FAQ: Make green money count

Giving to reputable green organisations is a great way to help the environment (and it's usually tax-deductable too).

It's also sorely needed: of the total charity pie, environmental and animal welfare causes together only receive around 2-4%.

But research your chosen cause beforehand to ensure your funds will be used effectively and transparently.

One way to donate is to help fund a concrete aspect so you know exactly where the money's going, for example a piece of equipment the organisation needs like a vehicle. You can also choose to donate to a specific project within the organisation, or to a specific environmentalist's work that you would like to support.

Independent charity evaluators such as Charity Watch and Charity Navigator are helpful resources for assessing if an organisation is reputable and run efficiently so that you can be confident your donations are making a real difference.

Some of the environmental organisations Charity Watch, an initiative of The American Institute of Philanthropy,  includes (among many others) in its list of top-rated charities: African Wildlife Foundation, Conservation International Foundation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, Wildlife Conservation Society, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace Fund, Inc.

- Olivia Rose-Innes, EnviroHealth Editor, Health24, August 2012