The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Belem, Brazil from November 10-21, 2025. J. Drake Hamilton, managing director, science policy at Fresh Energy, attended the conference virtually and recently sat down with Isak Kvam for a webinar to debrief outcomes and take questions. Tune in and check out J.'s blog series with frequent updates throughout COP.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Join Fresh Energy's Eric Fowler and Isak Kvam for a conversation about why building energy codes matter for Minnesota's climate goals and to unpack upcoming residential building code updates that will make our buildings more efficient, affordable, and climate-friendly. This wide-ranging conversation covers everything from air tightness to insulation requirements and everything in between.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Over 550 people from across Minnesota and the Midwest attended Fresh Energy’s 10th annual Benefit Breakfast on the morning of September 30, 2025, to celebrate the resilience and determination driving clean energy progress in Minnesota, share our vision for navigating uncertain times, and reflect on how local leadership is creating a new playbook for climate action.

Breakfast speakers in this recording include:

• Dr. Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Energy
• Karie Kirschbaum, community development director for the City of Crookston and co-founder of Empower Crookston
• Bob Blake, founder and CEO of Solar Bear and Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development
• Alex Savelli, global executive director – electrolyzers at Accelera by Cummins

If you missed the event, want to share it with a friend, or experience it again, watch the full event here or by viewing the video below. Be sure to check out these great photos from the event. And finally: support Fresh Energy’s important work by making a donation today.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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On July 4, 2025, the federal budget reconciliation bill was signed into law, a move that will have sweeping implications for clean energy and climate progress in the United States. But how will these cuts and changes impact Minnesota’s clean energy future?

Tune into the audio recording of our webinar from August 6 and join our policy experts for a discussion about the law’s implications for clean energy. We also have a lengthy blog on the topic that you can check out here.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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In this episode, the Fresh Energy team discusses the challenging topic of mining and the transition to clean energy. The conversation covers a broad range of topics including investments in clean energy and the need for materials, material waste and recycling, the socioeconomic impacts of mining, what gets mined and what it's used for, the global demand for these materials, and more.

Tune into this episode hosted by Justin Fay, Chief Advocacy Officer at Fresh Energy with guests Brandon Isakson, Managing Director of Industry at Fresh Energy and Kwezi Tabaro, who joined Fresh Energy as a Fulbright, H. Humphrey Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Let’s talk about what happened (or still needs to happen) at the Minnesota Legislature! Join Fresh Energy policy experts for a webinar we recorded the day after the legislative session ended to learn what where things currently stand, what was defended, what's next, and more.

Webinar guests:

• Justin Fay, chief advocacy officer
• Brynn Kirsling, director, legislative and grassroots advocacy
• Jackson Sweeney, session associate

Also...

• The Fresh Energy team is able to give clean energy and climate policy in Minnesota our all because of our donors! You can support Fresh Energy's work here.
• Fresh Energy is hiring! Learn about job opportunities here.

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/

More and more Minnesotans are leveling up their lawn care with an electric mower. But do they live up to the hype and can they tackle the tough stuff?

The good news is that for most residential uses, and increasingly more and more commercial uses, electric mowers are actually a superior and more economical choice than gas mowers. Battery technology has advanced dramatically in the past decade and due to this, we’re seeing more powerful electric cars and more capable electric lawnmowers.

Join us for a webinar we recently recorded with Jukka Kukkonen and guests from Fresh Energy and the Minnesota clean Cities Coalition.

View the video version of the webinar here: https://fresh-energy.org/event/webinar-your-guide-to-mowing-electric

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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Guest Ep! The Impact of Uncertainty with Linda Lubi, Haley Deans, Osman Jermusek, Emma Kapinus, Hariette Ngam, Helen Grote, students at the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment.

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Show Notes:

Across the State of Minnesota and the Nation, the clean energy sector is confronting the impacts of funding uncertainty. Millions of grant dollars towards Minnesota rebate programs, solar projects for schools, and nonprofit initiatives remain frozen, delayed, or rescinded. As the path ahead is unclear for Minnesota’s renewable energy efforts, how do communities and governments navigate the ever-changing landscape of federal funding? In collaboration with Fresh Energy, we met with government and community leaders at the forefront of these federal changes. We developed this podcast, incorporating our interviews and research-based commentary, aiming to create an informative experience for all prospective listeners. Our podcast maps the current funding landscape, acknowledges concerns, and identifies the advocacy that persists in the face of uncertainty.

View references and the original show details here: https://soundcloud.com/impact-of-uncertainty/the-impact-of-uncertainty

Fresh Energy’s mission is to shape and drive bold policy solutions to achieve equitable carbon-neutral economies. Together we are working toward a vision of a just, prosperous, and resilient future powered by a shared commitment to a carbon-neutral economy. Learn about Fresh Energy's work and our bold "Vision 2030: Fresh Energy's Strategic Framework" at our website fresh-energy.org.


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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fresh-energy/