The European Trade Union Confederation today called for
- a 2030 energy-climate package including targets of 40% greenhouse gas emission reductions, 30% renewables, 40% energy efficiency – with national targets
- the EU Commission to come forward with specific proposals to address the social impact of its de-carbonisation strategy for regions and sectors where the benefits of a low-carbon economy are more difficult to secure
- the low-carbon transition in Europe to become a genuine industrial project with greater mobilisation of the EU budget and financial instruments to support low-carbon innovation via research and development, and demonstration projects
At a meeting of the ETUC Executive Committee national trade union leaders agreed
- it is a matter of urgency for political decisions to meet the challenges posed by global warming
- The problems of mass unemployment and growing inequalities in Europe will not be solved by sacrificing environmental ambitions
- there is no employment and social justice on a devastated planet, neither can there be any policy of environmental transition without a strong social dimension
Trade unions leaders also took part in a photo action ‘no jobs on a dead planet’ in a spectacular 3D image of ice and drought. Photos can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/etuc-ces/sets/72157648370930738/ - and details on who took part at /no-jobs-dead-planet-0
“Climate change poses an existential challenge to humanity” said Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary. “At the same time there are enormous job opportunities arising from investment in energy infrastructure, renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
“As trade unionists we want ambitious climate and energy targets with a just transition for workers and their communities to a low-carbon economy. The positive and negative job impacts have to be managed fairly, and workers must not be left behind by technological change.”
“The new President of the European Commission says he wants Europe to be the world’s number one in renewable energy – but he won’t achieve that with a 27% target that is not even binding on the member states.”
