Editing Richard Branson (section)

==Humanitarian initiatives==

In the late 1990s, Branson and musician [[Peter Gabriel]] discussed with [[Nelson Mandela]] their idea of a small group of leaders working to solve difficult global conflicts.<ref name="prelders">[http://www.looktothestars.org/news/6353-help-free-the-children-with-richard-branson Help Free The Children With Richard Branson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831220741/http://www.looktothestars.org/news/6353-help-free-the-children-with-richard-branson |date=31 August 2011 }}, www.looktothestars.org</ref> On 18 July 2007, in [[Johannesburg]], South Africa, Mandela announced the formation of a new group, [[The Elders (organization)|The Elders]]. [[Kofi Annan]] served as Chair of The Elders and [[Gro Harlem Brundtland]] as deputy chair. The Elders is funded by a group of donors, including Branson and Gabriel.

[[File:ICMEC Board.jpg|thumb|300px|Richard Branson with his mother Eve, and the board of directors of the [[International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children]], April 2014]]
In 1999, Branson became a founding sponsor of the [[International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children]] ("ICMEC"), the goal of which is to help find missing children, and to stop the exploitation of children, as his mother Eve became a founding member of ICMEC's board of directors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icmec.org/missingkids/servlet/NewsEventServlet?LanguageCountry=en_X1&PageId=4888 |title=International Children's Organization Expands Global Reach With Four New Board Members |access-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029054446/http://www.icmec.org/missingkids/servlet/NewsEventServlet?LanguageCountry=en_X1&PageId=4888 |archive-date=29 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first=Eve|last=Branson|title=Mum's the Word: The High-Flying Adventures of Eve Branson|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZdBNBdYKNC4C&pg=PA207|year=2013|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1477245811|page=207}}</ref>

Through the Carbon War Room, founded in 2009, the entrepreneur sought solutions for global warming and the energy crisis. "We all have a part to play, but I believe entrepreneurs will have a really significant role to play in bringing investment and commercial skills to help develop the new technologies needed to grow a post-carbon economy", he said in his interview with ''[[Vision (magazine)|Vision]]''. Through Carbon War Room initiative he has focused efforts on finding sustainable alternatives for three industry sectors: shipping, energy efficiency and aviation and renewable jet fuels.<ref name="vision.ae">{{cite web|url=http://vision.ae/focus/exclusive_interview_sir_richard_branson|title=Sir Richard Branson interview – Vision Magazine|first=Rebecca|last=Burn-Callander|date=January 2014|access-date=2 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527110825/http://vision.ae/focus/exclusive_interview_sir_richard_branson|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref>

He also launched Virgin Startup, an official delivery partner for the UK's Start Up Loans programme. Through this new organisation, he provided loans to entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 30 UK-wide. A pilot of the scheme, which ran over 11 months, injected £600,000 into 100 businesses.<ref name="vision.ae"/>

Branson's other work in South Africa includes the [[Branson School of Entrepreneurship]], set up in 2005 as a partnership between [[Virgin Unite]], the non-profit foundation of Virgin, and entrepreneur [[Taddy Blecher]], the founder of [[CIDA City Campus]], a university in [[Johannesburg]]. The school aims to improve economic growth in South Africa by supporting start-ups and micro-enterprises with skills, mentors, services, networks and finance arrangements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virginunite.com/Templates/News.aspx?nid=96e9b78a-cc3b-4c6e-b4e4-bc0ba18184c1&cid=f010e54f-209d-4736-8586-0a24ae2f35b2&id=85b159fd-d3cd-482f-b2a4-fd47945eb87a/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205141252/http://www.virginunite.com/Templates/News.aspx?nid=96e9b78a-cc3b-4c6e-b4e4-bc0ba18184c1&cid=f010e54f-209d-4736-8586-0a24ae2f35b2&id=85b159fd-d3cd-482f-b2a4-fd47945eb87a/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2013 |title=Virgin Unite |publisher=Virgin Unite |access-date=14 September 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Telegraph 2009">{{cite news|last1=Ruddick|first1=Graham|title=Sir Richard Branson teaches African entrepreneurs Dragons' Den-style|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/supportservices/5906838/Sir-Richard-Branson-teaches-African-entrepreneurs-Dragons-Den-style.html|access-date=3 July 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=25 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228012455/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/supportservices/5906838/Sir-Richard-Branson-teaches-African-entrepreneurs-Dragons-Den-style.html|archive-date=28 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Fundraising activity to support the school is achieved by [[Sunday Times Fast Track 100|''The Sunday Times'' Fast Track 100]], sponsored by [[Virgin Group]], at its yearly event, where places to join Richard Branson on trips to South Africa to provide coaching and mentoring to students are auctioned to attendees. In 2009, Jason Luckhurst and Boyd Kershaw of Practicus, Martin Ainscough of the Ainscough Group and Matthew Riley of Daisy Communications helped raise £150,000 through the auction.<ref>[http://www.athletepromotions.com/celebrity/Richard-Branson-appearance-booking-agent.php Richard Branson appearances booking agent] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124073633/http://www.athletepromotions.com/celebrity/Richard-Branson-appearance-booking-agent.php |date=24 November 2011 }}, www.athletepromotions.com</ref>

In March 2008, Branson hosted an environmental gathering at his private island, [[Necker Island (British Virgin Islands)|Necker Island]], in the Caribbean with several entrepreneurs, celebrities, and world leaders. They discussed global warming-related problems, hoping that the meeting would be a precursor to future discussions regarding similar problems. Former British Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]], Wikipedia co-founder [[Jimmy Wales]], and [[Larry Page]] of Google were in attendance.<ref>Sorkin, Andrew Ross (22 March 2008), [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/business/worldbusiness/22deal.html "Thinking Green While Sifting Through the Sand"],  ''The New York Times''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327012423/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/22/business/worldbusiness/22deal.html |date=27 March 2017 }}.</ref>

On 8 May 2009, Branson took over [[Mia Farrow]]'s [[hunger strike]] for three days in protest of the Sudanese government expulsion of aid groups from the [[Darfur]] region.<ref>{{cite press release| title= Farrow ends Darfur protest fast| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8041777.stm| publisher= BBC| date= 9 May 2009| access-date= 4 January 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090516061007/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8041777.stm| archive-date= 16 May 2009| url-status=live }}</ref> In 2010, he and the Nduna Foundation (founded by [[Amy Robbins (philanthropist)|Amy Robbins]]), and Humanity United (an organization backed by Pam Omidyar, the wife of [[eBay]] founder [[Pierre Omidyar]]) founded Enterprise Zimbabwe.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/business/global/21branson.html New York Times: "Branson Charity Focuses Aid Effort on Zimbabwe" By Stephanie Strom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909010314/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/business/global/21branson.html|date=9 September 2017 }} 20 September 2010</ref>

[[File:Richard Branson UN Conference on Sustainable Development 2012.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Branson at the [[United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development]] in 2012]]
Branson is a signatory of [[Global Zero (campaign)|Global Zero]] campaign, a non-profit international initiative for the elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide.<ref>{{cite news|title=Group Offers Plan to Eliminate Nukes by 2030 |url=http://www.globalzero.org/files/pdf/NYT_Jun29_09_AP_Syndicated.pdf |work=The New York Times |date=29 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513205939/http://www.globalzero.org/files/pdf/NYT_Jun29_09_AP_Syndicated.pdf |archive-date=13 May 2011 }}</ref> Since its launch in Paris in December 2008,<ref>{{cite news|last=Corera|first=Gordon|title=Group seeks nuclear weapons ban|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7774584.stm|work=BBC News|date=10 December 2008|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728005425/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7774584.stm|archive-date=28 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Global Zero has grown to 300 leaders, including current and former heads of state, national security officials and military commanders, and 400,000 citizens worldwide; developed a practical step-by-step plan to eliminate nuclear weapons; launched an international student campaign with 75 campus chapters in eight countries; and produced a documentary film, ''[[Countdown to Zero]]'', in partnership with [[Lawrence Bender]] and [[Participant Media]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Clift|first=Eleanor|title=A Good Start: 'Global Zero' reminds us that eradicating nuclear weapons should still be our ultimate goal|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/236133|newspaper=Newsweek|access-date=30 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413113211/http://www.newsweek.com/id/236133|archive-date=13 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2010, Branson has served as a Commissioner on the [[Broadband Commission for Digital Development]], a UN initiative which promotes universal access to broadband services.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.broadbandcommission.org/commissioners.html
 |title=Commissioners
 |publisher=Broadbandcommission.org
 |access-date=11 June 2011 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514094219/http://www.broadbandcommission.org/commissioners.html
 |archive-date=14 May 2010 }}</ref> In 2011, Branson served on the [[Global Commission on Drug Policy]] with former political and cultural leaders of Latin America and elsewhere, "in a bid to boost the effort to achieve more humane and rational drug laws."<ref>
{{cite web
 |url=http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2011/jan/26/exworld_leaders_form_global_drug
 |title=Ex-World Leaders Form Global Drug Policy Commission
 |last=Smith
 |first=Phillip
 |publisher=stopthedrugwar.org
 |date=27 January 2011
 |access-date=12 July 2011
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629173534/http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2011/jan/26/exworld_leaders_form_global_drug
 |archive-date=29 June 2011
 |url-status=live
}}
</ref>

In December 2013, Branson urged companies to boycott [[Uganda]] because of its "anti-homosexuality bill". Branson stated that it would be "against my conscience to support this country...governments must realize that people should be able to love whoever they want."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/131226/richard-branson-condemns-uganda-over-anti-gay-bill |title=Richard Branson condemns Uganda over anti-gay bill |work=Global Post |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105012712/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/131226/richard-branson-condemns-uganda-over-anti-gay-bill |archive-date=5 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Branson joined forces with [[African Wildlife Foundation]] and partner WildAid for the "Say No" Campaign, an initiative to bring public awareness to the issues of wildlife poaching and trafficking.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.awf.org/projects/say-no-campaign | title=Say No Campaign | publisher=African Wildlife Foundation | access-date=8 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141005202253/http://www.awf.org/projects/say-no-campaign | archive-date=5 October 2014 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Branson is an opponent of the death penalty, stating: "the death penalty is always cruel, barbaric and inhumane. It has no place in the world."<ref>{{cite news|title=The death penalty has no place in the world|url=http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-death-penalty-has-no-place-in-the-world-0|publisher=Virgin.com|date=30 September 2015|access-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001044657/http://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-death-penalty-has-no-place-in-the-world-0|archive-date=1 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, Branson released a letter in support of American inmate [[Richard Glossip]] on the day he was due to be executed,<ref name="death penalty">{{cite news|title=Pope Francis and Sir Richard Branson appeal for Oklahoma inmate's life|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/30/richard-glossip-oklahoma-execution|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=30 September 2015|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215100348/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/sep/30/richard-glossip-oklahoma-execution|archive-date=15 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2021 Branson was among the public figures who called on [[Singapore]] to halt the execution of [[Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam]], a [[Malaysians|Malaysian]] drug trafficker who was convicted and sentenced to Singapore's [[death row]] for heroin trafficking.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59206825|website=BBC News|title=Nagaenthran Dharmalingam: Singapore halts execution of man with low IQ|date=8 November 2021|access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref> After Nagaenthran was executed by hanging at Changi Prison, Branson expressed disappointment in Singapore for its "relentless machinery of death" since it left "no room for decency, dignity, compassion, or mercy".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/04/28/tycoon-branson-raps-singapores-relentless-machinery-of-death-after-nagaenthrans-execution/|title=Tycoon Branson raps 'Singapore's relentless machinery of death' after Nagaenthran's execution|website=Malaysia Now|date=28 April 2022|access-date=28 April 2022|url-status=live |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428010742/https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2022/04/28/tycoon-branson-raps-singapores-relentless-machinery-of-death-after-nagaenthrans-execution/ }}</ref> In October 2022, the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs invited Branson to Singapore for a live televised debate on Singapore's approach towards drugs and the death penalty with [[K Shanmugam]], Singapore's Minister for Home Affairs and Law.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/press-releases/ministry-of-home-affairs-response-to-sir-richard-branson-blog-post-on-10-october-2022|website=Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore|title=Ministry of Home Affairs' Response to Sir Richard Branson's Blog Post on 10 October 2022
|date=22 October 2022|access-date=22 October 2022}}</ref> Branson rejected the offer.<ref>{{cite web |title=My response to Singapore's Home Affairs Minister on the death penalty {{!}} Virgin |url=https://virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson-blog/my-response-to-singapores-home-affairs-minister-on-the-death-penalty |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=Virgin.com }}</ref> In 2023, Branson once again spoke up against Singapore's stance of capital punishment when he protested against the upcoming execution of [[Tangaraju Suppiah]], a 46-year-old Singaporean who was found guilty of trafficking 1&nbsp;kg of marijuana and scheduled to hang on 26 April 2023, and Branson claimed that Tangaraju was "innocent" of the crime he was convicted for.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://coconuts.co/singapore/news/in-the-coming-days-singapore-may-kill-an-innocent-man-richard-branson-on-tangaraju-suppiahs-upcoming-execution/ |title='In the coming days, Singapore may kill an innocent man': Richard Branson on Tangaraju Suppiah's upcoming execution|website=Coconuts |date=24 April 2023}}</ref> Before the [[execution of Saridewi Djamani]] on 28 July 2023, Branson also appealed for mercy on Saridewi's behalf; Saridewi was the first female offender to be executed in Singapore, 19 years after the hanging of [[Yen May Woen]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66309347  |title=Singapore to execute woman on drugs charge for the first time in 20 years |website=BBC News|date=27 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/27/asia/singapore-female-prisoner-execution-saridewi-djamani-intl-hnk/index.html | title=Singapore executes first woman in nearly two decades for drug trafficking|date=28 July 2023|work=CNN }}</ref> 

Branson has spoken out in support of a new trial for Alabama death row prisoner [[Toforest Johnson]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hrynkiw |first=Ivana |date=2025-03-03 |title=Alabama Death Row inmate Toforest Johnson's lawyers push for new trial after Steve Marshall's 'alarming' actions |url=https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2025/03/alabama-death-row-inmate-toforest-johnsons-lawyers-push-for-new-trial-after-steve-marshalls-alarming-actions.html |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=AL.com |language=en}}</ref> In February 2025, Branson used his social media accounts to draw attention to Johnson's case. Branson wrote on Instagram that "[a]n innocent man has been on Alabama's death row for over 26 years, but there is still time to fix this tragic mistake." Branson's post encouraged his followers to listen to the podcast ''[https://lavaforgood.com/earwitness/ Earwitness]'', which tells Johnson's story.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 3, 2025 |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTIxODEwNDA5MDQwMTY1?story_media_id=3560012703253183742&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== |access-date=February 3, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Darrington |first=Patrick |date=2023-10-02 |title="Earwitness" podcast digs into the bewildering case of Toforest Johnson |url=https://www.alreporter.com/2023/10/02/earwitness-podcast-digs-into-the-bewildering-case-of-toforest-johnson/ |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Alabama Political Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 2018, Branson spoke out for [[Jamal Khashoggi]], a Saudi journalist who was killed by Saudi authorities in the Saudi consulate in [[Istanbul]], Turkey by suspending his advisory role from [[Saudi Arabia]]'s biggest Red Sea tourism project. He issued a statement saying, "The disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the [[Saudi Government]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/11/business/branson-saudi-khashoggi/index.html|title=Richard Branson temporarily suspends ties with Saudi government|date=11 October 2018 |publisher=CNN|access-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012010643/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/11/business/branson-saudi-khashoggi/index.html|archive-date=12 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/02/26/the-cia-blames-mbs-for-the-murder-of-jamal-khashoggi|title=The CIA blames MBS for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=26 February 2021}}</ref>

On 1 December 2020 [[Virgin Orbit]] launched [[Patti Grace Smith|The Patti Grace Smith]] Fellowship, designed to offer paid work experience and mentorship in the [[aerospace]] industry for 'extraordinary Black students.'<ref>{{cite web|title=Patti Grace Smith Fellowship|url=https://www.pgsfellowship.org/|access-date=29 December 2020|website=Patti Grace Smith Fellowship}}</ref>

On 10 April 2023 Richard Branson became an ambassador for the [[United24]] fundraising platform.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Branson becomes an Ambassador for the UNITED24 fundraising platform |url=https://u24.gov.ua/news/richard_branson_ambassador |access-date=11 April 2023 |website=u24.gov.ua }}</ref> Іn connection with these events Virgin Unite announced program of evacuations of children with cancer to the world's leading clinics, in cooperation with [[Tabletochki Charity Foundation|Tabletochki]] foundation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Helping children with cancer in Ukraine {{!}} Virgin |url=https://virgin.com/branson-family/holly-branson-blog/helping-children-with-cancer-in-ukraine |access-date=12 December 2023 |website=Virgin.com }}</ref>

===Climate change pledge===
[[File:Secretary Kerry Sits With Sir Richard Branson for a Discussion on Climate Change in Davos (24413230022).jpg|thumb|right|Branson discusses climate change with the [[United States Secretary of State]] [[John Kerry]] in 2016.]]
In 2006, Branson made a high-profile pledge to invest $3&nbsp;billion toward addressing [[global warming]] over the course of the following decade.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5368194.stm |title=Branson makes $3bn climate pledge |date=21 September 2006 |work=BBC News |access-date=29 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306215648/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5368194.stm |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/science/22warmcnd.html |title=Branson Pledges Billions to Fight Global Warming |website=The New York Times |date=21 September 2006 |access-date=29 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702141403/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/science/22warmcnd.html |archive-date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live  |last1=Revkin |first1=Andrew&nbsp;C. }}</ref> However, author and activist [[Naomi Klein]] has criticised Branson for contributing "well under $300&nbsp;million" as of 2014, far below the originally stated goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/13/richard-branson-failed-climate-change-pledge |title=Richard Branson failed to deliver on $3bn climate change pledge |website=The Guardian |date=13 September 2014 |access-date=29 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074122/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/13/richard-branson-failed-climate-change-pledge |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, Klein says Virgin airlines' [[greenhouse gas emissions]] increased considerably in the years following his pledge.<ref>{{cite book |last=Klein |first=Naomi |author-link=Naomi Klein |date=2014 |title=This Changes Everything}}{{ISBN?}}{{Page needed|date=July 2021}}</ref>

=== B Team ===
Branson is the co-founder of the [[The B Team|B Team]], a global nonprofit organization that was founded in 2013 by a group of business leaders who are committed to using their influence to drive positive change and promote sustainable business practice. The B Team has several focus areas, including climate action, human rights, and responsible tax practices. The organisation also advocates for gender equality and diversity and inclusion in the workplace, recognizing that these issues are critical to achieving sustainable business practices.<ref>{{cite web |last=Josephson |first=Kimberlee |date=20 August 2022 |title=How Richard Branson's Space Flights Reveal the Inherent Problem With 'Business Impact Initiatives' {{!}} Kimberlee Josephson |url=https://fee.org/articles/how-richard-branson-s-space-flights-reveal-the-inherent-problem-with-business-impact-initiatives/ |access-date=3 March 2023 |website=fee.org }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Karen |title=Richard Branson says individuals, governments should cap their energy use to help end the war in Ukraine |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/20/richard-branson-people-should-cut-energy-use-to-stop-ukraine-war.html |access-date=3 March 2023 |website=CNBC |date=20 April 2022 }}</ref>