Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies.
In order for us to achieve this mission, Fresh Energy firmly centers principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity as we work toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon neutral economy. To do this, we must:
- Include, elevate, and empower all voices, especially those who have historically been marginalized, who face the most significant disparities, and who will be the most affected by climate change. We cannot—and should not—do this work alone. We are committed to developing climate and energy solutions by collaborating with impacted communities and populations, supporting civic leadership, engaging authentically, and building partnerships, rather than pursuing transactional or extractive interactions.
- Equitably advance clean energy in Minnesota by ensuring that the policies and programs we work on truly benefit all and do not leave impacted people and communities behind—including Black, Indigenous, and people of color as well as the workers and communities adversely affected by the energy transition
- Embrace and cultivate diversity throughout our staff, board, volunteers, partnerships with allied organizations, and attendance at our events. We are committed to examining our own biases and fostering diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age and life experience, creed, religion, class, nationality, language, and physical and mental capability. We strive to maintain a welcoming environment in our workplace, our board room, and at our events. Our staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is cross-functional, and actively engaged in efforts to move Fresh Energy forward in these areas.
- Commit to anti-racism across all facets of Fresh Energy’s work. It is the communities that are Black, Indigenous, and of people of color that are hurt first, worst, and longest by climate emergencies—and racism is accelerating the harm. As an organization with power and privilege, we recognize Fresh Energy’s duty and responsibility to work within our sphere of influence to change the systems, actions, and attitudes that have allowed injustice to continue. Read our full Commitment to Anti-Racism (https://fresh-energy.org/anti-racism), first published in January 2021.
- Support the human rights of all, including the human rights of women, transgender, and gender nonconforming individuals in Minnesota, the Midwest, and beyond. When human rights are denied, everyone’s rights are undermined. The right to self-determination is essential for a thriving democracy, and our work in policy-shaping is dependent on a functional democracy.
- Prioritize the health and wellbeing of the whole Fresh Energy team to ensure not only that our staff work in a safe physical environment and the organization addresses health and safety concerns as they arise, but that all staff have flexibility, access, and choice to determine how they can best care for their individual and family’s health and wellbeing.
By elevating a culture, both within our organization and in the spaces where we work, that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are creating an energy future that works for all.
More on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion:
