Breakthrough Energy, the climate group funded by Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, has laid off dozens of employees in the US and Europe as it pulls back from public policy advocacy work that was a cornerstone of its mission.

Breakthrough Energy, an umbrella group for energy and environmental efforts funded by Mr. Gates, is resetting for the Trump era.

In decades past, as the effects of climate change slowly became undeniable, some looked to the super rich for answers — the billionaires with enough cash to really make a splash. They backed green energy campaigns and carbon capture programs,

Breakthrough Energy, a group started by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates that supports reducing emissions, has laid off multiple staffers and is cutting its policy arm, according to a person familiar with the matter.