Climate Change - Green Jobs, Green Skills and a Just Transition

TUC: "A low carbon revolution needs to be about new industries and new jobs. Tackling climate change can’t be left to the market alone to deal with". - and Vestas workers given standing ovation for stand in trying to protect their jobs, and also promote green solutions 

Ed Milliband outlined his vision for tackling climate change, and stated the world needs to agree ambitious agreements at Copenhagen in December.

As a trade union movement we know that climate change a global issue, but it is also a local issue for our workplaces and communities. In making case for low carbon solutions it has to be part of a broader debate and argument for the need to promote a new vision for different society where climate change is tackled across the World.

A low carbon revolution needs to be about new industries and new jobs. Tackling climate change can’t be left to the market alone to deal with.

Part of the response to making progress we need to see the introduction of increased regulation to shift companies to greener commitment. We have seen with the current economic crisis that the market does not provide the solutions for a greener or fairer society.

It is important for the trade union movement to lead the way in the climate change debate, to lead the way in making the case for green jobs, to invest in industries to develop greener solutions. Not only is it important for the future of the world in tackling climate change, it makes economic sense to promote the creation of jobs in the energy sector which promote green solutions.

Workers who lost their jobs when Vestas shut were given a standing ovation for the stand they had taken in trying to protect their jobs, and also promote green solutions.