THERE ARE NO JOBS ON A DEAD PLANET:

May 2017

THERE ARE NO JOBSON A DEAD PLANET:WHAT A JUSTTRANSITION MEANSFOR WORKERS

What you need

to know: Climate

Change, Trade

Unions and the

Just Transition

Climate Change is happening. TheEarth is predicted to warm by up to6 degrees this century, with severeconsequences, unless we take action.

Climate Change is caused by therelease of Carbon Dioxide (Co2) intothe atmosphere by human activitysuch as burning fossil fuels fortransport and electricity, andmethane from large scale agriculture.This Co2 traps heat in the atmosphereand warms the Earth.

Already it has caused increases inflooding, droughts and other extremeweather events. Millions have beenmade refugees. As global warmingincreases, its effects are predictedto become more severe.

The world’s scientists say we haveto greatly reduce the Co2 levels inour atmosphere in order to avoidextremely dangerous levels of globalwarming. Without action, warmingcould accelerate, affecting ecosystemsand farming and making large partsof the Earth less hospitable tohumans.

Working through the United Nations,the world’s governments have signedup to the UN Framework Conventionon Climate Change (aka the ParisAgreement, 2015). This sets out allcountries’ responsibilities to keepglobal warming to under 2 degrees of average temperature increase.

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Climate change threatens toundo all the gains that havebeen made against poverty overrecent decades. It is the singlebiggest threat to humanity butyet the political system has refused to move quicklyenough to address it.

Eamonn Meehan, Trocaire Executive Director

Climate Change is a political andeconomic issue: most of the warmingis caused by just 90 companies suchas BP, Exxon Mobile and Statoil. Mostof the harm caused is felt by thepoor. In addition, younger generationsstand to be the most impacted.

To solve this global crisis we must transition from an economydependent on fossil fuels to onewhich relies on clean energy sourcessuch as wind, solar, etc. In addition,public transport, energy conservationand sustainable agriculture must allplay a role in the transition.

Past economic transitions – such asunder Margaret Thatcher in the1980s – have left behind communitiesdevastated by unemployment,industrial decline and poverty. Thisis why the international trade unionmovement is calling for a “JustTransition”.

A Just Transition means that no onewill be left behind. Governmentsmust co-operate with unions,industry and local communities toensure that good quality jobs areavailable to workers in the neweconomy.

At the national and internationallevel, states must ensure trainingand funds are available for workersto transition to new industries. Newjobs must have good quality termsand conditions and union recognition.The process of transition mustinvolve consultation with workers.

SIPTU, with the international tradeunion movement is working toensure that as we take steps toprotect the climate, we do so in away that is just and fair to workingpeople.

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WHAT IS GLOBALWARMING?Global warming refers to the recentand ongoing rise in global averagetemperature near the Earth’ssurface, which can be traced back tothe Industrial Revolution. It is causedmostly by increasing concentrationsof greenhouse gases in theatmosphere. Greenhouse gases aremainly caused by burning fossil fuelsor using intensive agriculturalmethods such as heavy cattle

farming. Global warming iscausing climate patterns to change.

Due to these changes, the Earth hasheated by over 1 degree celsius. Ifthe global economy continues toburn fossil fuels at the present rate,by the end of the 21st century, theEarth’s temperature is likely toincrease by around 2–6 degreescelsius. Heating the planet by 2degrees celsius alone will meanmass desertification and the loss ofisland states and coastal regions. Atemperature rise of 4-6 degreescelsius will result in mass extinctionsof other species, severeflooding/drought, and increasinglyextreme climate events likeHurricane Katrina in the US andother such disasters.

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Climate Change:

No Jobs on a

Dead Planet

HOW DOES THISIMPACT WORKERS?The majority of the climate changesover the last 200 years have beenlinked to just 90 entities, such asExxon Mobile, Norway’s Statoil andBP. Climate change is a politicalchoice and action is stalled becausethere is a small minority who benefitfrom it. Existing inequalities will alsodetermine who suffers most fromclimate change’s effects. The deathrate of working class AfricanAmericans and the elderly in theaftermath of Hurricane Katrina, forexample, was six times higher thanthe rest of the population.

When it comes to climate change, itis front-line workers and theircommunities who bear the brunt ofthe blame and of the damage it willcause, environmentally, physically,financially. The miner or the peat-plant worker on the front-line shouldnot be held responsible for thedamage done by those who profitmost from a fossil fuel economy.

However, the times when climatechange was raised as a job killer arebehind us. Ambitious emissionsreduction and adaptation policiesare now recognised as vital toprotect jobs, people andcommunities from the impacts ofclimate change, and investment iscreating jobs in renewable energy,public transport, energy efficiency inbuilding, sustainable agriculture,forestry, water and more.

We know millions of workers andfamilies still depend on a fossil-fuel-based economy for their jobs andlivelihoods. They have generatedthe energy required for today’sprosperity. Governments andemployers, with workers and theirunions must sit together and committo protect our future through a justtransition strategy- a plan whichguarantees decent work for all.

Corporations who refuse to diversifytheir energy base instead set out tofrighten workers. But fear will notdeliver for working families incommunities dependent on fossilfuels. Fear will just increase the costsof action and make the prospect fororganising the transition we need tobuild together more difficult.

WHAT IS THEMEANING OF “JUST TRANSITION”?The Just Transition conceptrecognises that we need totransition from a fossil fuel economyto a climate-friendly one as fast aspossible, in the fairest way possible.

On 12 December 2015, globalleaders committed to the legallybinding UN Paris Agreement onClimate Change to phase out fossilfuels and limit global warming tobelow 1.5 degrees celsius.

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The Paris Agreement is theculmination of 21 years of tensenegotiations between 197 countriesunder the United Nation FrameworkConvention on Climate Change(UNFCCC), an international treatythat seeks to limit dangerous climatechange and share out equitably theburden of reducing global emissions.

Fought for by a coalition ofenvironmental NGOs and tradeunion groups, the term “JustTransition” in the Preamble of theParis Agreement recognises that“there are no jobs on a deadplanet”. Just Transition alsorecognses workers are at theinterface between society andnature. Past economic transitions,such as moving from post-warconsensus to deregulation underMargaret Thatcher, resulted in thedevastation of communities andworker’s rights.

In this transition, the 175 countrysignatories to the Paris Agreementmust take into account the effect ofclimate action, or inaction, onworkers and their communities.

WE WILL LEAVE NO ONE BEHINDThe international trade unionmovement’s engagement on climatechange is based on the belief thattrade unions have a vital role to playin improving the quality of jobs, inprotecting jobs in existingworkplaces and industries bydemanding sustainable industrialtransformation, organising workersin new decent jobs, emerging fromenvironmentally sound investmentsand policies and fighting for the justtransition measures that will ensurewe leave no one behind.

“We have a responsibility to move in the direction that Paris has given us – wellbelow 2C as far as possible to 1.5C – aworld that leaves no one behind. A worldthat is fair and inclusive … We can do it.And we will have a much better and moreequal world if we do.”

Mary Robinson, e Guardian, 16 March 2016

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HOW DO WE SAVETHE CLIMATE WHILE PROTECTINGWORKERS?Industrial transformation is animperative. The industries of todayare the foundations for the industriesof tomorrow. The opportunities forjobs are significant but so too arethe challenges.

In order to have a chance to staywithin the 2 degrees celsius limit,and even more for theinternationally agreed 1.5 degreesCelsius objective, emissions shouldbe reduced to zero as soon aspossible, and no later than between2055 and 2070.

Entire economic sectors musttransform their carbon footprint toreach that goal. All jobs must bemade climate-compatible.

While all sectors hold opportunities,the key to the transformation of ourindustries and our communities isenergy-reliable, renewable energy.The estimates vary, but studiesshow that at least 80 per cent ofcurrent fossil fuel reserves will needto be left in the ground to meet theobjectives of the Paris Agreement.Opponents of the transition to thealternative energy sources cite theirrelative cost but ignore health andpollution costs in our current energydependency on fossil fuels, not tomention the hefty subsidies thesefossil fuel businesses enjoy.

Universal access and democratisationof energy is needed if we are toachieve ambitious climate action.

• New models of renewable energy driving decentralised systems of power generation and distributionare needed.

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“e challenge of industrial

transformation is both an

imperative and an

opportunity.”

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation

• Co-operatives established to meet community energy needs are increasingly seen as an option and often assisted by local government.

• Energy transition plans at the national and local level need to bedeveloped in ways that serve the public good, meet science-based emissions reduction targets, reduce energy poverty and facilitate cross-border co-operationin research and development. These plans should involve communities in decision making while ensuring that the energy transformation is equitable and sustainable according to the principles of a just transition and participatory democracy.

Despite the opportunities for jobs,there will be significant challengesfor many workers and theircommunities. SIPTU is determinedthat no one will be left behind and

that the energy revolution should be supported by just transitionmeasures.

In addition to sustainable industrialtransformation, we must ensure thatthe energy costs for private householdsand companies remain affordable inthe transitional phase and that theburden must be distributed fairlytaking into account pressures onlow-income households and energyintensive industries where changewill be felt most.

WHAT ARE UNIONS SAYING?Unions want a clear vision of futureindustrial energy options and theimpact on workers. It is our job tofight for a transition that is just. Insectors where job losses areunavoidable, social partners (unionsand employers) need to develop

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“e Green Economy should not just be

about reclaiming throw-away stuff. It should

be about reclaiming thrown-away communities.

It should not just be about recycling things to

give them a second life. We should also be

gathering up people and giving them a second

change.”

Van Jones, American writer and activist

binding transition plans andstrategies that offer newopportunities to employees andactively shape structural change.

Unions represent workers employedin the energy and fossil fuel sectorsand in other areas that are affected.While companies make necessarychanges to compete in anenvironmentally sustainableeconomy, we must recognise thefears of people who believe they willlose their jobs. These workers are thebackbone of many communities andthey must be guaranteed a future.Redeployment and the chance tofurther develop their skills and makea contribution in new sectors andsecure pensions must be anintegrated package of guarantees.

An economic conversion of thismagnitude will require very robustresearch, innovation and trainingpolicies in order to facilitateadequate labour marker adaption.Vocational training and the packageof transition policies should not belimited to a few wealthy countries.Decisions should be made in co-ordination with workers and tradeunion representatives. Trade unionsshould demand that financialsupport be made available so thatdeveloping countries can deployjust transition measures.

TRANSFORMINGBUSINESS ANDINDUSTRIES: AWORKERS’ RIGHT TO KNOWAll industries must use technologiesand processes that contribute to azero-carbon economy. All workershave a right to know what theiremployer is planning to ensure theirjobs are secured through thistransformation. Unions will supportdialogue in existing industries andorganise workers in new industries.The formula for decent work includesmature industrial relations, fair wages,safe and secure work and respect forworkers rights, including dialogue.

This transformation of sectors andindustries must be supported by justtransition measures. Unions haveplayed our role in UN negotiationsand fought for these commitments.Now these are enshrined in the ParisAgreement. This means that carbon-dependent communities andworkers must not be forced to bearthe costs of change and that plansfor industrial transformation in allsectors are developed. We have aright to a seat at the table as we actto stabilise the worlds climate bymoving toward a zero-carbonemissions future.

The challenge for unions is to bepart of the dialogue that drivesinvestment, shapes industries for

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sustainability and ensures decentwork. Social dialogue, consultation,collective bargaining-workers have arights to be involved in the design oftheir future.

Workers and communities are on thefrontlines of climate change. Theymust lead the transition to a zero-carbon world. If the transition is tobe fast and fair, they will need to seeconcrete plans to be involved in thedesign of the future, notwithstandingthe threats, that can ensure bothsecurity and opportunity.

Transformation, however, is not onlyabout phasing out polluting sectors.It is also about creating new cleanindustries, new jobs, newinvestment and the opportunity for amore equal and just economy. It isabout community revitalisation anddevelopment so that, for example,the closing of a mine brings new

investment, jobs and infrastructure,rather than leaving workers and theirfamilies jobless and stranded.

Concrete and transparent plans are necessary to give everyonecertainty, from communities andworkers to investors and employers.Workers have the right to knowwhat these plans are and to helpshape them.

These plans must be built on social dialogue involving workers,communities, businesses andgovernments, so people feel somepower in shaping their working livesand communities.

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“Trade Unions want to be

fully involved in drawing

up regional plans for a

socially fair transition to

low-and no-emissions

industry.”

Montserrat MirETUC Confederal Secretary

RIGHTS MUST BE ATTHE HEART OF ANYCLIMATE RESPONSEClimate policies-both those aimed atreducing emissions or those aimedat building resilience and adaptivecapacity-must contribute to therealisation of human rights. This is aprerequisite for achieving thesustainability of climate polices:people will always stand withmeasures that improve their overallquality of life and their chance to livewith dignity on our planet. Havingrights integrated in climate policiesis a condition for communities tocontribute to broader socialprogress. Respect for genderequality, workers rights and migrantrights are fundamental for climatepolicies to support those who needthem the most.

WHAT DO WE WANT?The global transition to a low carboneconomy is now underway. Irelandmust cut its greenhouse gasemissions by 30% compared to2005 levels. Following EU targets,the Irish Energy White Paper(December 2015) requires theenergy sector to reduce its carbonemissions by 80-95% by 2050.

The question is whether thistransition is moving fast enough toprotect people and other species.There are also questions around howthe change is being implementedand whether it will simply intensifyexisting inequities. To solve theseproblems, the Just Transitionmovement calls on governments toensure the following:

• Engage and involve workers in the transition: Workers have a wealth of knowledge that can be

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“Climate Change is a planetary crisis.We've got to act,and we've got to act boldly.”Bernie Sanders

poured into creating a new economy. They are also best placed to know what works and how businesses and communitiescan actively engage in securing a just transition.

• Preserve Job Quality: High quality, well paid jobs must be preserved and normalised as much as possible. The necessary shift to a new economy cannot be used as an excuse to further erode worker security. Reductionin working conditions to short-term or zero-hour contracts, unpaid apprentices are not acceptable.

• Up-skill and Retrain: Invest in the retraining and up-skilling of workers. The transition will largely result in transfers of jobs from power generation to energyefficient construction, from peat plants to biomass use, goods transport to public transport and centralised city-based employment to stable, local economic diversification.

• Social Welfare Support:Communities dependent on high carbon industries will be hardest hit by a shift to clean energy. Governments and industries mustsupport a strong social protection system to ensure communities are supported as their workforce retrains and builds new clean industries.

• Support Low Carbon Employment: Care-work, community-work, the arts, journalism, education and are all low-carbon sectors of the economy yet increasingly under-funded. Galvanising growth in these sectors of the economy makes for better livelihoods and a safer planet.

• All fossil fuel exploration needs to stop immediately: There can be no more searching for new fossil fuel reserves. Further fossil fuel exploration, such as fracking, not only increases the risk of entering dangerous temperature levels but threatens a secure transition to a low carbon economy. Funds and subsidies must be diverted to worker retraining, up-skilling, education and community support.

WHAT SIPTU IS DOING ON THE JUSTTRANSITION• SIPTU’s involvement in the

Global Climate March on the 29th

November 2015 aligns with the union movement’s long history ofsolidarity with the Global South. The Global South will suffer most from climate inaction and “greenwashing” such as offsetting.

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• The union contributed to the public consultation on the National Adaptation Plan outlining a number of recommendations mirroring those of the Just Transition movement. SIPTU also called for the meaningful engagement of workers and their communities on the planned National Dialogueon Climate Change.

• SIPTU is working with our colleagues at European level in the ETUC to create a ‘Just Transition Structural Fund’ which would oblige the EU to provide funding to cushion the social impact of climate policies in regions with a high share of workers in carbon-dependent sectors such as peat excavation.

• SIPTU has supported the creationof the ICTU Energy and Natural Resources Sub-Committee which aims to build a formal social partnership with government andemployer representatives to bring about a Just Transition.

• SIPTU campaigns to prevent the privatisation of Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Irish Water. Public goodsin public ownership are central tothe concept of a just, low-carbon transition as publicly are pivotal to low emissions as well as energy and resource security.

Climate

Governance

needs to be

strengthened

A sound global climate regime is a critical part of the solution.regulations, timelines, sharedobjectives, common rules – theseare fundamental for ensuring thatthere are no free-riders, that alevel playing field is built and thatthe most vulnerable are protected.

We must ensure :

• National contributions are comprehensive and incorporate aspects related to employment and just transition.

• Clear standards for measuring progress and reporting ensuring promises are realised.

• Funds are committed for financing just transition measures at the national, sectoral and regional levels.

• Technology and knowledge transfer becomes a reality. Support for research and innovation in developing countries, including a substantial increase for research

and development (R&D) budgets, isneeded to ensure ownership and appropriateness of innovations, as well as preventing new forms of dependency.

CLIMATE ACTION –PART OF AMBITIOUSACTION FORSUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENTIn 2015 the adoption of theSustainable Development Goals(Agenda 2030) gives theinternational community a chanceacross policy areas. Every effortmust be made to avoid silos innational implementation. From aunion perspective, ensuring Goal 8on ensuring “Decent Work for All”requires alignment with climate

objectives, so that every jobcontributes towards climateprotection and resilience.

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The adoption by the InternationalLabour Organisation (ILO) and itsthree constituents (governmentsemployer and worker organisations)of the “ILO Guidelines for a justtransition towards environmentallysustainable economies and societiesfor all “ is a major landmark inproviding international guidance togovernments and social partnerswilling to make a just transition intheir countries.

Social dialogue and planning areneeded at the national level, inparticular in developed countries toclose the gap in emissions that preventus from being on a safe emissionstrajectory. Unions are conscious thateach decision on investment,infrastructure, employment, trade and taxation policies, among others,matters for the climate transition. Ourcommitment is to support thesepolicies going in the right direction.

The struggle for climate justicetouches all aspects of our societies.Therefore, working in co-operationwith social movements, environmental,gender-based and indigenous groupsas well as with progressive allies inlocal governments and amongemployers, is crucial if we are to winthis battle.

The union movement is committed tostrengthen alliances which support adeep transformation of our economicsystem into a fair, truly sustainable one.

SIPTU and ICTU through its member-ship of Ireland’s Coalition 2030 forsustainable development is fosteringthese alliances.

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RESOURCES AND CONTACTS:

For further information contact:Adrian Kane, Sector Organiser, SIPTU Energy Sector(Chairperson, ICTU Energy and NaturalResources Committee)Email: akane@siptu.ie

SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee:Yvonne O’ Callaghan, SecretaryEmail: globalsolidarity@siptu.ie

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Special thanks to SIPTU memberSinead Mercier in contributing to thepolicy development of this documentand the union’s position on ClimateChange and to Dave Curran of theOrganising Department in creating thisbooklet for members. Also to theSIPTU Communications Departmentfor producing this publication.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

ITUC (2015), “Climate Justice: There are no jobs on a deadplanet”, Frontlines Briefing, March. www.ituc-csi.org/ituc-frontlines-briefing-climate - See moreat: http://oecdobserver.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/5294/There_are_no_jobs_on_a_dead_planet.html#sthash.Irkv0yl3.dpuf

European Public Service Union (2014), Climate Change – what priorities forsustainable development?, EPSU Congress, Congress Resolutions, 20-23 May –See more at: http://www.epsu.org/sites/default/files/article/files/EPSU_Resolution_on_Climate_Change_May_2014.pdf

Childs, M. (2011) Just transition: Is a just transition to a low-carboneconomy possible within safe global carbon limits?, Friends of the EarthEngland, Wales & Northern Ireland, September.

European Public Service Union (2013), Joint EURELECTRIC/industriAll/EPSUposition on the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy Policies, EuropeanSocial Dialogue Committee for the Electricity Sector, Brussels, December.

Trade Union Congress (2015), A Green and Fair Future: Fora Just Transition to a Low Carbon Economy, Working Lives Institute.

SIPTU (2016) SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee Submission, PublicConsultation Responses for Invitation to submit views on the developmentof Ireland’s first statutory National Climate Change Adaptation Framework.

European Trade Union Congress (2013) A new path for Europe: ETUC planfor investment, sustainable growth and quality jobs, ETUC, Brussels.

International Labour Office (2015), Guidelines for a just transition towardsenvironmentally sustainable economies and societies for all, ILOPublications.

Labor Network for Sustainability (2016) “Just Transition: Just What Is It?”: An Analysis of Language, Strategies, and Projects, Labor Network forSustainability.

THERE ARE NO JOBSON A DEAD PLANET:WHAT A JUSTTRANSITION MEANSFOR WORKERS

This booklet is a guide for SIPTUmembers on what a “Just Transition”to a low carbon economy means for

workers and trade unions.

www.siptu.ie