The labour movement cares about global climate change because it affects our members and all Canadians. We want to create good, green jobs for Canadians to boost the economy and protect the environment we live in.
Every December there is a global climate change conference. This year, November marks the opening of the 21st annual Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). One year from now, all the countries of the world will make commitments and will sign a global climate change agreement at COP 210. In observation of this conference, we are proposing to take some concrete steps to make some changes, here’s how:
The CLC is working with our affiliated unions to green their existing jobs as the world transitions to a low carbon future. Meanwhile through the CLC’s advocacy and public policy work we have a plan to create One Million Climate jobs and are working with key organizations to ensure skills training and jobs development for the jobs of tomorrow in key sectors like public transportation, renewable energy and house retrofitting.
Working with Global Allies – The CLC is working with Climate Action Network – Reseau Action Climat, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED) to collectively push for a fair, ambitious and legally binding global deal in Paris, which works for workers.
Electing a Progressive Government in 2015 – the CLC is working to elect a more progressive government that will take action with other leading countries such as Denmark, United Kingdom and Sweden. A government that values the environment and will make serious commitments to climate change in Canada. Canada currently ranks #58 on a list of 61countries. We are right at the bottom with offenders such as Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kazahkastan.
Ensuring that climate change action, works for workers – Canadians need good local jobs, skills training and jobs development and the CLC is working to ensure that labour’s priorities are front and centre in the push for climate action.
