FAQs

What is Leapfrog?

Leapfrog is a UK based not for profit collaboration that will shortly be a UK registered charity (application pending). It provides free professional support for 3 streams of activity with the primary purpose of accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions.

The supported activities are:

UK based carbon reduction projects (e.g. as a pilot project we are supporting the Ashton Hayes “going carbon neutral” project – assisting the implementation of a renewable energy based micro-grid that will help deliver a carbon neutral community in the UK).
UK based low carbon entrepreneurs (e.g. as a pilot project we are supporting the setting up of the Low Carbon Foundation (a unique charitable venture capital fund that invests in high risk clean tech companies).
International carbon reduction projects (e.g. as a pilot project we are supporting SolarAid with the implementation of its expansion programme).

We think of ourselves as carbon troubleshooters – we use our network of professionals to help accelerate and streamline the delivery of these selected projects and enterprises. Our clients believe we provide them with a really high value package of services.

We intend that the work product from each project that we support will be made available as free ware to other similar projects, to reduce the frictional costs for those other projects and speed the delivery of further carbon reductions.

How does Leapfrog work?

There are 2 key elements here:

i. Skills: We maintain a skills database of a broad network of professionals who have identified their respective skills and indicated the types of projects they would like to work on, and the geographies in which they would like to work.

ii. Projects: Working with a non-exclusive network of organizations including development and climate change NGOs, charities, foundations, Governments, development agencies and multi-lateral lending institutions and companies involved in CSR or pro bono activities we harvest a flow of potential projects. Projects can also be submitted directly using the "Project Idea Note" downloadable from the www.carbonleapfrog.org website. Leapfrog projects are proposed because they may be in a position to benefit from Leapfrog support. The needs of each project are very different, so the Leapfrog team will be flexible. For longer term projects the Leapfrog team will evolve. We will not bring in skills at the outset if the need for that workstream only arises later.

We match the needs of each Leapfrog project with the available skills and form a bespoke team. We are working with a Canadian software developer, Zerofootprint, to build a dedicated project dashboard/workspace which will form the hub of the communications and data sharing within larger project teams.

The project team will normally have its own project manager allocated to ensure the interface between the project proponents and the Leapfrog team is effective.

The Leapfrog team will contract to deliver an agreed scope of works and progress will be monitored, tracked and reported internally to the project and centrally.

At the appropriate time the successful outcomes will be collated and a project report produced. Carbon reductions will where possible be tracked as against the project and Leapfrog overall. Additional social or poverty alleviation benefits will be similarly tracked. Each Leapfrog participant will receive a professionally designed summary for use in their CSR or similar reports.

Why is Leapfrog needed?

Leapfrog exists to enable individuals and organisations that would like to do their bit to support emission reduction measures to do so in a creative and efficient way. We believe an individual can do more working in a multi-disciplinary skill team than that same person can do using only their own endeavours.

The founder of Leapfrog, Steven McNab, has advised on a number of climate change projects. 3 or 4 years ago he was supporting one such project on a pro bono basis, a project under the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, to deliver a renewable energy project in a couple of small island Caribbean states. He provided pro bono legal service since the client had very limited resources. Ultimately, notwithstanding several months of effort from Steve and the client, they were unable to get the projects to the starting line. This experience was frustrating and ultimately at that stage, fruitless. After that failure, however, Steve began to develop strategies by which a better outcome would be delivered in the future. One of the design features woven into Leapfrog is that a team will be pulled together and motivated to support a joint project to increase the chances of a successful outcome. This was one of the early germs of the idea that has grown into Leapfrog.

Subsequently, as a partner at law firm Travers Smith, Steve was close to signing an annual cheque for £30-£40,000 to an organisation that would have enabled the law firm to claim carbon neutral status after off setting its unavoidable carbon emissions. Travers Smith understood that offsetting was a simple enough way of dealing with the matter having already done the easy things (changing the light bulbs, implementing a range of other responsible housekeeping measures aimed at reducing emissions and shifted some of their energy consumption to renewables). In principle, Leapfrog has no issue with an organisation which seeks to achieve carbon neutral status although, as regular advisers on climate change projects, it was frustrating that Travers Smith was unable to identify the specific project that it would see its investment spent on. Steve was well aware of the controversy surrounding some carbon projects and for good governance reasons it was felt important to be able to influence the identity of the project that would be supported. Travers Smith looked for more direct involvement that would avoid the "fire and forget" offsetting approach and could not find the outlet that it was seeking so decided to develop its own scheme – one that would satisfy its ambitions to deliver carbon reductions but also provide an interesting opportunity for members of staff to get involved on a more direct and personal basis. Around this time Steve had a business meeting with Garry Charnock of RSK which sparked off an inspirational debate about how our collective efforts to deal with climate change require a more innovative and joined-up approach. What more could a simple law firm do than change its light bulbs? The tadpole was hatched. A range of collaborators have joined in since to refine and deliver Leapfrog.

We believe that Leapfrog will provide a far more effective and interesting opportunity for a corporate body to have long term active involvement in a programme that will make a direct and meaningful contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They will be able to become actively involved in this project that they will support using the professional skills and expertise on their day jobs, to make a real difference.

In developing the Leapfrog initiative, the trustees have sought to create an organisation that they and their colleagues would be happy to join, that they could get their board or management team to buy-into, a network that they want to be part of and to participate in, to work on projects that they would be excited to see delivered.

How is Leapfrog unique? What makes it different from other NGO's and carbon charities?

Leapfrog is not to trying to reinvent the wheel. It has already, and will continue to link up with other initiatives whether private, public or third sector where Leapfrog participants can make a real difference. In some of the first discussions on Pilot projects with NGOs, it became clear that some third sector organizations are simply not used to dealing with businesses providing pro bono services of this nature. However we will try to partner with those organisation and support them, where appropriate, consistent with our and their objectives. Because they do have hugely committed individuals and experience of delivering solutions on the ground. Leapfrog is actively seeking collaboration with others in the space, whether in the UK or overseas. As part of the project sourcing process (discussed below) it will be seeking to build up project dealflow from a number of sources.

We are building a network of connections with like-minded organizations to add the maximum value to the delivery of our selected projects. We are not interested in replicating existing networks but want to reach out, link up and plug gaps where they may exist. We see too many examples of organisations duplicating existing learning and resources. We aim to be as efficient as possible. This is critical since we will be calling upon valuable discretionary time from professionals who are holding down their day jobs in a particularly challenging economic environment.

We want to give our participating members and their organisation the maximum number of opportunities to draw on their relevant experience and expertise, which is where professionals can add the most value. We would like to ensure that the people best placed to deliver certain services do so (the lawyers will do law, project managers will project manage and accountants will help with the numbers, assessing feasibility and business modeling and so on. We will leave the clean water well diggers to go about the digging of wells).

Using our network of lenders and finance arrangers (etc), Leapfrog will be well placed to support the underlying projects and entrepreneurs to source the necessary finance, whether traditional or carbon based. We will be able to support charities to apply for and attract public funds, foundation grants and other resources, and in time we will operate a dedicated carbon fund (once we have carried out successful fundraising). We will also work with other donor organisations that have overlapping objectives to our own. For example, Leapfrog members are already involved with the design and delivery of the Low Carbon Foundation, the unique carbon charity fund that supports low carbon/clean technology entrepreneurs who might otherwise spend significant periods of time getting their low carbon technologies to market (see www.lowcarbonfoundation.com).

Will participating in Leapfrog let me or my Company claim to be reducing its own carbon footprint?

No – we do not intend that any participant whether individual or organisation will receive carbon credit in return for its participation. We are intending to remain quite purist about the pro bono nature of the volunteers' involvement to save blurring any line which could raise difficult questions of our governance system. Given the reputation of our members we cannot let ourselves be open to criticism that participation is simply a sham to enable carbon credits to be secured. That said, the volunteering participant will be able to claim a moral benefit from its participation and where that individual has made a meaningful contribution to deliver carbon credits, then part of the branding/CSR return to that volunteer, will be a right to say that they have contributed to project x which has delivered y volume of carbon reductions over time.

It is possible that when we are supporting particular types of organisation that would otherwise be paying for the services received, Leapfrog (as a charity) may take a small stake in that underlying project or business in order to deliver a return to the charity (and only ever to the charity as a charity) to provide some long term sustainability for the organisation as a whole.

For certain projects it may be possible for Leapfrog participants to buy, at the prevailing market price, the credits that their projects have supported before they are sold to the wider market.

How will supporting Leapfrog benefit my business and the people who work for it?

Businesses that support Leapfrog projects find that their participating staff develop new skills, strategies and methods that can be added to their skills base and then applied to work within the organization. Additionally, individuals tend to gain personal satisfaction from active, hands-on involvement in CSR projects that help to tackle real climate change and sustainable development challenges.

This involvement can help to satisfy personal and professional goals to diversify career experience and be actively involved in meaningful hands-on projects. They get the chance to ‘give’ during time normally reserved for working, a powerful incentive to stay with the business.

There will typically be a direct feel good factor for the individuals who took part in the project, but quality internal communications can broaden this benefit to the wider business that supported the individuals’ endeavours.

This link to employee engagement is critically important. Sunday Times Best Company Survey indicates that 'giving something back' is one of the main factors contributing to staff engagement. Respondents to the Best Company Surveys tend also to be naturally drawn to ‘leadership and sustainability’ as preferred places where they attach to company strategy.

Business in the Community research concluded that integrating values throughout a business boosts employee satisfaction and retention, creativity and business turnover. This research also suggested that responsible organisations are more adaptable to a challenging and evolving market place. Participating in Leapfrog allow staff to bring their ‘whole self’ to work, and mobilize that extra discretionary effort that often makes the difference. As Jack Welch (2006) noted "…employee engagement first. It goes without saying that no company, small or large, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it."

How does working with Leapfrog help me improve external relations?

Leapfrog offers companies the opportunity to channel corporate goodwill into a tangible programme supporting the desire of customers, clients and employees for positive climate action. There is often a tendency for organizations to take an ad hoc approach towards philanthropic support for green causes which lessens the impact of their efforts.

Working with other businesses on carefully selected projects can increase the impact of a company’s pro bono contributions and ensure that the outcomes are measureable and reportable. Leapfrog projects are put under close scrutiny to check their credentials and ensure that they are everything that they seem to be. This ‘risk management’ is important for reputational protection.

Leapfrog events offer networking opportunities with other high-profile companies in key areas in the climate arena. This group of businesses and associated brands is in the vanguard of a new movement which may attract much positive publicity.

Information about Leapfrog and particular projects in which companies are participating will be provided for both internal and external marketing purposes.

There is a lot of evidence to suggest that an active corporate responsibility programme can make a very positive contribution to the external reputation of an organization. Indeed, surveys by both Mori and BiTC confirmed that consumer choice is significantly affected by perception of a company social responsibility. Additionally, research has determined that institutional investors believe social and environmental risk management has a significantly positive impact on a company's long-term market value and regards corporate responsibility as a proxy for quality management of a company.

What technologies will Leapfrog support?

Examples of technologies we will support include

wind farms or single turbines
biomass projects
small scale hydroelectricity projects
solar technologies
increasing the availability of clean technologies
energy efficiency
medium, small and micro scale fuel technology
fuel switching
biomass and rainforest protection / land use changes
Reforestation

What can I do?

In the first instance, get in touch with Leapfrog. Identify the relevant skills that you have and the kind of projects that you might like to get involved with. If you have an existing network of like-minded friends in other organisation, perhaps team up with them. We can try and find you the right kind of project for your interests.

Is there any cost in becoming involved?

The main cost is the opportunity cost to the organisation involved in providing time on a pro bono basis to a Leapfrog project. Leapfrog will always endeavour to ensure that you have a very clearly and tightly defined scope of work so that you are able properly to cost your commitment and that the project is tightly managed. We are hoping that project participants will come back year on year for more projects and the last thing we want is for there to be uncontrolled scope creep which deters future engagement.

I would like to support a Leapfrog project – will you help convince my employer?

Yes, we will. You will have access to a pack of information that should help you convince your employer, although it will be your commitment enthusiasm that carried the debate. The range of organisations identified on this website as already involved in Leapfrog demonstrate the credit of the Leapfrog initiative. We will be able to put your employer in touch with others in its sector to seek references if that helps.

How will Leapfrog and volunteers deal with conflicts of interest?

Each volunteer would need the opportunity to review the proposed project to avoid conflicts of interest and if it felt uncomfortable would decline to participate.

How will Leapfrog manage these projects as voluntary initiatives?

We recognize the risk that, for a volunteer, fee paying project work might sideline pro bono work. To manage this we will provide a team management structure, open chains of communication and a dedicated project manager. Team communications will be open and we hope that team/peer pressure will encourage delivery against agreed tasks. A form of "Memorandum of Understanding" will exist between project participants and we will do what we can to hold people to their commitments. Some sanctions will be reserved for consistent non-performers.

What will Leapfrog do with any profits that is made ?

Any payments that Leapfrog receives or profits that Leapfrog makes from its projects will be reinvested by Leapfrog in the running costs of Leapfrog (which will always be kept to the minimum) or reinvested in further Leapfrog projects. Professor Peter Cox of Exeter University has recommended that we feed a proportion of the revenues from each project into a Leapfrog "adaptation fund" which will grow until such time as it contains a significant sum of money such that it can be invested in a particular adaptation project. This may, for example, include providing for the construction of levies in a particular low lying region of a developing country of significant risk from sea level rise.

How Leapfrog can help in tackling climate change?

Leapfrog is helping to tackle climate change by supporting projects, which reduce greenhouse gases emissions by:

increasing the availability of clean technologies in place of traditional carbon intensive technologies,
promotion of renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, biomass as well as hydro power,
encouraging fuel switching, and
protection of rainforest and sustainable land uses.

What is Leapfrog's legal structure?

Currently and for a short further period Leapfrog is a not for profit collaboration.

Our application for charitable status is being made to the Charities Commission.

The charity governance structure will have a small number of legal trustees. A wider steering group will actively steer the organization with the staff and will have a contractual obligation to perform certain duties. In due course we will recruit a paid staff. The largest numbers will be participating volunteers and their employers who will not have legal function.

How will Leapfrog expand in the future?

Once the infrastructure and IT solutions are fully developed in the UK we anticipate that similar groups in other countries will set up local linked operations. We will actively support the development of overseas branches or chapters in the way a franchise might only, with no profit making.

Initial discussions with a range of international organisations has indicated that there will be a great deal of interest in forming local related entities. For example Australian, Belgian, German, Chinese and US based lawyers and/or consultants have all indicated a desire to build local Leapfrog branches at the appropriate time.

Our pro bono trademark lawyers at Travers Smith have advised on the strategy for extending the protection to the intellectual property created so far with contributions from Futurebrand, RSK and Omniwiki.

Who can propose a project?

Anyone. What we will require, however, is somebody to "back" as a client who has already made significant effort on their own. For example, where we are supporting UK community projects, we will need to see that those involved have already taken serious steps to reduce their carbon emissions and captured all the low hanging fruit, and demonstrated a commitment to the appropriate level of effort change. When we support technologies and clean-tech entrepreneurs, we would expect the entrepreneurs to have made significant efforts to deliver the project.

What is the joining fee?

In the initial start-up period and the first year of operations, Leapfrog will not be charging a joining fee to members although it is envisaged that in due course membership subscription will be imposed on participants to support the core running costs of Leapfrog. This will be kept to a minimum at all times. It is likely that this will be graded according to the size of the organisation involved but it is intended that the joining fee will not be an inhibitor to any particular organisation from getting involved.

If I or my company signs up what is the commitment?

If you are not a Trustee or on the Steering Group, the commitment we require in order for you to identify yourself as a member of Leapfrog will be to work on a minimum of one project in any particular year. Given the nature of some of these project, the demands on any particular specialist will vary through time depending on the stage the project has reached. It may well be possible for organisations to take on one or more projects at different stages, although this will be very much a question for them. There will be no pressure to do more than one project. Leapfrog's vision is that we will have a very large group of people doing a very small number of projects and together we will deliver significant numbers of projects, resulting in significant reductions in carbon emissions.