Calling for climate action: Labour Party branch motion

 

We know supporters of the Campaign against Climate Change who are trade union members may also be active in their local Labour Party. This is obviously an important way to raise political awareness of climate change, both its impacts and solutions, and to push for the Labour Party to adopt policies which match the scale and urgency of the threat.

Below is a template motion for Labour Party branches. It would be helpful if you let us know (email info@campaigncc.org) where any motions have been passed successfully, or if not, what objections were raised.

This meeting notes the historic climate motion passed unanimously at TUC 2017. In response to floods in the UK, the horrific effects of climate change worldwide and in the face of Donald Trump’s announcement of his intention to withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, TUC conference agreed to call for energy democracy, a just transition to a sustainable future which protects current fossil fuel workers, insulation of homes, meeting carbon reduction targets, divestment of pension funds from fossil fuels, reduction of transport emissions and rights for environmental workplace reps.

This meeting urges the Labour leadership to fully adopt these measures as policy as well as incorporating the Campaign against Climate Change’s One Million Climate jobs proposal by unions, (BFAWU, CWU, FBU, NUS, PCS, TSSA, UCU, Unite) experts and academics, and endorsed by Jeremy Corbyn at the Paris 2015 climate talks. The proposal for a million new public sector jobs, ranging from housing retrofitting, to renewable energy, public transport, agriculture and training, would also give a boost to UK steel production, actively cut carbon and create sustainable employment, so key for abandoned post-industrial areas.

This 21st century infrastructure shows a clear route map for much of the just transition needed from carbon heavy industries to jobs for the future, and proves that the struggles for jobs and to fight climate change are one and the same. Climate change is a labour movement issue, and the trade unions and labour movement have historically been, and should be now at, the forefront of the progressive change needed to meet the needs of people and planet.

As a step towards pursuing these issues and raising awareness, this meeting resolves to send a delegate to the conference on 10 March 2018 'Jobs and climate: planning for a future which doesn't cost the earth'.

NB: More information about the conference and a link to book tickets on www.cacctu.org.uk

Download motion as a Word document

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