Climate Change and International Labour Movement's Response

1. Climate Change and International Labour Movement's Response Global Solidarity Champions’ Training Course, Dublin, Ireland 10 November 2009

2. Climate change negotiations What will happen after 2012? The Bali Action Plan decided to initiate negotiations on the next commitment period (2012-2020?) United Nations Convention on Climate Change, 1992 Kyoto Protocol, 1997 5.2% reduction of GHGs 2008-2012 • Shared vision (which GHG reduction target for 2020?) • Emission reductions: Which commitments for developed countries – A I? Which actions in developing countries? • Which actions and what funding for adaptation? • Finance: what mechanisms, what governance, role of public and private sector? • Technology transfer Key negotiations: Poznan & Bonn 1 (April): first compilation of proposals Bonn 2 (June): Chairman’s Negotiating Text + Inputs by governments Bonn 3 (August): “shrinking exercise” Bangkok (October): presentation of Parties’ negotiating text Barcelona (November): last discussions before Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark (7-18 Dec 2009): New Agreement?

3. Climate change negotiations – what’s at stake? • Shared vision (Global GHG reduction target for 2050?: Huge reluctances from developing countries – it shifts the burden of emission reduction) • Common but differentiated responsibilities & Respective capabilities/ Right to development? Sustainable development?/ Ecological debt? Equity? • Formal debates seem far from agreement (Japan, US, Australia far from targets needed; Russia not willing to join any target; EU ambitious, but not enough; Emerging economies reluctant to announce objectives without financial commitments from Developed Countries) • Differences between discourse and reality: emerging economies are already adopting measures which could lead to commitments under the UNFCCC, countries are ready to accept a lower-than-necessary commitment from the US in a first period, “silent” countries can be more dangerous for the agreement – Russia, OPEC) • A just transition framework?

4. Climate change negotiations – what’s at stake? • Mitigation (emission reductions): what targets for developed countries? Mid-term targets (2020)? “comparability of efforts” • Which actions for developing countries? All equal? Deforestation? • Adaptation: Role of the State? Role of the private sector? Who pays? Which actions? Climate debt? Funding for adaptation? • Finance: how to generate funding? what mechanisms, what governance? Role of IFIs? Carbon market or carbon tax? • Technology transfer: IPRs, appropriate technology, who develops what and where? • Other issues: competitiveness, trade-related aspects (not addressed in the UNFCCC)

5. Trade unions at the UNFCCC • A common and ambitious position on the need for tackling climate change, with developed countries taking the lead, integrated in key union statements (I.e. G20)CRUCIAL for our LEGITIMACY IN THE PROCESS • Social issues and employment start to be better understood in the Convention, but far from being integrated. • Concrete proposals in the negotiation: • Just Transition Framework • Green Jobs/ “Opportunities” agenda • Re-skilling/ training • Social Protection – including the role of public services • Social Dialogue & role of trade unions

6. Trade Unions & Climate Change: building a common position • A global position has its challenges: national specificities, different positions, different timing in awareness about the problem. • 2008-09 have been the years of the confirmation on what regards ITUC commitment to climate change (Task Force, GC, GS attendance to COP). • Trade unions have been officially recognised as constituencies to the UNFCCC process. However, we still have to raise awareness among governments & other relevant actors on the linkages between climate change and union responsibilities & work. • In these negotiations, we are key for raising the visibility for issues such as solidarity & social justice as essential principles to solve in a sustainable manner the causes of climate change.

7. A union agenda on climate change Union’s priorities in the climate change agenda are organised around four issues: The importance of a solid and ambitious trade union position on climate change and the need for action The need to understand, foster opportunities and avoid negative impacts in the world of work, policies regrouped under the concept of ‘Just Transition’ The importance of reinforcing & formalising dialogue with civil society, in particular with workers & their unions. Enhance the potential of workplace action in reducing emissions.

8. An ambitious basis for our work A common and ambitious position on the need for tackling climate change, with developed countries taking the lead, integrated in key union statements (i.e. G20)CRUCIAL for our LEGITIMACY IN THE PROCESS Objective of the agreement: no more than 2°C / Emission reductions / Criteria for the burden share of emissions. Employment and just transition Finance (200 billion EUR over the 2013-2017 period) Adaptation & resilience

9. A just transition= a fair pathway to protect the climate Ambitious action is fundamental for the future & for social and development goals to be achieved. These actions must be fairly shared and distributed between and within countries. A just transition towards a low carbon economy is possible, and can make climate action a driver for sustainable economic growth and social progress. We need to transform the economy; we therefore ask for a process aimed at transforming every economic sector into a sustainable one.

10. Just Transition – A union proposal • Make green opportunities real • Research • Dialogue • Training • Social protection • Regional/local planning

11. The road to Copenhagen (and beyond)

12. Barcelona, Spain (2-6 November) • Last UNFCCC preparatory meeting before Copenhagen. Key moment for ensuring Just Transition and other union proposals get visibility. 20 trade unions have already confirmed their participation. • 3rd November: ITUC, along with CCOO, UGT and ETUC will organise a high level event on “Just Transition”, where we will call on other governments and social groups to endorse the concept. • 5th November: the ITUC working group on climate change will meet to discuss the trade union strategy for the remaining month before Copenhagen as well as for COP15.

13. Copenhagen: A meeting going far beyond negotiations • More than 20,000 people are expected to go to Copenhagen; at least half of them will be from civil society. • In addition to the negotiations in the “Bella Center”, several other fora will be organised: • A space organised by the City of Copenhagen • A space organised by the Business community, based on technological solutions • the ‘Klima’ Forum, organised by NGOs • A civil society rally, on the 12th December • In all these, trade unions can play a role.

14. Trade unions at COP15 • More than 180 trade unionists have already registered to attend the meeting • Our delegation is coordinated by the ITUC in close cooperation with LO-Denmark • Some funding has been secured already for participation from developing countries’ trade unions (LO-DK, Sustainlabour, Norwegian trade unions, TUC)

15. Trade unions at COP15 : WoW In addition to the negotiations, a major trade union activity has been planned: The World of Work pavilion (WoW) • What is it?: A space where trade unions will present their experiences, debate and plan with other actors on climate change. Visits to concrete “green & decent workplaces” will also be organised. • Who? ITUC and LO-Dk will coordinate this activity. Global Union Federations and ITUC regional and national organisations will be invited to submit concrete proposals for events • When? 14 to 16 December 2009 • Where? In LO Denmark Building

16. Trade unions at COP15 : WoW Which organisations will be there? • Regional/International organisations: • BWI, EMCEF, EMF, ETUC, ETUI, • ICEM, IMF, ILO, ITF, ITUC, • ITUC Africa, IUF, PSI, SAMAK, • Sustainlabour, TUCA • Some national organisations: • ACTU, AFL-CIO, Blue Green Alliance, CCOO, CGT France, CFMEU, CFDT, COSATU, CSC, FGTB, FKTU,FNV, GEFONT, KCTU, LO-Denmark, NTUC, RENGO, TUC-UK, UMWA

17. Trade unions at COP15 : Other activities • ITUC has launched a special website on climate change (http://climate.ituc-csi.org) which also counts with a private section, where affiliates can follow reports on the negotiations. • Official trade union side event in the UNFCCC (17 Dec). • Reception for the trade union delegation – hosted by LO-DK and ITUC (16 Dec). • Trade unions & Climate change – a video by Sustainlabour & ITUC to be presented in the reception. • Further work with civil society organisations in the run up and during Copenhagen. Civil Society « climate change walk » on the 12th December.

18. Don’t forget the workplaces Workplaces’ potential: Energy & resource efficiency Mobility New rights Key for adaptation

19. Questions for discussion • Why is it relevant to talk about employment in climate change negotiations? • Unions are pushing for green and decent jobs (that are environmentally sustainable and of good quality to help build a low carbon economy). What steps can your national center/ trade union take to ensure a substantial growth of and equitable access to green and decent jobs for women and men? • Where do you see the potential of Green Jobs? • How can workplaces be ‘greened’? • In what way can European unions assist trade unionists in developing countries in coping with climate-change related impacts on livelihoods and workplaces? • Do you think it is important, in order to attain our objectives, to forge relationships and build alliances with other organisations and NGOs that share, and are fighting for the same values?

20. Thank You! Helle Damgaard Nielsen, Policy Research Officer, ITUC helle.damgaardnielsen@ituc-csi.org http://climate.ituc-csi.org