Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matters
Our world faces social, health, and economic challenges of unprecedented complexity and scale. Among these, climate change is a global issue that requires immediate solutions. To address this issue, organizations focusing on designing, planning, and executing climate change mitigation options have immense opportunities for learning, growth, and impact through diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. These organizations can coordinate and achieve a vision of a better future by creating a safe place for people of all races, ethnicities, economic levels, gender, sexual orientations, age, religions, and abilities to make meaningful contributions.
Tips for an Effective Advocacy Strategy
The following objectives and action steps will help enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in any organization, including those related to climate change mitigation.
Objective #1 – Advocate for systems improvement
Action Steps:
- Provide an inviting, safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Enhance interactions and intergroup dialogue that bridge cultural differences by increasing the volume and range of intercultural experiences.
- Create an explicit presence of resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Objective #2 – Create a sustainable organization
Action Steps:
- Identify gaps in hiring practices and create a talent pipeline with measurable goals.
- Update strategic recruitment plans to target underrepresented individuals or groups.
- Hire diverse and qualified staff at all levels by searching for candidates outside traditional and familiar networks.
- Provide opportunities to improve cultural awareness and inclusiveness skills at all levels for an increasingly complex, diverse, and globalized society.
Objective #3 – Develop a coalition of stakeholder
Action Steps:
- Develop a robust network or support system with diverse members invested in the organizations’ issues and can create urgency around this strategic approach.
- Partner with nonprofit, for-profit, academic, and other community organizations and workforce agencies.
- Develop a system that identifies community needs and barriers experienced by individuals and/or groups to help inform action.
Objective #4 – Sustain a financial infrastructure that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion
Action Steps:
- Align financial, human, intellectual, and other resources with the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Ensure that community investments address the interests of diverse communities served and engage underrepresented individuals and/or groups in crafting solutions that meet their needs.
