Trade Unions Join World Demands for an Ambitious Climate Agreement
Launch of the trade union statement to the COP14 in Poznan, Poland
Brussels, 27 November 2008 (ITUC OnLine): On the eve of major international climate negotiations in Poznan, Poland, the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), in a new groundbreaking policy statement, has clearly affirmed its
commitment towards reaching a socially-fair and climate-engaged agreement by the end of 2009. ITUC General Secretary Guy
Ryder explained the movement's main reasons for its strong position: "Accelerating climate change, financial disorder
and food & oil price instability share the same origins: a lack of commitment to regulation, a push towards 'small government' and
free market economics, and an international system that has underperformed in terms of its governance of globalisation.
All these crises always end up affecting the most vulnerable among us, those who did little to cause these problems."
Ryder continued, "The trade union movement calls on governments to take immediate action on climate change. It is a
moral responsibility to do so. We must collectively initiate an indispensable transition towards a more equitable and
just society, a society in which the most vulnerable no longer pay the price of irresponsibility. We now have, through
sustainable production and consumption patterns, a unique and historic opportunity to transform our societies for the
better. For these reasons, trade unions support ambitious action in developed countries, in line with IPCC
recommendations and entailing far-reaching investments in green jobs and other just transition policies. We call on
industrialised countries to lead the way and provide the necessary financial and technological support so that
developing nations can engage fully on the path towards a more environmentally sustainable and socially just society."
"The very same activities that have been proposed to address the global financial crisis, such as fiscal stimulus
packages and investment encouraged into strategic areas, could reap a double benefit if they are oriented toward
investment in new technologies, in green jobs, and in helping the world cope with the changes that are already
inevitable due to climate change," said UNFCCC Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer, the UN's top climate change official.
"However, this must happen in context of international cooperation and not in a piecemeal way. Therefore, we must use
the time available in Poznan wisely to make significant progress on the way to designing an ambitious new international
climate change deal," he added.An agreed outcome on strengthened international action on climate change is to be reached
in Copenhagen at the end of 2009.
"A commitment towards equity and social dialogue, and an analysis of the impacts on labour markets and social protection
schemes, all form essential elements that must be integrated when elaborating and implementing climate policies. Our
ability to reach an ambitious and socially just climate framework for the post 2012 period depends on this. Millions of
workers throughout the world, united within the international trade union movement, are ready to engage in this historic
transformation process," concluded Ryder.
ENDS