Climate change package: a European agreement is more necessary than ever

Bruxelles, 08/12/2008

This agreement must place the European Union (EU) on the path to an energy-efficient economy with low carbon emissions and offering quality jobs in environmentally acceptable industries and services.

The financial and climate crises are further proof that it is urgent to put in place another development model grounded in sustainable development, in which environmentally friendly industry must have its rightful place.

Delaying the introduction of strict standards for CO2 emissions from cars will not solve the serious crisis the automotive industry is experiencing at present. ETUC considers it urgent to develop a European plan for the automotive industry offering a long-term approach to the future of this sector.

ETUC Confederal Secretary Joël Decaillon declared: ‘The transition to a low-carbon economy will not happen smoothly and without problems, particularly for workers in sectors that consume large amounts of fossil fuels. The European trade unions refuse to see the cost of this transition shouldered by employees, particularly the most vulnerable. That is why ETUC demands the creation of a European low-carbon economy adaptation fund in order to accompany the transitions imposed on workers squeezed out due to climate change measures’.

ETUC calls for a response for the sectors exposed to known risks of carbon leakage. Such a response must not, however, result in a challenge to the objective of a 21% reduction in emissions from these sectors by 2020. The European trade union movement supports the inclusion of importers in the European carbon market. This would have the advantage of giving the industries from other industrialised countries an incentive to join the EU in its effort.

Moreover, the ETUC will not accept the excuse of the reduction of CO2 emissions as a pretext by certain employers and big enterprises for restructurings, redundancies or relocations, when they simultaneously continue to pay generous dividends to their shareholders.