A coalition of trade union, business and environmental leaders has called on the UK government urgently to implement the measures agreed at the United Nations COP26 climate summit in November. A letter to government leaders, signed by Trades Union Congress General Secretary Frances O’Grady together with the Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and green organisations, warns that existing climate policies are not sufficient to meet targets.

Fourteen Governments– including United States, Germany, France and UK - signed up at COP26 to support a socially ‘Just Transition’ to net-zero emissions.  

ETUC position on the Energy Charter Treaty Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 5-6 October 2021 Background

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently issued a very worrying report on climate change, tracing fingerprints of manmade pollution across the changing climate. The reports clearly shows “that every fraction of warming makes the planet less safe – and that every bit of action contributes to a safer future.”

ETUC resolution on “Fit for 55” package Adopted at the virtual Executive Committee meeting of 22-23 March 2021 Summary of key messages

Branches of ETUC-affiliated trade unions in Italy, Filctem Cgil, Femca Cisl, and Uiltec Uil, have signed an agreement with oil company ENI that promotes a just transition for workers, as the business prepares to reduce its carbon footprint. They agreed on a protocol to pave the way for discussions on ENI’s new business structure and its impact on human resources. The objective is to meet the challenge of energy transition in an inclusive way, based on social dialogue and preliminary consultation, with jobs at its heart. 

The European Commission published today its new Adaptation Strategy designed to increase the resilience of the EU against climate change consequences.   While the European Trade Union Confederation strongly welcomes the idea of developing a new EU Adaptation Strategy, we regret to see that the one proposed by the Commission today fails to protect European workers against climate change consequences.

A new EU adaptation to climate change strategy for the world of work ETUC Resolution adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 28-29 October 2020 Summary of key messages

This guide has several objectives: first of all, it provides a clear definition of the concept of adaptation to climate change. Second, it aims to give the reader a clear idea of how climate change consequences will affect the different European regions and sectors. Third, it aims to explain what effects climate change will have on health and safety of workers. Finally, it details a set of recommendations and looks at existing practices to allow trade unions to take action on adaptation at the various levels.

Brussels 31/08/2020 Dear ETUC Members,  Dear Friends,

Brussels 11 June 2020 ETUC resolution on European Green Deal initiatives: Climate Law, EU Sustainable Investment Plan, Just Transition Fund Regulation and new EU Industrial Strategy Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee of 9 June 2020 Summary of key messages

The European Trade Union Movement will welcome the forthcoming EU industrial strategy if the proposals are fair for workers, supportive of the most vulnerable regions and sectors and with sufficient funding to be implemented properly. Workers and trade unions are part of the solution and expect an inclusive governance process to shape and implement the strategy.   

Context

Commenting on the ‘European Green Deal’ announced today, Luca Visentini, ETUC General Secretary said  “With Europe facing a climate emergency, we welcome the Commission bringing forward ambitious climate action. The huge scale of the change required could result in a rise in populism and climate denial unless it is managed in a genuinely fair way. “Climate action must be matched in its ambition by measures to ensure there is a socially just transition to a green economy for all workers and communities.

Brussels 30 October 2019 ETUC position for an inclusive European Green Deal Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee of 23 October 2019

Trade unions, employers and the government met together over the summer to discuss a rescue plan for the Ida-Virumaa region in Estonia. With power plant capacity cut by half, 500 workers have already been made redundant and up to 1,500 jobs could be under threat.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) will participate in the global climate action week to put pressure on world leaders to deliver urgent solutions to the worsening climate crisis, and is calling on national trade unions to take their own actions across Europe. Demonstrations will take place around the world between September 20 and 27 to coincide with the United Nation’s climate summit in New York, where heads of governments must take concrete action to deliver on the promises of the Paris Agreement.

As the world watches the Amazon burning in horror, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) urges the EU and the international community to act decisively to save the world’s largest rainforest. The ETUC proposes that action should include

Draft Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans, ETUC assessment Adopted at the Executive Committee Meeting of 27- 28 June 2019

ETUC Position Key demands to build a Just Transition and boost climate action after the EU elections Adopted at the ETUC Executive Committee of 24 April 2019 Background 

Eight European trade unions are supporting the global day of protest being staged by young people against climate change on Friday: ETUC, EFJ, EFBWW, EPSU, EFFAT, ETF, Uni-Europa and IndustriAll (representing workers in energy intensive industries).

ETUC congratulates and supports students and pupils across Europe for demanding more urgent action to prevent climate change. “We are proud of your responsibility and enthusiasm” said Montserrat Mir, Confederal Secretary at the European Trade Union Confederation. “Young people are right to demand that politicians across the globe deliver decisive action to protect the world that the young will inherit.”

Trade unions this week succeeded in getting Just Transition accepted as an integral part of the UN framework of climate action. At the opening of COP24 in Katowice the Polish Presidency presented its ‘Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration’ with the full support of the European Union. The declaration

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) will be at the international climate ‘COP’ in Katowice next week and urge governments to manage the social and employment impacts of climate action through a socially fair ‘just transition’. The ETUC will welcome the ‘Solidarity and Just Transition Declaration’ presented by the Polish Government and supported by the European Union. The Declaration is expected on Monday 3 December, and ETUC will urge all Governments to back and act on it.

The European Commission is publishing today its long-term EU climate strategy. This is a first step towards the implementation of the UN Paris Climate Agreement beyond 2030. The ETUC welcomes this initiative to set out the emission-reduction scenarios to meet the Paris agreement objectives.