This article appeared as part of a publication called ‘Working on change – the trade union movement and climate change’. It was produced by Green Alliance, the UK’s leading environmental think tank, and includes contributions from a range of UK trade union leaders. Their articles highlight the scale of the manufacturing and employment opportunities that the transition to the low carbon economy offers and focus on the pressing need to ensure that we realise them.

The article excerpted here, ‘A European approach to climate change’ takes a look at the European Trade Union Confederation’s approach to climate change. The full publication also includes a view from America and a discussion of the trade union – environmental alliances that have developed there. To see the full publication please visit www.green-alliance.org.uk/grea_p.aspx?id=4392