Patterns of inequity cut across every aspect of the energy ecosystem – from environmental harms to climate impacts, to energy insecurity (or energy poverty), to venture investment, and access to clean economy support systems, programs, infrastructure, and jobs. Within the clean energy economy, the legacy of systemic racism and gender oppression persists, and the lack of workforce diversity is prevalent. The clean energy workforce is “older, dominated by male workers, and lacks racial diversity when compared to all occupations nationally,” according to recent Brookings data. “Fewer than 20% of workers in the clean energy production and energy efficiency sectors are women, while Black workers fill less than 10% of these sectors’ jobs.” Other sources such as E2, put the number for Black workers even lower (at 8%), with 16% of the workforce identifying as Latino.
EDICT was created to address diversity and inclusion in the clean energy economy and improve access to jobs for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and other underrepresented groups. The partnership works towards the following three main goals:
Increase support and demand for equity programs in the clean energy ecosystem;
Increase action that host companies take towards transforming their organizations to be more inclusive and equitable; and
Increase student clean energy literacy, access to career pathways and networks, and deepened self-awareness of interests and talents for BIPOC undergraduate students and students from other underrepresented groups.
The companies offering summer employment to Edict interns take a powerful pledge, the Edict Pledge, and join a community of practice created by Elemental Excelerator called “Equity is Dynamic.”
