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Representatives from Unifor participated in the Katowice Climate Change Conference in Poland, running December 2–14.
“We are here to raise the bar when it comes to Just Transition,” said Sari Sairanen, Unifor Director of Health, Safety and Environment. “Unifor, like other unions, want to ensure workers are at the table not on the menu when their futures are being discussed by industry and government.”
Sairanen is joined by Unifor British Columbia Area Director Gavin McGarrigle, and Unifor National Representative Rod Wood. They join other unionists from around the world in Poland to advocate for the adoption of Just Transition measures to ensure no one is left behind in a global economy cutting its greenhouse gas emissions.
The conference also aims to solidify commitments to fund low-carbon development and support those most vulnerable to industry shifts. In particular, governments are being called upon to fulfill their promise to mobilize USD 100 billion annually by 2020.
“We also need transparent and common reporting rules to ensure that countries are actually taking the action required in the fight against climate change" said McGarrigle.
Another objective of the conference is to encourage governments to commit to the Polish government’s Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration. The declaration, of which Canada is a signatory, seeks commitment towards a Just Transition for workers and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in our communities.
