green – Union Newswire

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.

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).

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.

Top 5 ways to help planet Earth this week

This year, UNISON’s Green week runs from 15-22 September to coincide with two major global mobilisations Fridays for the Future – a youth led protest about the threat posed by climate change (15 September) – and Fight Fossil Fuels which demands ‘a rapid, just and equitable’ end to fossil fuels (15-17 September).

Here are five ways you can still get involved…

1. Read this

If you don’t know where to start with Green Week, read this feature where two UNISON green activists explain why the week is so important and why UNISON takes the issue so seriously.

The Earth will continue … But we won’t

2. Sign this

Four smoking chimneys

If that article inspired you to take action, your first port of call is to sign UNISON’s petition to tax oil and gas giants.

The fuelers of climate change are regularly in the news this year for making record profits and paying out billions to their shareholders. With people struggling to pay their energy bills, UNISON believes it’s time they paid more of a fair share.

Sign the petition

3. Go to one (or both) of these

Once you’ve done that, here are two webinars you can sign up to:

How to have conversations about climate change that matter – Larger Us

UNISON has teamed up with Larger Us – which works to build broader coalitions for change – to deliver free online training to anyone who wants to up their game when it comes to climate conversations.

This webinar explains the project in detail and explores what the training will look like and what this pilot project will involve.

Sustainable healthcare – why greening the NHS matters for us all

Haley Pinto from the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare gives a clear and comprehensive round up of the impact of the climate crisis on our health and on the NHS, including some of the initiatives that are already happening and many that need to happen urgently.

4. Support like this

During the week its vital that we spread the message as far as possible. You can do this by talking to your friends, family and colleagues or by posting to social media – below are two easy ways to get the message out.

Click here to ‘tweet’ your support:

Send a Tweet

Or to share information with your friends and groups on whatsapp click here:

Send a WhatsApp

5. Be one of these

If all of the above seems right up your street, you should consider becoming a UNISON environment, or green, rep. Or, if it’s not for you, talk to some of your colleagues who might be interested and get them involved.

The role is very flexible from being a contact point to running campaigns greening your workplace, with lots of training and resources to get you started.

To find out more about what the role entails and how to get involved the best places to start and are this leaflet and poster.

The article Top 5 ways to help planet Earth this week first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Top 5 ways to help planet Earth this week

Here are five ways you can still get involved…

1. Read this

If you don’t know where to start with Green Week, read this feature where two UNISON green activists explain why the week is so important and why UNISON takes the issue so seriously.

The Earth will continue … But we won’t

2. Sign this

Four smoking chimneys

If that article inspired you to take action, your first port of call is to sign UNISON’s petition to tax oil and gas giants.

Sign the petition

3. Go to one (or both) of these

Once you’ve done that, here are two webinars you can sign up to:

How to have conversations about climate change that matter – Larger Us

This webinar explains the project in detail and explores what the training will look like and what this pilot project will involve.

Sustainable healthcare – why greening the NHS matters for us all

4. Support like this

Click here to ‘tweet’ your support:

Send a Tweet

Or to share information with your friends and groups on whatsapp click here:

Send a WhatsApp

5. Be one of these

The role is very flexible from being a contact point to running campaigns greening your workplace, with lots of training and resources to get you started.

To find out more about what the role entails and how to get involved the best places to start and are this leaflet and poster.

The article Top 5 ways to help planet Earth this week 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.”

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.

“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.”

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

UNISON announces Green Week dates in run up to Earth Day

In the run up to Earth Day on Saturday 22 April, UNISON has announced the dates of the union’s popular Green Week, which will run from 15 – 22 September this year.

The union will once again be supporting and encouraging branches to mark Green UNISON Week, using it to celebrate, discuss and share how the union is working to green public services.

From Friday 15 to Friday 22 September inclusive, branches UK will be asked to consider organising a week of activities to call for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Speaking of the event, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: “The climate crisis could not be more pressing and is being felt across the globe.

“Green UNISON Week is our chance to focus on and highlight these issues – it is just one part of giving vital space to demand politicians take seriously the damage being done to our planet and to act to save its future.

“Public services are key to the governments pledges in this area so engaging with members and employers is vital and UNISON must play it’s part in supporting our members in negotiating and challenging on this issue.

“We’re encouraging branches to run a week of activities for members and most importantly to engage with employers on how they can reduce their own carbon footprints and ensure their employers have a plan to green their workplaces completely. It’s never been more important.”

Earth Day

This Saturday, 22 April, marks Earth Day – the notional anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

This year, the theme is “Invest In Our Planet” which highlights “the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues. Investing in our planet is necessary to protect it and the best way to pave a path towards a prosperous future.”

Linking with Earth Day, Extinction Rebellion is organising a large family-friendly march in central London on 22 April as part of its own four-day action, ‘The Big One’ – find out more here.

NOTE: UNISON encourages solidarity with all peaceful climate events, but for legal reasons, reminds members to avoid involvement in any potentially unlawful direct action in the name of UNISON or while using UNISON branding.

The article UNISON announces Green Week dates in run up to Earth Day 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.

Get ready for Green UNISON Week

This September, the union is once again supporting and encouraging branches to mark Green UNISON Week, using it to celebrate, discuss and share how the union is working to green public services.

From 23 of September to 1 October, branches across the UK will be asked to consider organising a week of activities to call for urgent action to tackle climate change.

Green UNISON Week also gives members the chance to show support for the school climate strike on Friday 23 September.

Christina McAnea said: “The climate crisis could not be more real and is being felt across the globe. Green UNISON Week is our chance to focus in and highlight these issues – it also gives young people a global space to demand politicians take seriously the damage being done to our planet and act to save its future.

“Engaging with members and employers is vital if we are to ready ourselves and engage on this issue,” continued the general secretary.

Anti-trade union laws mean that UNISON branches cannot take strike action, but there are many ways to show support for the school campaigners and take part in Green UNISON Week.

We’ll be updating you on new events and activities that you can take part in nearer the event and there are some activity ideas and resources attached below for you to start mapping out the activities you want to run.

Key actions

Does your UNISON branch have an environment rep? If not, encourage your branch and any interested members to get involved and become green reps. You can find others who share your concerns about climate change and Green UNISON Week can be your springboard into starting a new green UNISON network where you work.

Find out what your employer is doing to reduce the organisation’s environmental impact. Ask your employer to share this information with UNISON.

Hold a UNISON green event. You could run a lunchtime stall in the canteen, a film show or a talk. Why not invite a speaker from a local environmental campaign group or a school student climate striker to support young people on the 23 September.

Run a green workplace training activity. Talk to your UNISON learning rep/s and look into running a lunchtime activity session for green reps and members who’d like to learn more.

Resources/events – with more to come nearer the time

Sign up to our network to receive green updates here, including guidance on green bargaining and being a green workplace rep.

Find out more about the Fridays for Future youth climate strike on 23 September here.

Find out how your branch can take part in the UK Big Green Week and in Scotland, at Stop Climate Chaos.

Be part of Green UNISON

Use hashtags #GreenUnison in Twitter and Facebook events, photographs and solidarity messages from your branch or as an individual.

Use UNISON’s Greening of Public services logo in your green work.

The article Get ready for Green UNISON Week first appeared on the UNISON National site.

‘This union is a green union’: UNISON commits to decarbonise public services

UNISON commits to introduce green reps on all branch committees in order to support bargaining and negotiation on decarbonisation The article ‘This union is a green union’: UNISON commits to...