Climate Change

Science demonstrates irrefutably that man-made climate change is a major and growing threat to humanity and the environment. The ETUC calls on world governments to act urgently to limit carbon emissions and hold global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels – widely considered to be the threshold to avoid catastrophic impacts. Reaching a global zero emission before the end of this century must be the shared ambition of humankind.

Europe needs an energy transition towards a low-carbon economy based mainly on renewable energies and greater energy efficiency.  This would create new jobs while also improving air quality and reducing the number of related diseases.

The ETUC calls for an EU just transition strategy based on a just transition fund, as well as a governance framework that involves trade unions and encourages Member States to anticipate changes facing the workforce due to decarbonisation.

 

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  • 17.05.2024 Document

    Urgent need to support just transition ambition in Environment Council Conclusions

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    Dear Environment and Labour Ministers,In conjunction with the European Trade Union Confederation, we, the undersigned, serving as Presidents and General Secretaries of Trade Unions from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), are compelled to underscore the importance of safeguarding just transition initiatives deliberated within the Environment Council Conclusions.
  • 26.04.2024 Press release

    Heat deaths at work up by 40% in the EU

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    The number of people dying at work due to extreme heat is increasing faster in the European Union than any other part of the world, new data shows ahead of International Workers’ Memorial Day. According to estimates provided to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 80,800 people suffered injuries at work due to heat exposure in 2020 and 67 people died as a result of working in extreme heat. 
  • 08.02.2024 Document

    Climate targets without just transition is a ‘recipe for unrest’

    A dedicated just transition directive is needed to ensure the 2040 climate target announced by the European Commission can be met without further social unrest. Over the next 16 years, the Commission wants to achieve a 90% net reduction in reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. Trade unions support climate action – but already agreed climate legislation fails to convince people in affected sectors and regions because the European Green Deal doesn’t yet take into account the social and labour impacts of the transition. Too narrow
  • 14.12.2023 Press release

    EU can’t keep COP28 promises under austerity 2.0

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    EU leaders won’t be able to keep their promises on climate change if austerity rules are reintroduced, trade unions are warning after the conclusion of COP28. EU leaders used speeches at the summit in Dubai to renew their commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
  • 19.04.2023 Press release

    Fit for 55: Workers can’t wait any longer for Just Transition rights

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    This week the European Parliament voted to adopt the political deals at the heart of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Including the revision and extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. IndustriAll Europe, and the ETUC reiterate their demand that the industrial and social changes that ambitious climate targets must be accompanied by new rights for European workers to anticipate and manage changes to guarantee a Just Transition for every worker in every region of Europe.
  • 20.03.2023 Page

    Call for a subcontractor - Prevention of OSH risks emerging from the dual transitions and at the centre of the EU trade strategy – focus on the Twin Transition

    This is a call for a subcontractor to provide expertise in the framework of the implementation of the ETUC project “Prevention of OSH risks emerging from the dual transitions and at the centre of the EU trade strategy – focus on the Twin Transition”. The deadline for submission of bids is 10 April 2023 at noon (12:00). All details are in the Pdf attached
  • 01.03.2023 Page

    Bonus for cyclists in Belgium

    From 1 May, all private-sector workers who cycle to work in Belgium will have the right to higher mileage allowances, under a deal between trade unions and employers. The compensation per kilometre will increase from €0.24 to €0.27, indexed annually.
  • 20.11.2022 Press release

    COP outcome not up to scale of problem facing us says ETUC

    Unions for climate action and just transition
    Commenting on the outcome of COP 27 in Egypt, ETUC’s Ludovic Voet said “The outcome of COP27 is disappointing because the results are not up to the scale of the problem facing us. “The setting up of a fund for loss and damage, and the acknowledgement of the need for a socially just transition to a carbon-neutral economy through  social dialogue, are steps forward for coping with climate change and rebuilding international trust in the fight against  climate change. The achievements are the trees that hide the wood of climate inaction.
  • 01.09.2022 Page

    Fighting climate change in a trade union forest

    This summer, young people planted thousands of saplings in the forest named after Finnish trade union confederation Akava, in North Ostrobothnia. The 4H organisation’s Taimiteko project is restoring forests in areas where peat has been taken for energy production, and at the same time supporting summer employment for young people.
  • 20.07.2022 Press release

    Commission’s plan to save gas needs stronger social measures

    Gas pipeline
    The European Commission presented today its plan to reduce European gas demand  by 15% from 1 August to 31 March 2023. ETUC agrees that reducing energy consumption and encouraging energy savings is the most effective short term answer to the current emergency. Anticipating the challenges ahead and increasing coordination between Member States is also positive.
  • 01.03.2022 Page

    Sustainable transport subsidy for French insurance workers

    The CFDT, CFE-CGC and UNSA trade unions in France have agreed a sustainable mobility package with Paris-based multinational insurance company Axa, that will reimburse employees for coming to work by more climate-friendly means of transport.
  • 09.12.2021 Document

    ETUC position on the creation of a second ETS on road transport and building and of a new Social Climate Fund

    ETUC position on the creation of a second ETS on road transport and building and of a new Social Climate Fund Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 8-9 December 2021 Background On 14 July 2021, the European Commission published its Fit for 55 Package. This package consists in 13 legislative proposals that aim at aligning EU climate and energy policies with the new climate targets set by the recently adopted Climate Law – a GHG emission reduction of 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and climate neutrality by 2050.
  • 09.12.2021 Document

    ETUC position for A Just Transition Legal Framework to complement the Fit for 55 package

    ETUC position for A Just Transition Legal Framework to complement the Fit for 55 package Adopted at the Executive Committee meeting of 8-9 December 2021 Background On 14 July 2021, the European Commission released its Fit for 55 Package. This package consists of 13 legislative proposals that aim at aligning EU climate and energy policies with the new climate targets set by the recently adopted Climate Law – a GHG emission reduction of at least 55% by 2030 compared to the 1990 levels, and climate neutrality by 2050.
  • 01.12.2021 Page

    Social partners unite in the climate change battle

    A coalition of trade union, business and environmental leaders has called on the UK government urgently to implement the measures agreed at the United Nations COP26 climate summit in November. A letter to government leaders, signed by Trades Union Congress General Secretary Frances O’Grady together with the Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and green organisations, warns that existing climate policies are not sufficient to meet targets.
  • 10.08.2021 Press release

    ETUC comment on the IPCC’s latest report

    Cover
    The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently issued a very worrying report on climate change, tracing fingerprints of manmade pollution across the changing climate. The reports clearly shows “that every fraction of warming makes the planet less safe – and that every bit of action contributes to a safer future.”
  • 08.03.2021 Page

    Joint approach to sustainable energy in Italy

    Branches of ETUC-affiliated trade unions in Italy, Filctem Cgil, Femca Cisl, and Uiltec Uil, have signed an agreement with oil company ENI that promotes a just transition for workers, as the business prepares to reduce its carbon footprint. They agreed on a protocol to pave the way for discussions on ENI’s new business structure and its impact on human resources. The objective is to meet the challenge of energy transition in an inclusive way, based on social dialogue and preliminary consultation, with jobs at its heart. 
  • 24.02.2021 Press release

    Climate change adaptation strategy fails to protect workers

    climate adaptation
    The European Commission published today its new Adaptation Strategy designed to increase the resilience of the EU against climate change consequences.   While the European Trade Union Confederation strongly welcomes the idea of developing a new EU Adaptation Strategy, we regret to see that the one proposed by the Commission today fails to protect European workers against climate change consequences.

Contacts

Mr Ludovic VOET

Confederal Secretary

Mr Ben LENNON

Advisor

Mrs Caroline HUBERT

Administrative Assistant To Ludovic VOET