HM Governor's Office
in Anguilla
Unions
With extensive membership bases, Unions can effectively work with the labour force to increase their understanding and ability to take climate action, as well as promote innovation and best practice across the workplace.
Unions are already supporting Government efforts in the transition to a low carbon economy. For example, Unions are providing a valuable link between government and employees and direct advice on how employee skills will need to shift in response to a low carbon skills base. Climate change will invariably bring about new policies that affect the UK’s workforce. And Unions will be at the frontline of this effective transition.
The support of national trade unions will be vital in ratifying, and the subsequent implementation, of a deal agreed in Copenhagen.
Current activity
Traditionally active on social campaigning, unions have continued to successfully engage with the climate change agenda. Unions recently convened the Jobs, Justice, Climate campaign, in the lead up to the G20, London, April 2009.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) represents 6.5 million members in 59 UK unions. TUC and affiliates have policies on energy and climate change and have supported Government and campaigned independently for effective policies to tackle climate change. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is an observer body to the UNFCCC.
In the run up to Copenhagen, Government and Unions will continue to engage both through formal fora (COPs and intercessionals), through consultations (eg Government’s low carbon industrial strategy) and others.
