Brussels, 18/12/2007
However, it regrets the fact that participants missed the opportunity to agree on binding commitments or targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the developed countries in the immediate future, as called for by the European Union negotiators and the ETUC. The ETUC emphasises the urgency of united action and calls on all the parties to respect the commitment to conclude negotiations by the 2009 deadline.
“The sooner we act to arrest climate change the more likely we are to avoid the catastrophic impacts of global warming in Europe and around the world,” said ETUC General Secretary John Monks. “We don't have time for the luxury of talking for two years before taking action. We hope that the consensus reached in Bali marks the start of a serious worldwide commitment. The hard work starts now.”
In Bali, ETUC participants worked closely with over 70 trade union representatives from around the world who were present at the conference, demonstrating the strong commitment of the trade union movement to tackling the problems posed by climate change.
The ETUC reiterates its demand that the future agreement covering the post-2012 period must include a new 'transition for employment' dimension to take account of the impact of adaptation to climate change on workers, involving trade union organisations, and providing for investment in the production of new goods and services that meet the climate change challenge.
The ETUC further welcomes agreement on measures aimed at helping developing countries to adapt to climate change, as well as funding the transfer of green technologies to developing countries.