Brussels, 20/12/2004
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the Belgian, Spanish and Italian trade unions have conducted an extensive lobbying effort in the recent Global Climate Change Conference (COP10) in Argentina.
The ETUC and the European trade unions welcome the COP10's focus on adaptation to climate change and resolve to place climate adaptation within a sustainable development framework. They recall the European trade union movement's support of the Kyoto Protocol, as well as for more ambitious emissions reduction in the long term, as proposed by some EU member states in COP10.
However, the ETUC and the European trade unions are concerned about the perception of climate change being purely a technical and economic issue. This feeling is also shared by representatives of the European Union.
The success of the ambitious emissions reduction policies inevitably require a wide social consensus to be built between the social partners, employers and trade unions. A strong involvement of workers in the workplace; where they are represented, is a key-factor ensuring that positive opportunities of climate change policy for employment and quality of work be exploited.
A better knowledge of the implications of climate change policies for workers is needed. In “developing” countries, but also particularly in new Member States of the European Union, that transition to a low carbon economy will have to be managed in an equitable and socially acceptable way, including employment transition programmes.
At COP10, the European Union missed the opportunity to demonstrate that European environment policy is consistent with an advanced social model, which recognises social dialogue and stakeholders' participation as essential values.
The European Union's position on the international climate change agenda must remain coherent with the values it promotes at home. The European Union should keep in mind that it is committed within the Lisbon Strategy to make employment, climate change and social cohesion policies mutually supportive.
The European trade union delegation in Buenos Aires
The European Trade Union Confederation
FGTB - Belgium
CSC - Belgium
CC.OO - Spain
UGT - Spain
UIL - Italy