TUAC - TRADE UNION ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE OECD

20/12/2007

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) have welcomed the ’roadmap’ recently adopted at the global climate change conference in Bali, Indonesia.

The ITUC and TUAC join others in expressing their regret that COP13 did not adopt clear targets as a starting point for the upcoming two year negotiations but has welcomed the agreed 'roadmap', outlining the terms of reference for future talks.

The ITUC, TUAC and other trade union bodies had called for global emission reductions, based on the IPCC scenario for keeping the global temperature increase to within 2°C through an 85% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder says the road map allows for the future adoption of strong targets and that trade unions were committed to reaching such an objective by the 2009 target.

In Bali, a 80-member ITUC/TUAC delegation of trade unions lobbied for involvement of all countries to become part of a future scheme through ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. They argued for ‘Just Employment Transition’ planning and a positive ‘Green Jobs’ promotion programme, combining the involvement of the ILO and its concept of ‘Decent Work’ with comprehensive training and education of workers.

Trade unions also called for adaptation and mitigation strategies to address poverty and gender issues and promoted social dialogue and worker, trade union and stakeholder involvement as vehicles of positive change. They focused on the need for greening the world’s workplaces and on effective financing for climate policies and lobbied for principles of sustainable development to guide future talks.

TUAC General Secretary, John Evans says COP13 has already recognised the importance of some of these issues but the ‘road map’ has left the doors open for all them to be incorporated in future negotiations.

related weblink:

• Video watch: Anabella Rosemberg (TUAC & ITUC) explains labour issues at stake at the UN Climate Change conference in Bali.