UPDATED FOR THE SECOND EDITION!

Multiracial, cross-class (MRXC) coalition-building is essential if the climate movement is serious about tackling the climate crisis at the scale it demands. However, a historical lack of collaboration, trust, or healthy mechanisms to deal with conflict often impair those efforts. In addition, coalitions are inherently fragile institutions by nature. This Blueprint report and accompanying workbook provide an analysis of the difficulties MRXC climate coalitions are likely to face and offer recommendations for a proposed path forward. Our intention is that these insights help advocates fighting for a livable climate and communities grounded in justice and shared prosperity.

We begin with a careful study of the social movement and organizing literatures, analyses of five recent MRXC climate coalitions at the state and municipal levels, and insights from two recent gatherings of MRXC climate coalition leaders. We supplement these case studies with dozens of interviews, trainings, convenings, coaching sessions with coalition facilitators.

From scholarship and first-hand accounts of working in MRXC climate coalitions, we find that robust and healthy coalitions require foresight and intentionality around certain variables. Through the conceptual framework of Strategic Culture, we highlight how the concepts of trust, clarity, resources, inclusion and voice, governance, anticipating and planning for conflict, ways of working, collectivizing identity and reflection, and learning affect coalition success. We argue that MRXC coalitions need to address each of these elements explicitly in order to maximize their collective power and minimize harm. Fortunately, we have some suggestions.