Energy Policy

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 at the same time reducing dependency on energy imports and releasing financial resources to be invested in new technologies and innovation. It would also improve air quality and reduce 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.

The ETUC supports the objectives of the Energy Union and an EU energy policy based on solidarity, sustainability, security of supply and affordability, and monitors its implementation carefully.

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  • 17.02.2020 Page

    Apprentices in Swiss insulation industry tap into minimum wage

    Apprentices in the Swiss insulation industry will, for the first time, be sure of earning a guaranteed minimum wage as of January 2020. A collective bargaining agreement (Gesamtarbeitsvertrag – GAV) between the industry association ISOLSUISSE and the trade union Unia not only benefits learners but also increases wages and expenses for around 2,000 insulation plumbers. Apprentices starting out in the business will receive a minimum wage of 1,000 francs (€932,40) per month, increasing in the second and third years of apprenticeship.
  • 02.11.2017 Page

    Social partners unite for a just energy transition

    Trade unions and employers in the electricity industry have signed a joint statement supporting a ‘just energy transition’, calling for reskilling, quality jobs, social partners and local communities to be involved in change, and EU financial assistance to underpin the move towards cleaner energy.
  • 01.09.2017 Page

    German agreement paves way for energy transition

    A commitment to no compulsory redundancies is one of the key elements of a draft deal between German union ver.di and the Uniper energy company, now being reviewed by union members. In preparation for the phasing out of coal-powered operations and inevitable restructuring, the union has also secured an early retirement scheme. "Against the backdrop of the persistently difficult political conditions for the future of coal distribution, this long-term security is very important for our members," said ver.di negotiator Immo Schlepper.
  • 30.11.2016 Press release

    Energy & Climate Winter Package

    Commenting on the European Commission’s Energy Union winter package, the European Trade Union Confederation
  • 02.03.2016 Press release

    European business, local authorities, civil society and trade unions want EU leaders to live up to their Paris commitments

    ETUC source
    Today a major new coalition of businesses, cities, trade unions and NGOs, are calling on EU leaders to act on the Paris Agreement and ensure that EU climate policies are coherent with its goals. The new informal Coalition for Higher Ambition is an unprecedented gathering of stakeholders standing together to influence Heads of State and Ministers ahead of the 4 March Environment Council and the 17-18th March European Council – the largest and most diverse such grouping in Europe, on this topic.
  • 15.01.2016 Document

    ETUC declaration on the Paris agreement on climate change

    The COP 21 has delivered a universal agreement which will frame the long term action on climate change. The ETUC welcomes that agreement which concludes a long and complex negotiation process. Giving to the world a global instrument to tackle climate change is a major political breakthrough even though, as stressed below, this agreement is in many respects not as ambitious as we would have wished.
  • 25.10.2015 Page

    OUR JOBS DEPEND ON OUR PLANET

          #unions4climate COP21: ETUC calls for ambitious climate deal and climate justice for workers Read more
  • 01.10.2015 Press release

    Trade union leaders call for ambitious climate deal and climate justice for workers

    Today national trade union leaders from all over Europe showed their support for an ambitious climate deal at the UN Climate Change Conference and called for the deal to include a ‘Just Transition’ for workers.  For photos of today’s climate action see https://www.flickr.com/photos/etuc-ces/sets/72157658916317060 For video of the climate action see https://youtu.be/VndM8pyFSso
  • 15.07.2015 Press release

    Energy union: jobs policy missing

    Today, the Commission released its “Energy summer package” which is supposed to lead the way in transforming Europe's energy system. “ETUC supports the Energy union” said ETUC Deputy General Secretary Józef Niemiec. “We hope it will make the EU less dependent on energy imports, more energy efficient, more sustainable, and create more quality jobs.”
  • 22.06.2015 Document

    ETUC key demands for the Climate COP21 (ETUC Position)

    Position adopted by the Executive Committee of 17-18 June 2015 In December 2015, countries will meet in Paris under the UN auspices to seal a new global agreement to fight climate change. Ahead of this crucial summit, the ETUC reiterates its key demands to Parties, and specifically to the EU which must continue to play a leading role in the negotiations.
  • 20.04.2015 Speech

    Józef Niemiec: What is just transition, and why do we all need to get behind it?

    This article was first published by the Global Call for Climate Action on their website : http://tcktcktck.org/2015/04/jozef-niemiec-what-is-just-transition-and-why-do-we-all-need-to-get-behind-it/67880 By Józef Niemiec, Deputy Secretary General, European Trade Union Confederation   Climate action is not simply an environmental issue. It requires society to make major changes to the economy. It cannot be imposed from above.  
  • 25.02.2015 Press release

    Energy Union must include just transition for workers

    Source: European Commission
    The European Commission’s Energy Union package is ambitious and broad-ranging, says the European Trade Union Confederation, but its ‘action points’ lack detail on how it will be achieved. The ETUC welcomes the inclusion in the Energy Union package of references to:
  • 24.10.2014 Press release

    ETUC comment on European Council's climate deal

    Commenting on the European Council’s climate deal, Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation said “The 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions is a decent effort. At the same time, Europe will not generate investment and create jobs with such unambitious targets for renewable energy or energy efficiency.”
  • 22.09.2014 Publication

    Climate change: Act for people, listen to science

    Joint opinion article by Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, and Wendel Trio, Director of the Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe) published on Euractiv.com   According to Eurobarometer, nine out of ten consider climate change a serious or very serious problem. Meanwhile conflicts in the Ukraine and the Middle East show the fragility of our current energy system. European governments urgently need to find sustainable alternatives. 

Contacts

Mr Ludovic VOET

Confederal Secretary

Mr Ben LENNON

Advisor

Mrs Caroline HUBERT

Administrative Assistant To Ludovic VOET