Brussels, 13/12/2010
In particular, the trade union movement wants developed countries to commit to ambitious emission reductions under a legally binding framework. Climate finance needs to respond to the needs of the poorest of the world. Millions of workers and their families face destruction of their lands and livelihoods from extreme weather events and some 220 million are unemployed and desperate for a secure, decent and green job.
Trade unions particularly welcome the references in the text to Just Transition which creates decent work and good quality jobs, a crucial concept for building workers' support for climate action.
“At the same time, governments must raise the level of ambition. They must return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, and rectify the imbalances and omissions following Cancun. Durban must be the destination for serious climate action with a fair ambitious”, said Sharan Burrow General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
“We must act at once to introduce instruments that can secure the necessary funding, including a tax on financial transactions, as well as instruments for negotiations and social dialogue in all continents, in order to achieve this Just Transition. This will in turn help give concrete shape in Durban to the sustainable development goals enshrined in the Cancùn agreement, as well as to tackle proactively both global warming and social inequalities, and to facilitate the evolution towards a green and sustainable economy. Following Cancùn, the demands of social democracy have been reinforced” concluded Joël Decaillon, Deputy General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).