Category: green unison

Blog: Taking demands to world leaders at COP28

The UN’s climate change conference, COP28, is under way in Dubai and we’ve sent UNISON’s own observer, NEC member Tony Wright, to the conference. You can read more about his role here.

Back home in the UK, we’re also preparing to take part in the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) Global Day of Action. Events are planned in Aberystwyth, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

We no longer have to look very far to see the damage being caused every day by climate change – it’s here in the UK. And while the Westminster government is busy giving ever more tax breaks to the biggest polluting companies, and allowing them to make record-breaking profits from soaring energy bills, the global COP process is all about getting governments to stop burying their heads in the sand and to take action.

Without all governments stepping up to this existential emergency, there is no doubt, we will run out of time to protect our planet. This is a fundamental trade union issue, because the jobs, health and finances of UNISON members are all affected by climate change.

World leaders are now in Dubai to make key decisions on how countries will commit to tackling the climate emergency. But at its core, there must be a just transition. It has to promote and protect human rights and fundamental labour rights. Also, it must guarantee intergenerational and gender equity, racial justice and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, impacted communities and migrants.

As UNISON is part of the ITUC observer delegation, we have clear, joint demands of world leaders:

  • Only a just transition to a low-carbon economy can secure the future and livelihoods of workers and their communities
  • Just transition plans should be co-created with workers and their trade unions to guarantee decent work, social protection, training opportunities and job security for all workers affected by global warming and climate change policies
  • Plans must be underpinned by the fundamental Labour rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining and facilitated through social dialogue between workers and their unions, employers and governments, as established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Trade unionists across the world are mobilising around these core principles. And while we know the COP processes won’t hold all the solutions, we must do all we can to tackle the climate catastrophe head on. We can all do our bit, too, which is why we’re encouraging all members to find an event to take part in on the Global Day of Action on 9 December.

Follow our Green UNISON campaign online and look out for our special reports back during COP over the next few weeks.

The article Blog: Taking demands to world leaders at COP28 first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Blog: Taking demands to world leaders at COP28

The UN’s climate change conference, COP28, is under way in Dubai and we’ve sent UNISON’s own observer, NEC member Tony Wright, to the conference. You can read more about his role here.

Back home in the UK, we’re also preparing to take part in the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) Global Day of Action. Events are planned in Aberystwyth, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Durham, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Portsmouth and Sheffield.

We no longer have to look very far to see the damage being caused every day by climate change – it’s here in the UK. And while the Westminster government is busy giving ever more tax breaks to the biggest polluting companies, and allowing them to make record-breaking profits from soaring energy bills, the global COP process is all about getting governments to stop burying their heads in the sand and to take action.

Without all governments stepping up to this existential emergency, there is no doubt, we will run out of time to protect our planet. This is a fundamental trade union issue, because the jobs, health and finances of UNISON members are all affected by climate change.

World leaders are now in Dubai to make key decisions on how countries will commit to tackling the climate emergency. But at its core, there must be a just transition. It has to promote and protect human rights and fundamental labour rights. Also, it must guarantee intergenerational and gender equity, racial justice and respect for the rights of indigenous peoples, impacted communities and migrants.

As UNISON is part of the ITUC observer delegation, we have clear, joint demands of world leaders:

  • Only a just transition to a low-carbon economy can secure the future and livelihoods of workers and their communities
  • Just transition plans should be co-created with workers and their trade unions to guarantee decent work, social protection, training opportunities and job security for all workers affected by global warming and climate change policies
  • Plans must be underpinned by the fundamental Labour rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining and facilitated through social dialogue between workers and their unions, employers and governments, as established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Trade unionists across the world are mobilising around these core principles. And while we know the COP processes won’t hold all the solutions, we must do all we can to tackle the climate catastrophe head on. We can all do our bit, too, which is why we’re encouraging all members to find an event to take part in on the Global Day of Action on 9 December.

Follow our Green UNISON campaign online and look out for our special reports back during COP over the next few weeks.

The article Blog: Taking demands to world leaders at COP28 first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON takes the call for a just transition to COP28

UNISON is taking the call for a just transition to this year’s UN climate change conference – better known as COP28, which opens on Thursday in Dubai, and continues until 12 December.

Tony Wright, NEC member and chair of the policy development and campaign committee, will be attending the first week of the conference. He will be acting as one of the two designated UK observers, as part of the International Trades Union Congress (ITUC) delegation.

As an official observer, his duties will include daily morning meetings to liaise with fellow trade union delegates from around the world and lobby the UK representatives – including MPs from all parties and government civil servants.

The role aims “to ensure the aims put forward by the ITUC and supported by UNISON are considered and adopted,” explains Mr Wright.

“I will also be providing regular updates to the TUC and UNISON back home so they can advise of any further action needed and lobby for change via domestic routes.”

Portrait of Tony Wright, NEC member and chair of the UNISON policy development and campaign committee

Tony Wright

For several years, UNISON has been building a focus on green issues and the climate. This has been done via the development of the green reps role, regular communications with the wider membership and focused activities across all four nations.

“In UNISON, we have a job to do – building on the work we have already done around greening public services. And, to do the best job we can, we need to be fully aware of the discussions which will shape future global policy,” says Mr Wright.

“I’m fully aware of what an honour it is to be attending COP28 on behalf of my union, UNISON, as part of the ITUC delegation. The ITUC represents over 200 million workers in 167 countries, so to be part of its delegation is a fantastic opportunity to learn and, hopefully, influence.

“The issues we will be discussing at COP28 are critical and if the people with the power to act don’t start doing something soon, it really will be too late to avoid major catastrophes. We could face even worse extreme weather than we have already experienced as well as mass migration,” he adds.

“As the largest union in the UK, it is vital that UNISON has a voice and a set of ears at the COP28 table.

“UNISON fights to protect our members terms and conditions but, while it doesn’t bear thinking about, there is no getting away from the fact that there are no jobs on a dead planet. That means we also need to fight for the future of everyone.”

At COP28, the trade unions will be demanding a labour-inclusive, just transition work programme. The priorities include guarantees on human and labour rights, inclusive participation, and providing the urgently needed climate finance to invest in a just transition.

Wider themes for the first week of COP28 include: health, recovery and peace, finance, trade, gender equality, urbanisation, transport, youth, children, education, nature, land use, oceans, food agriculture, and water.

Find out more about Green UNISON

The article UNISON takes the call for a just transition to COP28 first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON takes the call for a just transition to COP28

UNISON is taking the call for a just transition to this year’s UN climate change conference – better known as COP28, which opens on Thursday in Dubai, and continues until 12 December.

Tony Wright, NEC member and chair of the policy development and campaign committee, will be attending the first week of the conference. He will be acting as one of the two designated UK observers, as part of the International Trades Union Congress (ITUC) delegation.

As an official observer, his duties will include daily morning meetings to liaise with fellow trade union delegates from around the world and lobby the UK representatives – including MPs from all parties and government civil servants.

The role aims “to ensure the aims put forward by the ITUC and supported by UNISON are considered and adopted,” explains Mr Wright.

“I will also be providing regular updates to the TUC and UNISON back home so they can advise of any further action needed and lobby for change via domestic routes.”

Portrait of Tony Wright, NEC member and chair of the UNISON policy development and campaign committee

Tony Wright

For several years, UNISON has been building a focus on green issues and the climate. This has been done via the development of the green reps role, regular communications with the wider membership and focused activities across all four nations.

“In UNISON, we have a job to do – building on the work we have already done around greening public services. And, to do the best job we can, we need to be fully aware of the discussions which will shape future global policy,” says Mr Wright.

“I’m fully aware of what an honour it is to be attending COP28 on behalf of my union, UNISON, as part of the ITUC delegation. The ITUC represents over 200 million workers in 167 countries, so to be part of its delegation is a fantastic opportunity to learn and, hopefully, influence.

“The issues we will be discussing at COP28 are critical and if the people with the power to act don’t start doing something soon, it really will be too late to avoid major catastrophes. We could face even worse extreme weather than we have already experienced as well as mass migration,” he adds.

“As the largest union in the UK, it is vital that UNISON has a voice and a set of ears at the COP28 table.

“UNISON fights to protect our members terms and conditions but, while it doesn’t bear thinking about, there is no getting away from the fact that there are no jobs on a dead planet. That means we also need to fight for the future of everyone.”

At COP28, the trade unions will be demanding a labour-inclusive, just transition work programme. The priorities include guarantees on human and labour rights, inclusive participation, and providing the urgently needed climate finance to invest in a just transition.

Wider themes for the first week of COP28 include: health, recovery and peace, finance, trade, gender equality, urbanisation, transport, youth, children, education, nature, land use, oceans, food agriculture, and water.

Find out more about Green UNISON

The article UNISON takes the call for a just transition to COP28 first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON condemns ‘disgraceful’ approval for North Sea oil field

                                                                                                                       © Bill Kasman

UNISON today joined environmental campaigners and others in condemning the “disgraceful” go-ahead for a new oil and gas field off the coast of Shetland.

The UK’s oil and gas regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority, has granted permission to Oslo-listed Equinor and the British firm Ithaca Energy to develop the Rosebank field.

The Guardian reported that green campaigners, including Greta Thunberg, had called on the UK government to halt the development, arguing that it contravened Britain’s plan for a net zero economy.

Posting online, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas called the move “the greatest act of environmental vandalism in my lifetime”.

UNISON is standing with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland in calling for a managed phase down of oil and gas production in the North Sea, as part of a just transition for workers and communities.

And UNISON policy offer Michelle Singleton said today: “We condemn today’s disgraceful go-ahead for Rosebank.

“Despite committing to a policy of reducing oil and gas, these licences to drill for more have now been granted ­– it should be obvious you can’t reduce something by having more of it.”

Ms Singleton added that the new field would not increase the UK’s energy security, since the oil taken would likely be sold on the global market.

“Unless the government was to nationalise the fields, it will have no control over where the output goes, so it won’t necessarily come to us. And for the same reason, it will not make our energy bills cheaper.

“Plus, renewable energy is much, much, cheaper, so if the government were serious about the household price of energy it would invest more to scale up renewable options.”

The UK ought to be showing leadership on the climate issue, she added.

“Even the Tory chair of the climate change committee, Lord Deben, noted that ‘We can’t ask other people to restrain their production if we don’t do it ourselves’. Somebody must show international leadership in tackling climate change. It looks like it won’t be the UK.”

Green UNISON

The article UNISON condemns ‘disgraceful’ approval for North Sea oil field first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON condemns ‘disgraceful’ approval for North Sea oil field

                                                                                                                       © Bill Kasman

UNISON today joined environmental campaigners and others in condemning the “disgraceful” go-ahead for a new oil and gas field off the coast of Shetland.

The UK’s oil and gas regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority, has granted permission to Oslo-listed Equinor and the British firm Ithaca Energy to develop the Rosebank field.

The Guardian reported that green campaigners, including Greta Thunberg, had called on the UK government to halt the development, arguing that it contravened Britain’s plan for a net zero economy.

Posting online, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas called the move “the greatest act of environmental vandalism in my lifetime”.

UNISON is standing with Stop Climate Chaos Scotland in calling for a managed phase down of oil and gas production in the North Sea, as part of a just transition for workers and communities.

And UNISON policy offer Michelle Singleton said today: “We condemn today’s disgraceful go-ahead for Rosebank.

“Despite committing to a policy of reducing oil and gas, these licences to drill for more have now been granted ­– it should be obvious you can’t reduce something by having more of it.”

Ms Singleton added that the new field would not increase the UK’s energy security, since the oil taken would likely be sold on the global market.

“Unless the government was to nationalise the fields, it will have no control over where the output goes, so it won’t necessarily come to us. And for the same reason, it will not make our energy bills cheaper.

“Plus, renewable energy is much, much, cheaper, so if the government were serious about the household price of energy it would invest more to scale up renewable options.”

The UK ought to be showing leadership on the climate issue, she added.

“Even the Tory chair of the climate change committee, Lord Deben, noted that ‘We can’t ask other people to restrain their production if we don’t do it ourselves’. Somebody must show international leadership in tackling climate change. It looks like it won’t be the UK.”

Green UNISON

The article UNISON condemns ‘disgraceful’ approval for North Sea oil field first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON’s response to Labour’s new Green Prosperity Plan

The Labour party announced their new Green Prosperity Plan in a speech by leader of the party, Sir Keir Starmer, in Edinburgh on Monday.

Outlining the key elements of the party’s plan, the Labour leader called it “the race of a lifetime,” and added “the prize is real.”

The plan aims to make the UK a global green leader through a just transition to net zero. Sir Keir added: “We’re going to throw everything at this: planning reform, procurement, long-term finance, R&D, a strategic plan for skills and supply chains. A new plan for a new settlement …  all pulling together for a simple, unifying priority: British power for British jobs.”

Earlier this year, UNISON launched a report detailing the views of its members which demonstrated the increased interest and momentum in the union to take more action to pursue a just transition to net zero. It identifies the key role which public services have in decarbonising the UK.

Read the report

Speaking of Labour’s announcement, UNISON general secretary, Christina McAnea said: “The UK can’t afford to sit back and watch the climate crisis unfold.

“UNISON has long campaigned for a proper plan that gets on with decarbonisation, fast tracks investment into renewable energies, creates new jobs and saves our planet.

“Unlike the Conservative government in Westminster that sleepwalks from one crisis to another, it’s encouraging to see Labour making the vital issue of climate change a priority.

“The immense change needed to get us to net zero in time, will impact all workers and communities. UNISON wants Labour’s Green energy plans to be part of a wider strategy to ensure a just transition for all.

“So we plan to work with Labour to make sure public sector workers – particularly those in the energy sector, many of whom are our members – are not left behind.

“A challenge on this scale needs up-front government investment, and future generations are relying on the next Labour government to get this right.”

You can find out more about what UNISON is doing on Climate Change, including our report on a fully funded plan for getting to Net-Zero in public services by 2050 and join UNISON’s green network here

The article UNISON’s response to Labour’s new Green Prosperity Plan first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON’s response to Labour’s new Green Prosperity Plan

The Labour party announced their new Green Prosperity Plan in a speech by leader of the party, Sir Keir Starmer, in Edinburgh on Monday.

Outlining the key elements of the party’s plan, the Labour leader called it “the race of a lifetime,” and added “the prize is real.”

The plan aims to make the UK a global green leader through a just transition to net zero. Sir Keir added: “We’re going to throw everything at this: planning reform, procurement, long-term finance, R&D, a strategic plan for skills and supply chains. A new plan for a new settlement …  all pulling together for a simple, unifying priority: British power for British jobs.”

Earlier this year, UNISON launched a report detailing the views of its members which demonstrated the increased interest and momentum in the union to take more action to pursue a just transition to net zero. It identifies the key role which public services have in decarbonising the UK.

Read the report

Speaking of Labour’s announcement, UNISON general secretary, Christina McAnea said: “The UK can’t afford to sit back and watch the climate crisis unfold.

“UNISON has long campaigned for a proper plan that gets on with decarbonisation, fast tracks investment into renewable energies, creates new jobs and saves our planet.

“Unlike the Conservative government in Westminster that sleepwalks from one crisis to another, it’s encouraging to see Labour making the vital issue of climate change a priority.

“The immense change needed to get us to net zero in time, will impact all workers and communities. UNISON wants Labour’s Green energy plans to be part of a wider strategy to ensure a just transition for all.

“So we plan to work with Labour to make sure public sector workers – particularly those in the energy sector, many of whom are our members – are not left behind.

“A challenge on this scale needs up-front government investment, and future generations are relying on the next Labour government to get this right.”

You can find out more about what UNISON is doing on Climate Change, including our report on a fully funded plan for getting to Net-Zero in public services by 2050 and join UNISON’s green network here

The article UNISON’s response to Labour’s new Green Prosperity Plan first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Christina McAnea introduces new energy report at conference

Gridlock, a new report outlining the inadequacy of current government help to drive energy efficiency, was launched by UNISON today at the union’s annual energy conference, being held in Liverpool.

It claims short-term policies and a complex array of ever-changing support packages have left millions of households with insufficient help to meet soaring energy bills.

It also concludes that unless substantial progress is made on making sure sustainable homes and vehicles are within reach of those on lower and middle incomes, the UK won’t meet its 2050 net-zero target.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea, said at the conference: “Energy is a hot topic of political debate right now. Record energy price increases have hammered family finances. While many energy companies’ profits have boomed.

“We’re also the fifth richest nation in the world, but we’ve got the most energy inefficient housing stock in Western Europe.  If our advice on energy policy had been heeded, we wouldn’t be in this crisis, and we wouldn’t be watching many more coming our way.

“We’ve long called for a national programme of energy efficiency measures, delivered door to door, free to those who cannot afford to pay, and interest free finance for those able to pay.”

Speaking of the launch of Gridlock, she said: “So, we’re warning, once again – about the elitist energy economy this government is creating.

“Greener homes are beyond the reach of many, because of inadequate government help. To turn this around, public investment is an absolute priority.

“75% of our members who responded to the survey said they could not afford to take up any of the government’s incentives, and so the money available goes to those who don’t need it, exacerbating the inequalities we already see, and creating an ever more elitist energy system.

“UNISON energy members must be part of building that fairer system, fit for the future, with good quality, unionised jobs, and everyone working together towards achieving net zero.

“Imagine, looking back in years to come and saying, ‘I helped make that happen. I made a difference… We made a difference.’”

The article Christina McAnea introduces new energy report at conference first appeared on the UNISON National site.

‘This challenge unites us as a union’, says new green report

“There has never been a better time to recognise the need, and appetite, for increased engagement on climate change and the green economy,” says a new report commissioned by UNISON.

Compiled by Professor Vera Trappmann and Dr. Jo Cutter at Leeds University’s Centre for Employment Relations Innovation and Change (CERIC), the report details the results of a survey of almost 400 UNISON members, compared against a nationally representative sample of 2,000 workers.

The detail and significance of the report will be covered at a lunchtime webinar on 23 March: Register to attend at the link below.

Tackling the Climate Crisis: UNISON members’ views, expectations, and opportunities for action

In the report, a number of key themes were explored, including:

  • how the threat of climate change is perceived by members;
  • who should take responsibility in climate leadership;
  • the hopes and fears, training necessities, and opinions regarding a just transition to a green economy.

The threat of climate change

UNISON members are much more worried about climate change than the average UK worker, the report claims, with 95% of members saying they are very or fairly concerned about climate change compared to only just over three quarters of the wider sample.

Just over 85% of members think we are seeing the effect of climate change in the UK already, and six out of 10 believe the issue should be addressed with extreme urgency – twice the level of the wider sample.

Not only are UNISON members concerned about the threat of climate change, almost two thirds (63%) reported very, or quite, strong feelings of ‘outrage’ compared to the UK average of 40%.

The union’s members also feel higher levels of fear (52% against 37%) and anxiety (54% against 39%) when compared to the wider sample.

The report goes on to argue that people’s emotions about climate change influence the likelihood that they will take individual or collective action. As a result, UNISON members are more likely to: try to reduce their carbon footprint at home; be involved in action to reduce emissions or protect the environment; and be involved in environmental activities or campaigns in their community than those in the wider sample.

From these statistics, the report draws the conclusion that there is a “clear opportunity for UNISON to engage more with members and employers around climate change.”

Climate leadership

The report also addresses the question of who holds the most responsibility to address climate change. UNISON members appear to believe that, in order, it is the government, then businesses, then individuals, then community groups and organisations. 

However, there was a general rejection of a ‘laissez faire’ approach to unregulated, business-led transition, with UNISON members placing a high importance on worker and community engagement.

This ties in with the results of the survey which suggest that members have a very clear idea of the ways in which their workplaces could decarbonise. However, only a third (35.3%) of members are extremely or somewhat satisfied with their involvement in decisions at work, compared to a UK worker average of just under half (46.7%).

Read: A greener planet – the UNISON green reps making a difference in their councils

The combination of having clear ideas of how to decarbonise combined with a lack of involvement in decisions leads the report to suggest that UNISON members believe the union could play a huge role to push through necessary change in addressing the issue of climate change.

This led the report to suggest that the existing body of knowledge held by workers across the public sector – about how systems, jobs and skills will need to change – should be drawn upon, and that there is a clear opportunity for the union to fill the gap between workers and management, to claim more involvement from employers.

Just transition

The report also discusses the opinions of members about how to support workers and communities to ensure that any green transition is ‘fair’.

On the wider political stage, members support a range of climate policies, including carbon taxes and investment in green technologies, and they are also likely to support new forms of public ownership to help drive net-zero.

One of the key findings in this area is that many UNISON members anticipate they will need to learn new green skills in their current role, so that they are able to work effectively in a more sustainable way – with climate education and specific training being seen as critical in helping workers address climate goals.

It was also found that many members would consider switching to green jobs and would be willing to learn new skills, but that access to applicable climate change training, which is currently very low, and the perceived ‘quality’ of green jobs are barriers which need to be addressed.

Conclusions

In summarising the report, Sampson Low, head of UNISON’s policy unit, said: “Climate denial is no longer the issue – the issue is the urgent need for climate action. This challenge unites us as a union and gives us an emotional drive to engage with the green agenda as a workplace and public service union.”

Read the full report

Or for more detailed analysis, join the lunchtime webinar on 23 March, 12:30 – 1:30. Register here.

The article ‘This challenge unites us as a union’, says new green report first appeared on the UNISON National site.