Science demonstrates irrefutably that man-made climate change is a major and growing threat to humanity and the environment. The ETUC calls on world governments to act urgently to limit carbon emissions and hold global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels – widely considered to be the threshold to avoid catastrophic impacts. Reaching a global zero emission before the end of this century must be the shared ambition of humankind.

Europe needs an energy transition towards a low-carbon economy based mainly on renewable energies and greater energy efficiency.  This would create new jobs while also improving air quality and reducing the number of related diseases.

The ETUC calls for an EU just transition strategy based on a just transition fund, as well as a governance framework that involves trade unions and encourages Member States to anticipate changes facing the workforce due to decarbonisation.