How we work

Anyone anywhere can join or start their own Fossil Free campaign. Each campaign group is autonomous but is built from the same DNA or building blocks:

We share a Theory of Change for how divestment can tackle the climate crisis
We share the open-source Fossil Free identity and tools that bind our diverse campaigns together
We commit to the same organising principles for how we work together.

What binds our campaigns together into a powerful movement is our shared commitment to upholding and spreading these principles:

Principle #1:

We are inclusive

We welcome partnership with any organisation and the participation of all groups and individuals who embrace and uphold these principles and the Fossil Free theory of change.

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, or a social justice issue, or an economic issue — it’s all of those at once. It’s one of the biggest challenges humanity has ever faced, and we’re going to have to work together to solve it.

We embrace and actively welcome the talents, energy & commitment of all individuals volunteering their time to the divestment movement regardless of their background, experience, ethnicity, religious or spiritual belief, gender and sexual orientation.

We react immediately against disrespect. Our movement is built on the relationships of its participants. We will work every day to build trust, respect and reciprocity among members of the Fossil Free movement. We assume all Fossil Free campaigners have good intentions.

Principle #2:

We are open source

We welcome anyone to use and adapt the Fossil Free name, the visual identity, the campaign tools and symbols of the divestment campaign if their actions, demands and communications are consistent with these principles and the campaign’s theory of change.

We understand that a shared identity makes our movement stronger, and that we are all responsible for co-creating and maintaining that public image.

Principle #3:

We’re all leaders

Leadership is decentralised and distributed across the Fossil Free network. Each individual and group in the movement leads by taking their own initiatives and inspiring others. We suggest, support and respect others’ efforts.

Fossil Free groups are autonomous and responsible for ensuring their organising, facilitation, decision making, communications, tactics and actions are consistent with these principles and the movement’s theory of change.

We encourage a variety of decision-making tools and processes within campaigning groups. This can range from consensus on key strategic decisions and thorough consultation to inform ‘big’ decisions, while entrusting day-to-day decisions to working groups and smaller teams.

Principle #4:

We take action

Mass mobilisations and public actions open the eyes of decision-makers to the power we are building through prolonged organising and campaigning.

We encourage a plurality of tactics — it strengthens our movement. We understand the role of public action in mobilising a critical mass of public support behind our cause. And we recognise the importance of escalating those actions and being creative when our demands aren’t met.

We are committed to maintaining non-violent discipline in all of our actions. We support civil disobedience and those who take direct action but also respect those who are not in a position to take part.