirus, that could negatively impact Ashden and its funding requirements, together with a statement of financial support provided by The Ashden Trust. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on finances.  The principal source of income continues to be grants and donations received from Trusts, Foundations, and corporate sponsors. Some programmatic work has been delayed, or its nature changed as a result of the restrictions on movement and face-to-face interation. However, ongoing dialogue with funders has been supportive and understanding, with many agreeing to project deadline extensions (leading to larger than expected carried forward restricted funds), changes in the use of funds, or changes in the parameters of project delivery. As reported in the financial statements, Ashden held unrestricted financial reserves of £170,035 as at 31st December 2020. 

In the current environment, forecasts for income and expenditure have been reviewed and activities have been amended due to the impact of the crisis e.g. the annual awards ceremony has been reorganised as an on-line event. Maintaining close relationships with funders and flexing activities as required will enable Ashden to maintain its strategy and manage financial risks. 

After considering these factors together with the commitment from The Ashden Trust to provide sufficient financial assistance to Ashden that it may require to meet its financial commitments as they fall due and allow it to continue its planned activities up to and including 31st May 2022, should it suffer a cash shortfall. The Trustees have concluded that the Charity has a reasonable expectation that there are adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and have continued to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis. 

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **1. Accounting Policies** (continued) 

## **c.) Fund accounting** 

Unrestricted funds are donations and other income received or generated for the charitable purposes of the charitable company. 

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund. 

## **d.) Total income** 

Income is recognised when the charitable company has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be reliably measured. 

Income from grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. 

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition have been met. 

## **e.) Interest receivable** 

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. 

## **f.) Total expenditure** 

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings: 

- Fundraising costs relate to the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the costs of any activities with a fundraising purpose. 

- Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of programmes and awards undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs. 

- Support costs comprise staff and office costs.  The majority of these costs support the promotion of sustainable and renewable energy activity and are so allocated. 

## **g.) Charitable activity** 

The Trustees consider that the promotion of sustainable and renewable energy is the charity's sole charitable activity. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

**1. Accounting Policies** (continued) 

## **h.) Tangible fixed assets** 

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £5,000. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use. 

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rate used is: 

Leasehold improvements - 10% per annum straight line. 

## **i.) Financial instruments** 

The Trust has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments.  Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 

## **j.) Cash and cash equivalents** 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits. 

## **k.) Donations of services** 

Donated professional services are recognised as income when the charity has received the service, any conditions associated with the donation have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the charity of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. 

On receipt, donated services are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. 

## **l.) Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** 

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, which are described in Note 1, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates, assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant.  Actual results may differ from these estimates. 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects the current and future periods. 

In the view of the Trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are likely to result in a material adjustment to their carrying amounts in the next financial year. 

## **m.) Change of financial year** 

During the current reporting period, the decision was made to update the financial year end from 31 August to 31 December. This was to better align the reporting year with the programmatic activities of the organisation. This has resulted in a 16 month reporting period commencing September 2019 and ending December 2020. 

The decision to update the year end was agreed by the board in January 2020. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **2.  Voluntary Income** 

## ~~**During the period, the charity received grants and don**~~ **ations from the following organisations:** 


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During the period, the charity received grants and don ations from the following organisations:<br>U n r e s t r i c t e d  R e s t r i c t e d To t a l  Fu n d s  To t a l  Fu n d s<br>Fu n d s Fu n d s 1 6  m o n t h s  t o  1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0  3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £ £ £<br>Grants  received<br>Alan  &  Babette  Sainsbury Charitable  3 . 0 0 0 1 2 , 5 0 0 1 5 , 5 0 0 5 , 0 0 0<br>Trust<br>Ashden Trust 6 0 0 , 0 0 0  2 0 , 0 0 0 6 2 0 , 0 0 0 4 5 0 , 0 0 0<br>- -<br>Bank  of  America  Merrill Lynch 7 0 , 4 2 3 7 0 , 4 2 3<br>- -<br>Bernard van Leer Foundation 1 0 , 3 2 3 1 0 , 3 2 3<br>- -<br>Bromley Trust  2 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 , 0 0 0<br>-<br>ClimateWorks  Foundation 7 7 2 , 1 7 2 7 7 2 , 1 7 2 1 1 8 , 5 7 2<br>-<br>Department  for  Business,  Energy  and  1 4 3 , 9 5 8 1 4 3 , 9 5 8 7 5 , 0 0 0<br>and  Industry  Strategy<br>Esmée Fairbairn Foundation - 8 4 , 0 0 0 8 4 , 0 0 0 3 0 , 0 0 0<br>Garfield Weston Foundation - 1 6 0 , 0 0 0 1 6 0 , 0 0 0 4 0 , 0 0 0<br>Generation Foundation - - - 1 8 , 4 0 0<br>Grosvenor Foundation - 6 0 , 0 0 0 6 0 , 0 0 0 -<br>Headley Trust - 1 , 0 0 0 1 , 0 0 0 1 0 , 0 0 0<br>J A Clarke Foundation - 2 5 , 0 0 0 2 5 , 0 0 0 -<br>JJ Charitable Trust 5 0 , 0 0 0 - 5 0 , 0 0 0 1 0 0 , 0 0 0<br>John Ellerman Foundation - 5 0 , 7 3 7 5 0 , 7 3 7 -<br>- -<br>Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust 1 3 , 3 3 4 1 3 , 3 3 4<br>Linbury Trust 1 8 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 2 2 5 , 0 0 0<br>Lund Trust - 5 0 , 0 0 0 5 0 , 0 0 0 2 5 , 0 0 0<br>Mark Leonard Trust 5 0 , 0 0 0 - 5 0 , 0 0 0 1 0 0 , 0 0 0<br>- -<br>Maud Elkington Trust 1 , 0 0 0 1 , 0 0 0<br>- -<br>Morel Trust 2 , 0 0 0 2 , 0 0 0<br>MSC Charitable Trust -  2 2 , 9 6 8 2 2 , 9 6 8 -<br>- -<br>National Lottery Community fund 1 3 , 9 8 0 1 3 , 9 8 0<br>- -<br>Pickwell Foundation 7 , 5 0 0 7 , 5 0 0<br>- - -<br>Queen Anne's Gate 2 0 , 0 0 0<br>- - -<br>Rothschild Foundation 1 0 , 0 0 0<br>Schroder Foundation 8 0 , 0 0 0  - 8 0 , 0 0 0 4 0 , 0 0 0<br>-<br>5 , 0 0 0 5 , 0 0 0 5 , 0 0 0<br>Staples Trust<br>-<br>2 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 , 0 0 0<br>Tedworth Charitable Trust<br>- -<br>Tellus Mater Foundation 1 0 , 0 0 0 1 0 , 0 0 0<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **2. Voluntary Income (continued)** 


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£ £ £ £<br>Grants  received<br>- - -<br>Wallace Global Fund 3 8 , 0 6 9<br>Waterloo Foundation -<br>2 0 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 7 5 , 0 0 0<br>Wates Family Enterprise - - - 5 , 0 0 0<br>Westminster Foundation & Grosvenor - - -<br>6 0 , 0 0 0<br>Estate<br>William Cadbury Charitable Trust - -<br>1 0 , 0 0 0<br>Woolbeding Charity - -<br>1 0 , 0 0 0 1 0 , 0 0 0<br>Donations 1 2 1 , 3 9 4 5 , 1 0 0 1 2 6 , 4 9 4 7 9 , 3 2 7<br>Gifts in Kind - - - 4 1 , 1 2 8<br>1 , 0 8 9 , 3 9 4 1 , 8 0 5 , 9 9 5 2 , 8 9 5 , 3 8 9 1 , 6 0 0 , 4 9 6<br>,<br>. Charitable activities<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **3. Charitable activities** 

|Energy consultancy and audits<br>Other<br>**. arae acves**|**U n r e s t r i c t e d**<br>**Fu n d s**<br>**R e s t r i c t e d**<br>**Fu n d s**<br>**To t a l  Fu n d s**<br>**1 6  m o n t h s  t o**<br>**3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0**<br>**To t a l  Fu n d s**<br>**1 2  m o n t h s  t o**<br>**3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>3 3 , 4 5 2<br>-<br>3 3 , 4 5 2<br>_2 0 , 0 0 0_<br>5 2 0<br>-<br>5 2 0<br>-<br>3 3 , 9 7 2<br>-<br>3 3 , 9 7 2<br>_2 0 , 0 0 0_|
|---|---|





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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 


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4. Other Trading Activities<br>U n r e s t r i c t e d  R e s t r i c t e d To t a l  Fu n d s  To t a l  Fu n d s<br>Fu n d s Fu n d s 1 6  m o n t h s  t o  1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0  3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £ £ £<br>-<br>Awards and events sponsorship 1 6 8 , 0 0 0 1 6 8 , 0 0 0 2 4 8 , 0 0 0<br>- -<br>Programme sponsorship 3 5 , 8 5 0 3 5 , 8 5 0<br>-<br>Membership income 3 , 1 6 7 3 , 1 6 7 2 0 , 9 1 0<br>- - -<br>Ticket sales  8 , 9 5 8<br>-<br>2 0 7 , 0 1 7 2 0 7 , 0 1 7 2 7 7 , 8 6 8<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


During the year, sponsorship for awards and events was gratefully received from Bloomberg NEF, Cazenove Capital, Citi, HSBC UK, IMPAX asset management UK and Wren Investment Office. 


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5. Analysis of Expenditure<br>S u p p o r t  O t h e r<br>Current period S t a f f  c o s t s D i r e c t  c o s t s s t a f f  c o s t s  s u p p o r t  To t a l<br>( a p p o r t i o n e d ) c o s t s  c o s t s<br>£ £ £ £ £<br>Cities and Regions 1 3 5 , 0 1 2 7 7 , 9 7 2 9 1 , 2 3 0 1 4 , 8 2 2 3 1 9 , 0 3 6<br>International Climate Solutions 1 0 2 , 0 3 9 5 2 7 , 1 6 2 6 8 , 9 4 9 1 0 0 , 2 0 8 7 9 8 , 3 5 8<br>Awards and Awards Ceremony 3 0 5 , 8 3 8 4 0 5 , 2 9 1 2 0 6 , 6 6 0 7 7 , 0 4 1 9 9 4 , 8 3 0<br>Schools  9 2 , 9 5 8 6 6 , 8 3 9 6 2 , 8 1 3 1 2 , 7 0 5 2 3 5 , 3 1 5<br>Other Programmes 5 6 , 1 8 0 2 1 , 3 5 3 3 7 , 9 6 1 4 , 0 5 9 1 1 9 , 5 5 3<br>Raising funds 2 5 3 , 9 9 0 3 1 , 2 1 9 1 7 1 , 6 2 6 5 , 9 3 4 4 6 2 , 7 6 9<br>-<br>Support costs 6 3 9 , 2 3 9 2 1 4 , 7 6 9 ( 6 3 9 , 2 3 9 ) ( 2 1 4 , 7 6 9 )<br>Total expenditure 1 , 5 8 5 , 2 5 6 1 , 3 4 4 , 6 0 5 - - 2 , 9 2 9 , 8 6 1<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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**Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 


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5. Analysis of Expenditure (continued)<br>S u p p o r t  O t h e r<br>Prior period S t a f f  c o s t s D i r e c t  c o s t s s t a f f  c o s t s  s u p p o r t  To t a l<br>( a p p o r t i o n e d ) c o s t s  c o s t s<br>£ £ £ £ £<br>Cities and Regions 6 6 , 7 0 6 7 5 , 1 4 1 5 4 , 3 1 4 5 2 , 7 2 0 2 4 8 , 8 8 1<br>International Climate Solutions 74 , 3 8 1 1 2 9 , 2 9 9 6 0 , 5 6 3 9 0 , 7 1 7 3 5 4 , 9 6 0<br>Awards and Awards Ceremony 2 0 5 , 8 3 4 3 4 9 , 1 4 6 1 6 7 , 5 9 3 2 4 4 , 9 6 4 9 6 7 , 5 3 7<br>Schools  3 6 , 3 2 0 3 3 , 8 7 0 2 9 , 5 7 2 2 3 , 7 6 3 1 2 3 , 5 2 5<br>Other Programmes 5 0 , 8 9 8 3 7 , 5 0 1 4 1 , 4 4 1 2 6 , 3 1 0 1 5 6 , 1 5 0<br>Raising funds 1 6 9 , 8 74 4 0 , 6 7 5 1 3 8 , 3 1 5 2 8 , 5 3 8 3 7 7 , 4 0 2<br>-<br>Support costs 4 9 1 , 7 9 8 4 6 7 , 0 1 2 ( 4 9 1 , 7 9 8 ) ( 4 6 7 , 0 1 2 )<br>- -<br>Total expenditure 1 , 0 9 5 , 8 1 1 1 , 1 3 2 , 6 4 4 2 , 2 2 8 , 4 5 5<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


The restatement of the 2019 figures on the face of the SOFA relates to the reclassification of charitable activities. This is to better reflect the current activities of the organisation as programmatic work outside of the Ashden awards continues to grow. No adjustments have been  made to the year end position. 

Within support costs above, governance costs totalled £1,505 (2019: £4,690). Travel expenses of £nil (2019: £4,690) were paid on behalf of no Trustees (2019: 2). 


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Expenditure is stated after charging:<br>P e r i o d  t o  Ye a r  t o<br>3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0  3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £<br>Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 1 6 , 2 0 0 1 2 , 1 5 0<br>Auditor's remuneration-audit 4 , 3 7 0 3 , 1 8 0<br>Auditor's remuneration-other 1 , 5 4 5 1 , 5 0 0<br>Legal fees 1 , 6 9 0 4 , 0 0 5<br>Irrecoverable VAT<br>3 3 , 4 0 6 1 0 5 , 0 3 0<br>7 5 , 2 1 1 1 2 5 , 8 6 5<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Included within direct costs are grants payable under the Fair Cooling Fund, funded by The Climateworks Foundation. Grants approved in the period but not paid by period end are considered current liabilities and all due within one year. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 


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5. Analysis of Expenditure (continued)<br>Reconciliation of grants payable Period to 31.12.2020 Year to 31 August 2019<br>£ £ £ £<br>- -<br>Commitments at 1 September 2019<br>Grants approved in the period 4 3 4 , 7 1 0 -<br>-<br>Grants payable for the period  4 3 4 , 7 1 0<br>Grants paid during the period ( 3 3 7 , 6 1 2 ) -<br>-<br>Commitments at 31 December 2020 due within  9 7 , 0 9 8<br>one year<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


During the period, £4,530 (2019 : £3,180) was charged for the current period's audit, and £160 (2019: £nil) was released as an over accrual of the prior year fee. 

No Trustee received any remuneration during the current or prior year. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 


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6. Analysis of Staff Costs<br>To t a l  Fu n d s  To t a l  Fu n d s<br>1 6  m o n t h s  t o  1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0 3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £<br>Wages and salaries  1 , 2 5 1 , 6 5 0 8 9 9 , 9 1 5<br>Social security costs  9 3 , 0 0 4 9 1 , 3 5 8<br>Pensions costs  1 5 3 , 5 2 0 1 0 4 , 5 3 8<br>1 , 4 9 8 , 1 74 1 , 0 9 5 , 8 1 1<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


Some of the charity administration and the Registered Office costs are shared with the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts. A share of support and administration costs has been allocated to Ashden, including a proportionate share of the costs of employing administrative staff in 2019/20. 

The actual number of staff employed during the year was 33, mostly full time but some are on a parttime basis (2019: 36). This equates to 21.2 full-time employees (2019: 20.1), and a monthly average head count of 26.2 (2019: 23.7). The charity considers its key management personnel to comprise the Principal Officers. The total employment benefits, including employer pension contributions, of those key management personnel, were £530,156 (2019: £306,724), incurred by 5 (2019: 8) members of staff. The charity had 6 (2019:3) members of staff paid over £60,000 during the period (salary plus taxable benefits excluding pension contributions). 


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1 6  m o n t h s  t o  1 2  m o n t h s  t o<br>3 1 . 1 2 . 2 0 2 0 3 1 . 0 8 . 2 0 1 9<br>£ £<br>£60,001-£70,000 2 2<br>£70,001-£80,000  0 1<br>£80,001-£90,000 1 0<br>£90,001-£100,000 2 0<br>£100,001-£110,000 1 0<br>6 3<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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## **Notes to the financial statements (** ~~**continued)**~~ 


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7. Tangible Fixed Assets<br>L e a s e h o l d<br>I m p r o v e m e n t<br>£<br>Cost<br>At 1 September 2019 1 2 1 , 5 0 0<br>Additions 2 4 , 7 2 4<br>Cost at 31 December 2020 1 4 6 , 2 2 4<br>Depreciation<br>At 1 September 2019 9 7 , 2 0 0<br>Charge for the period 1 6 , 2 0 0<br>Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 2020 1 1 3 , 4 0 0<br>Net book value at 31 December 2020 3 2 , 8 2 43 2 , 8 2 4<br>Net book value at 31 August 2019 2 4 , 3 0 0<br>8. Debtors<br>2 0 2 0 2 0 1 9<br>£ £<br>Trade debtors 6 , 0 0 0 4 9 , 8 1 6<br>Prepayments 1 8 , 9 9 0 2 , 9 7 0<br>-<br>Accrued Income 1 2 6 , 0 0 0<br>Gift aid recoverable 3 , 3 0 0 5 , 74 8<br>Other debtors 2 8 0 1 , 0 2 5<br>2 8 , 5 7 0 1 8 5 , 5 5 9<br>9. Creditors - Amounts due within 1 year<br>2 0 2 0 2 0 1 9<br>£ £<br>Trade creditors 3 3 , 5 6 1 6 8 , 7 7 2<br>Accruals 1 2 6 , 2 3 1 1 6 1 , 0 9 9<br>-<br>Grants payable within one year 9 7 , 0 9 8<br>Taxation and social security 1 3 , 5 5 9 7 1 , 8 0 5<br>Other creditors 1 2 2 , 0 5 4 6 9 3 , 1 4 9<br>3 9 2 , 5 0 3 9 9 4 , 8 2 5<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **10. Analysis of Net Assets Between Funds** 


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Current period<br> U n r e s t r i c t e d R e s t r i c t e d  To t a l<br>Fu n d s Fu n d s 2 0 2 0<br>£ £ £<br>Fund balances at 31 December 2020 are represented by:<br>Tangible fixed assets 3 2 , 8 2 4 - 3 2 , 8 2 4<br>Current assets<br>3 3 2 ,  3 1 4 6 2 4 , 5 8 1 9 5 6 , 8 9 5<br>Current liabilites<br>( 1 9 5 , 1 0 3 ) ( 1 9 7 , 4 0 0 ) ( 3 9 2 , 5 0 3 )<br>Total net assets 1 7 0 , 0 3 5 4 2 7 , 1 8 1 5 9 7 , 2 1 6<br>Movement in the year<br>Opening balance as at 1 September 2019 3 74 , 9 8 2 3 8 , 0 6 9 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>Total income 1 , 3 3 2 , 5 3 1 1 , 8 0 5 , 9 9 5 3 , 1 3 8 , 5 2 6<br>Cost of raising funds ( 4 6 2 , 7 6 9 ) - ( 4 6 2 , 7 6 9 )<br>Charitable activities<br>( 1 , 0 4 5 , 0 9 3 ) ( 1 , 4 2 1 , 9 9 9 ) ( 2 , 4 6 7 , 0 9 2 )<br>Loss on foreign exchange ( 2 4 , 5 0 0 ) - ( 2 4 , 5 0 0 )<br>Transfers between funds -<br>( 5 , 1 1 6 ) 5 , 1 1 6<br>Closing balance as at 31 December 2020 1 7 0 , 0 3 5 4 2 7 , 1 8 1 5 9 7 , 2 1 6<br>Prior period<br>Fund balances at 31 August 2019 are represented by:<br>Tangible fixed assets 2 4 , 3 0 0 - 2 4 , 3 0 0<br>Current assets<br>1 , 2 0 2 , 9 8 6 1 8 0 , 5 9 0 1 , 3 8 3 , 5 7 6<br>Current liabilites<br>( 8 5 2 , 3 0 4 ) ( 1 4 2 , 5 2 1 ) ( 9 9 4 , 8 2 5 )<br>Total net assets 3 74 , 9 8 2 3 8 , 0 6 9 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>Movement in the year<br>Opening balance as at 1 September 2018 6 1 9 , 6 9 9 1 2 1 , 8 4 7 74 1 , 5 4 6<br>Total income 1 , 2 9 1 , 7 0 9 6 0 8 , 2 5 1 1 , 8 9 9 , 9 6 0<br>Cost of raising funds ( 1 9 4 , 9 0 4 ) - ( 1 9 4 , 9 0 4 )<br>Charitable activities<br>( 1 , 3 3 2 , 8 74 ) ( 7 0 0 , 6 7 7 ) ( 2 , 0 3 3 , 5 5 1 )<br>Transfers between funds -<br>( 8 , 6 4 8 ) 8 , 6 4 8<br>Closing balance as at 31 August 2019 3 74 , 9 8 2 3 8 , 0 6 9 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **11. Movement in Funds** 


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Analysis of movement on Restricted Funds<br>Transfer<br>(to)/from<br>Current period Balance as  Income Expenditure unrestricted  Balance as<br>at 1.9.2019 funds at 31.12.2020<br>£ £ £ £ £<br>Cities and Regions<br>- -<br>Esmee Fairbairn Foundation 5 2 , 5 8 0 2 2 , 6 4 5 2 9 , 9 3 5<br>- -<br>John Ellerman Foundation 5 0 , 7 3 7 3 7 , 3 7 5 1 3 , 3 6 2<br>Other (below £25k) - 9 0 , 2 8 2 8 5 , 7 0 0 2 0 4 , 6 0 2<br>International Climate Solutions<br>- -<br>Climateworks Foundation 6 7 1 , 7 9 0 5 7 3 , 4 5 8 9 8 , 3 3 2<br>Awards and Awards Ceremony<br>- -<br>Bank of America 7 0 , 4 2 3 6 2 , 0 7 6 8 , 3 4 7<br>- -<br>Department for Business, Energy  1 4 3 , 9 5 8 1 5 1 , 6 4 4 ( 7 , 6 8 6 )<br>and Industry Strategy<br>Climateworks Foundation - -<br>1 0 0 , 3 8 2 7 5 , 5 9 8 2 4 , 7 8 4<br>Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - 3 1 , 4 2 0 2 3 , 0 8 6 - 8 , 3 3 4<br>Grosvenor - 6 0 , 0 0 0 5 7 , 0 9 9 - 2 , 9 0 1<br>JAC Trust - 2 5 , 0 0 0 2 5 , 0 0 0 - -<br>Garfield Weston Foundation - 1 6 0 , 0 0 0 5 6 , 6 7 2 - 1 0 3 , 3 2 8<br>The Waterloo Foundation - 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 7 5 , 7 1 2 - 2 4 , 2 8 8<br>- -<br>Other (below £25k) 5 3 , 8 2 3 4 0 , 1 2 5 1 3 , 6 9 8<br>Schools  Programme<br>- -<br>Lund Trust  5 0 , 0 0 0 4 1 , 6 6 7 8 , 3 3 3<br>- -<br>Other (below £25k) 4 5 , 6 0 0 4 5 , 5 8 3 ( 1 7 )<br>Other programmes<br>- -<br>Wallace Global Fund 3 8 , 0 6 9 4 3 , 1 8 2 5 , 1 1 3<br>The Waterloo Foundation - 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 5 , 3 7 7 - 9 4 , 6 2 3<br>3 8 , 0 6 9 1 , 8 0 5 , 9 9 5 1 , 4 2 1 , 9 9 9 5 , 1 1 6 4 2 7 , 1 8 1<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


During the year, transfers occurred where costs were under or over those budgeted and included in funder proposals. Where costs have been underspent, this has been communicated to the funder and the transfer of the remaining balance into unrestricted funds agreed. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **11. Movement in Funds (continued)** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
Analysis of movement on Restricted Funds<br>Transfer<br>(to)/from<br>Prior year Balance as  Income Expenditure unrestricted  Balance as<br>at 1.9.2018 funds at 31.8.2019<br>£ £ £ £ £<br>Cities and Regions<br>- - -<br>The Bromley Trust 2 0 , 0 0 0 2 0 , 0 0 0<br>- -<br>Esmee Fairbairn Foundation 3 0 , 0 0 0 2 8 , 2 1 9 ( 1 , 7 8 1 )<br>Other (below £25k) 5 0 , 0 0 0 5 0 , 0 0 0<br>International Climate Solutions<br>Awards and Awards Ceremony<br>Garfield Weston Foundation - - -<br>4 0 , 0 0 0 4 0 , 0 0 0<br>ClimateWorks Foundation<br>- -<br>1 1 8 , 5 7 2 1 1 6 , 2 1 1 ( 2 , 3 6 1 )<br>Department forBusiness, Energy  - -<br>7 5 , 0 0 0 7 9 , 7 3 5 4 , 7 3 5<br>and Industry Strategy<br>Waterloo Foundation - 7 5 , 0 0 0 7 5 , 0 0 0 - -<br>- - -<br>Westminster Foundation & 6 0 , 0 0 0 6 0 , 0 0 0<br>Grosvenor Estate<br>Other (below £25k) - 7 9 , 6 1 0 7 9 , 6 1 0 - -<br>Schools  Programme<br>Bank of America Merryl Lynch 5 7 , 8 4 4 - 5 7 , 8 4 4 - -<br>Lund Foundation - - -<br>2 5 , 0 0 0 2 5 , 0 0 0<br>Other (below 25k) - 1 7 , 0 0 0 1 7 , 0 0 0 - -<br>Other programmes<br>IKEA Foundation 4 4 , 0 0 3 - 5 2 , 0 5 8 8 , 0 5 5 -<br>Wallace Global fund - 3 8 , 0 6 9 - - 3 8 , 0 6 9<br>1 2 1 , 8 4 7 6 0 8 , 2 5 1 7 0 0 , 6 7 7 8 , 6 4 8 3 8 , 0 6 9<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **11. Movement in Funds (continued)** 

## **Description of restricted funds** 

Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - Funding the UK award for 2021 Green Communities award, and for work with the North of Tyne Combined Authority, demonstrating how climate policy can deliver better outcomes across the Authority’s work. 

John Ellerman Foundation - Funding for a Development Officer to join the Liveable Cities team. 

Climateworks Foundation - Funding for continued support to develop an award to help identify and showcase sustainable cooling technologies. Funding to work with a cohort of innovators to increase fair access to cooling for vulnerable communities most at risk from heat stress. 

Bank of America - Funding for the international award for Sustainable Mobility. 

Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy - Funding for the international award for Natural Climate Solutions and System Innovation for Natural Climate solutions awards. 

Grosvenor - Funding for the international award for Sustainable Buildings. 

JAC  Trust - Funding for the international award for Humanitarian Energy. 

Garfield Weston Foundation - Funding for the 2020 UK awards for Sustainble Built Environment, and the 2021 Green Skills award. 

The Waterloo Foundation - Funding for the international award for Energy and Livelihoods, and to support strategic development for 2021-2023. 

Lund Trust - Funding for the Schools programme. 

## **12. Related Party Transactions** 

Grants of £620,000 (2019:£450,000) were received from The Ashden Trust (registered charity number 802623) of which Sarah Butler-Sloss is the Settlor and Trustee. There was no amount outstanding at year end (2019: £nil). 

Grants of £200,000 (2019: £225,000) were received from The Linbury Trust (registered charity number 287077) of which Sarah Butler-Sloss and Mark Sainsbury are Trustees. There was no amount outstanding at year end (2019: £nil). 

A grant of £50,000 (2019:£100,000) was received from the Mark Leonard Trust (registered charity number 104323) of which Mark Sainsbury is the Settlor and Trustee. There was no amount outstanding at year end (2019: £nil). 

During the year, Andrew Reicher was appointed Treasurer. Under the Ashden Friends membership scheme, £1,967 (2019: £983) was received from Andrew Reicher, a long term member. This transaction was at arm's length and within the normal course of Ashden's activities. 



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## **Notes to the financial statements (continued)** 

## **13.  Comparative Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August** 


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Restated<br> U n r e s t r i c t e d R e s t r i c t e d  To t a l  Fu n d s<br>Notes Fu n d s Fu n d s 2 0 1 9<br>£ £ £<br>Income from:<br>Donations and voluntary income 2 9 9 2 , 2 4 5 6 0 8 , 2 5 1 1 , 6 0 0 , 4 9 6<br>Charitable activities  3 2 0 , 0 0 0 - 2 0 , 0 0 0<br>-<br>Other trading activities 4 2 7 7 , 8 6 8 2 7 7 , 8 6 8<br>Bank interest 1 , 5 9 6 - 1 , 5 9 6<br>Total income 1 , 2 9 1 , 7 0 9 6 0 8 , 2 5 1 1 , 8 9 9 , 9 6 0<br>Expenditure on:<br>Cost of raising funds:<br>-<br>Fundraising costs  3 7 7 , 4 0 2 3 7 7 , 4 0 2<br>Charitable activities::<br>Cities and Regions 1 5 0 , 6 6 2 9 8 , 2 1 9 2 4 8 , 8 8 1<br>International Climate Solutions 3 5 4 , 9 6 0 - 3 5 4 , 9 6 0<br>Awards and Awards Ceremony 5 1 6 , 9 8 1 4 5 0 , 5 5 6 9 6 7 , 5 3 7<br>Schools 2 3 , 6 8 1 9 9 , 8 4 4 1 2 3 , 5 2 5<br>Other programmes 1 0 4 , 0 9 2 5 2 , 0 5 8 1 5 6 , 1 5 0<br>Total expenditure 5 1 , 5 2 7 , 7 7 8 7 0 0 , 6 7 7 2 , 2 2 8 , 4 5 5<br>Net operating (loss) ( 2 3 6 , 0 6 9 ) ( 9 2 , 4 2 6 ) ( 3 2 8 , 4 9 5 )<br>-<br>Transfers between funds 10 ( 8 , 6 4 8 ) 8 , 6 4 8<br>Net movement in funds ( 2 4 4 , 7 1 7 ) ( 8 3 , 7 7 8 ) ( 3 2 8 , 4 9 5 )<br>Reconciliation of funds:<br>Funds brought forward 6 1 9 , 6 9 9 1 2 1 , 8 4 7 74 1 , 5 4 6<br>Total funds carried forward 11 3 74 , 9 8 2 3 8 , 0 6 9 4 1 3 , 0 5 1<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>




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R e p o r t  a n d  A c c o u n t s 3 1  D e c e m b e r  2 0 2 0 

**A Company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Company Registration No: 5062574 Charity No: 1104153** 

