Conference videos

Check out videos from the plenary and workshops on YouTube

Fighting for a huge transformation of the economy in the interests of people and the planet should be at the top of the trade union agenda. But it isn't. So how do we make sure the strength of the working class and trade union movement is at the heart of tackling the climate emergency?

Thank you to all who came and contributed to the lively discussions on these crucial issues. Thanks to volunteers stepping in to help with this, we have recordings of the plenary speakers and of the presentations in seven out of the eight workshops, available at the link above.

Resources

Text of presentations from the energy workshop (not recorded): Pete Cannell, Ruby Earle, Linda Clarke

Slides from greenwashing workshop: Ellen Robottom, Merry Dickinson, Jonathan Essex, Pascoe Sabido

Food workshop resources - Food and Work Network; Recipes for a Revolution

Sessions

Opening plenary: 

- What’s the balance sheet on climate in trade unions? Are we going backwards in the trade union movement? With Sarah Woolley, General Secretary, BFAWU; John Moloney, Asst Gen Sec, PCS; Izzie McIntosh, Global Justice Now; Ian Mitchell, formerly Silverwood Colliery; Suzanne Jeffery, Campaign against Climate Change

Workshops (morning)

- A National Climate Service - why the market can’t deliver a plan for the climate. Round table trade union discussion with speakers including John Moloney, PCS; Sarah Woolley, BFAWU; Liz Wheatley, Unison; Les Levidow, UCU; Jenny Patient, researcher and former TUC Project Officer for Just Transition in Yorks & Humber

- Greenwash and Jobswash - the false solutions which trade unions should oppose, not support, and why it matters. Speakers including  Merry Dickinson, Stop Burning Trees Coalition; Pascoe Sabido, Corporate Europe Observatory; Ellen Robottom, CACCTU and Leeds TUC; Jonathan Essex, Green House Think Tank

- Climate Justice and Palestine - no climate justice on occupied land. With Ellie Kinney, Conflict and Environment Observatory; Anne Alexander, co-founder of the MENA solidarity network; and Manal Shqair, Palestinian  researcher, author and contributor to the book "Dismantling Green Colonialism" 

- Climate, Jobs and Public Services - fighting for public services and public ownership that delivers for people and planet. With Pallavi Devulapalli, Keep Our NHS Public; Simon Pirani, Fare Free London; Fran Postlethwaite, Better Buses South Yorkshire; Katrine Williams, PCS.

Workshops (afternoon)

- Sustainable food production and decent work - organising across the food system. With Sarah Woolley, Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union; Martin Empson, CACCTU, and author on class struggle, landwork and environmentalism; Radhika Jani, Platform's food justice project.

- War, fossil fuels and climate - why defence diversification is a key battle for the climate. Speakers including Khem Rogaly, Common Wealth; Sam Mason, CND; Suzanne Jeffery, CACCTU and NEU 

- Ending fossil fuels and renewable energy - what would a workers plan for energy look like? With Ruby Earle, Platform; Pete Cannell, Scot.E3; and Professor Linda Clarke; Jake Molloy, RMT and Just Transition Commission

- Racism and migration - social justice and climate justice for North and South. Speakers including Zita Holbourne, Joint National Chair of Artists' Union England and BARAC UK (Black Activists Rising Against Cuts); Tyrone Scott, War on Want; John Sinha, Campaign against Climate Change

Final Plenary:

- Summing up the day and looking ahead - an election year for the climate