Speech by Joan Ruddock MP to the TUC Green Union Commitment Breakfast, London - 19 December 2007
It is a great pleasure for me to be here, as I have obviously worked with trade unions many times over the years. I wanted to speak informally from notes but I am speaking formally so that my words will be recorded on the Defra website, which I think is important. I appreciate all the remarks made today, and congratulate those of you who have signed the 'Union Green Commitment'. Trade Unions have a unique and valuable role to playin raising awareness and mobilising people to help us address the challenge of climate change and your commitment and attendance here today is a clear indication of this.
Globally, the past year has seen the momentum for international action on climate change gathering pace. And that was an historic agreement, Hilary [Benn] was right to say that, on the roadmap for achieving a global climate deal by the end of 2009 that was reached in Bali last week after two weeks of intense negotiations. For the first time ever all the world’s nations are in one negotiating group. This is an unique achievement.
The Roadmap agreed at Bali sets out a clear and comprehensive agenda for negotiations and a timetable ending in 2009. In particular, all countries will adopt a shared vision for long-term cooperative action, including a long-term global goal. The talks also resulted in breakthroughs on deforestation, on adaptation, technology transfer, finance and the carbon markets. Action on these will of course begin almost immediately, and they will also form part of the roadmap to a future agreement
Agreement on an international stage, if we can get it, must be matched by concrete and measurable action at home – and on that front, of course, our Climate Change Bill is at the centre of all we do. Our current climate change programme is putting us on track to not only meet our Kyoto greenhouse gas reduction commitment, but to almost double it. And, we have managed to secure this over the last 10 years when the UK’s economy has risen by around 28% - so we have decoupled greenhouse gas emmissions from economic growth. But we are not complacent - we know that we need to do more across all sectors of the economy.
We introduced the Climate Change Bill into Parliament in November. It is the first of its kind in the world. The Bill demonstrates the UK’s new approach to managing and responding to climate change. It does set ambitious targets and give us the powers to help achieve them.
Trade unions have played a critical role in the last 100 years in changing society for the better, at home and abroad. If we want progressive economic and social change, we need pressure from the bottom up and not just legislation from the top down, and for that we need trade unions and trade unionists.
The transition to a low-carbon economy will require the biggest restructuring of how we live and work since the industrial revolution. It is clear that the effort to reduce emissions will lead to changes in the organisation of all of our lives, of labour and jobs. These changes must be innovative and transform the carbon constraint into a positive economic opportunity, where Britain can move towards a low-carbon economy, and be a world leader creating new jobs within it. Government is just part of this modern global economy and cannot achieve this alone. As both the previous speakers said, we can only do it if we work together in every sphere.
I am aware that there is a rising awareness of green issues in young people, who are very important to the union movement, and I know that many Unions here today are already making a valuable contribution in this area, including through partnership with Government.
I’ve been particularly impressed by the approach adopted by your practical “Greening the Workplace” projects, funded by the Carbon Trust. I understand that the 6 pilot projects, including in Defra, have shown positive examples of employee engagement. Reps have undertaken carbon audits, raised workplace awareness, organised open days and other events, and the projects are beginning to demonstrate actual energy savings.
And I want to congratulate those Union Environmental Reps who have demonstrated how negotiating skills and experience can be used to support environmental outcomes – I think the example at the British Museum, where Unions negotiated a management commitment to making the new wing ‘carbon neutral’, is particularly significant and I look forward to seeing further examples of this kind.
Paul [Noon – TUSDAC Chair], of course, has spoken of TUSDAC and we very much in Defra value your involvement and contribution through them. TUSDAC is a useful forum to discuss common agendas and as a focal point for practical projects and activities. I know that Hilary Benn will now Co-Chair TUSDAC and has taken a close interest in the 2008 work programme.
Many Unions here today have already taken positive steps to improve their own environmental performance. Frances [O Grady – TUC Deputy General Secretary], you talked about the reduction of energy use in this building, which I am sure has been no easy thing as I have known this building for many years – I am delighted that you have been able to do so much.
As Trade Unions you are yourselves large employers and we all need to show by example that we are committed to this global challenge - whether this is how your buildings are managed, how your staff travel, or how environmentally aware they are.
On average we are each responsible for just over four tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year. As there are over six million members of TUC-affiliated unions, this means your members are responsible for some 25 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
The potential for action is enormous, so my challenge to you is tobuild on the Union Green commitment, set challenging targets for your organisations, and demonstrate to your members just what a difference they can make in the workplace.
The full impacts of climate change on the economy and workers, are not yet fully understood. There are major challenges, but also opportunities. As trade unions, you have the potential to influence company decisions on consumption and on production, on energy use and indeed on climate change across the UK economy. You can raise awareness and you can promote behavioural change.
Your influence extends across the UK economy. In the power, gas and water sectors, which are absolutely critical sectors for climate change, 97% of employees are in a union-recognised workplace. In transport and communications 63%, and in manufacturing 51%. This is a unique and important opportunity and we need your expertise and your continued engagement.
I think it was Paul who mentioned the Carbon Reduction Commitment in the Climate Change Bill, to cut energy-related carbon emissions from large private and public sector organisations. This is expected to cover up to 5,000 organisations, many of which are unionised. This is a real chance for trade unions to exert their influence over climate change policy, work with employers and drive down emissions.
The transition to a low carbon economy will also be a significant employment opportunity. The environmental industries in the UK are already worth more than £25 billion and employ some 400,000 people. And further demand and development will ensure that this sector continues to grow, providing high quality ‘green collar’ jobs.
Your members too will be in the forefront of the transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy – leading the effort to bring new and emerging technologies to full production. And I have no doubt, and again Paul made reference to this, you will need to press the case for new skills and training to ensure both the productivity and the safety of your members.
There is much work to be done too in adaptation, which again Paul mentioned. This work will become ever more pressing, and of course it’s your members, particularly in the emergency services, who can only too readily testify to the effects of climate change.
Finally, I know you will continue the strong leadership you have shown beyond the UK, working closely with your sister organizations and affiliates across the globe. There can be absolutely no doubt that the historic climate change already underway due to our industrialisation is already impacting some of the poorest people in the world. I know that colleagues from the TUC played an active role at Bali, working through the ITUC and engaging directly with sister unions from the developing world and the United States. This work provides real support to government objectives for an ambitious post-2012 agreement.
So I look forward to seeing the commitments you have made today turn into real action within your own organisations, within your membership and indeed within the UK workforce. In the race to head off dangerous climate change we need to engage every sector of society and we look forward to continuing to develop our shared agenda.
Page published: 19 December 2007