Trade unions step up action on climate change

Reports from FIONA MONTGOMERY Information Devt Officer

Unions stepped up action on climate change as UNISON's Matt Smith, Dave Watson and other staff and activists attended the STUC's 'Climate Change and the Scottish Workplace' Conference in Glasgow.

Key speakers and panellists discussed what Scotland can do, with examples from politicians, trade unions and business about efforts to cut greenhouse emissions. Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, explained the aim was to kick start a quality debate on how climate change will impact on the working lives of the people of Scotland.

He added: "This will not only involve building a better understanding of the employment opportunities and threats but also of the potential changes to workplace organisation and job design."

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, told the conference that while climate change is one of the most serious threats facing the world, action to tackle it offered "clear and tangible benefits to Scotland, bringing new jobs, cost savings and opportunities for sustainable economic growth."

He said: "The STUC is a crucial stakeholder in the delivery of our priorities for Scotland - including our ambition to achieve higher sustainable economic growth. Our Government Economic Strategy, Scottish Budget and proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill will help to provide that framework."

Paul Noon, General Secretary of PROSPECT and Co-Chair of TUSDAC (Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Council), outlined the campaign to give workplace environmental reps the same rights as other trade union reps. The February event also heard from MEP David Martin on the EU framework and the challenge of ensuring a 'just transition' to a low carbon economy.

Stephen Boyd, Assistant STUC Secretary, hoped the conference would become an annual event with reports on important action underway and less need in future for awareness-raising. A brief report is at: www.stuc.org.uk

Meanwhile Matthew Crighton, from City of Edinburgh UNISON, was the UNISON Scotland delegate at the Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Conference in London. He said 300 people attended this hugely important event and passed a resolution saying trade unions have a central role to play in developing just and equitable solutions and in building a mass movement.

There were calls for a stronger UK Climate Change Bill (with an 80% target for emissions cuts, like Scotland, instead of the 60% proposed, targets and the inclusion of aviation and shipping emissions).

Matthew reported that there was an underlying theme from some speakers that "carbon pricing/trading is fatally flawed". He added: "The issues here remain poorly understood but one facet which is congenial to union activists is that it is folly to rely on the market to direct the massive changes needed. However the most important point is that carbon pricing isn't working".

** STOP PRESS** Climate Change event organised by City of Edinburgh UNISON and World Justice Festival on 21 June in Edinburgh. "The Great Carbon Debate." Full details when programme announced on www.ewjf.org.uk

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