Community is very active in conservation and recycling projects
Text of a speech given by Community General Secretary Michael J. Leahy OBE to the TUC Congress 2008.
Congress, the economy may be cooling down but the planet is still warming up. Despite these difficult times that we all face economically we must not neglect our environmental responsibilities.
We have all heard of the Kyoto Protocol but that agreement is rapidly running out – it expires in 2012. We all know the trials and tribulations that the world went through to get an agreement – and the irresponsible attitude of George W Bush.
The international community must not fail in the next round of negotiations, which will almost certainly be the last chance to prevent climate change reaching disastrous levels. Unions must keep up the pressure to ensure we have an agreement in 2009.
But that agreement must be for a Just Transition to a low carbon future. And for that to be the case it requires clear, trade union engagement in the negotiations.
The shift to a greener economy is a great opportunity for technological innovation, which will drive economic growth and create and secure new green jobs and industries.
But we cannot neglect our existing industries. We must support those energy-intensive sectors that are searching for solutions to reduce their carbon footprints.
A Just Transition must not abandon union members in steel.
A Just Transition must not repeat the mistakes of Thatcher’s damaging de-industrialisation.
A Just Transition must provide a sustainable future for all – blue collar, white collar or green collar.
Congress, we all know where we want to get to – a green and fair economy.
But we cannot get there by a giant leap. We must take small steps and think carefully about the path that we choose.
This is why we must be fully engaged in the policy-making process.
One small step would empower our Environmental Reps and give them the appropriate status and facility time to green their workplaces.
Another small step would introduce a sectoral approach to carbon emissions, with appropriate benchmarks introduced to ensure that all industries make what contribution they can to saving the planet.
And a third small step would see the UK government lead the call for an EU import adjustment system. For in a global economy what use is a European Emissions Trading Scheme, if it simply leads to ‘carbon leakage’?
If emissions trading is not set up effectively, we run the risk of losing more of our manufacturing base. But it’s not only jobs that will be lost, it will also be the chance to reduce carbon emissions.
We must not give multi-nationals the opportunity to become carbon tourists – seeking out countries where carbon emissions are poorly regulated. That would not provide for a Just Transition.
Congress, this Composite seeks to address weaknesses in the policies that are shaping the transition.
If the union movement influences this agenda then we will have a just transition.
Stakes are high – time is short.