Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 48 – May 2023:

Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 48 – May 2023:

Introduction:

The Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) came into existence as a result of funding from Battersea and Wandsworth TUC. The GJA was launched to promote skills training and job creation to meet the needs of Britain’s rapidly growing low carbon sectors and to green the whole economy. The transition to a low carbon and resource efficient economy can drive sustainable economic recovery and job creation in every part of the country as well as making existing jobs more secure. But this requires a more strategic national and local approach to deliver the workforce skills needed and to stimulate demand for clean energy and energy efficiency services.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises at a national and local level to build the broadest possible support for the policies, investment, partnerships and commitments needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

The Greener Jobs Alliance liaises with training bodies, colleges, universities, employers, local and national Government, trade unions, housing associations, campaign and community groups – to build the policies, investment and partnerships needed to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

GJA ‘Free’ Courses:

The GJA runs a number of ‘free’ courses on the environment for Trade Union Reps in different parts of the UK which have been attended by a number of CWU Reps with details published in the newsletter.

The GJA now offer three ‘on-line’ courses as follows:

1. Climate Change Awareness

This short introductory course is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to develop their understanding of the issues around climate change.  The course is divided into 4 modules.  The modules contain background information, short videos, graphs and illustrations.

• Module 1: Climate Change Explained
• Module 2: International Responses
• Module 3: Trade Union Responses
• Module 4: Getting Involved

At the end of each section, there are references and links to additional materials if you want to go further. There are no formal tests and you can work through the materials at your own pace but there are optional quizzes to check your understanding at the end of modules 1, 2 and 3.

2. A Trade Union Guide to Just Transition

Social justice must be at the heart of the development of a net-zero carbon economy. The course covers:

• The meaning and history of the term just transition
• Why it should be a priority issue
• UK and international policies and case studies
• Ideas for developing an action plan

It is aimed at trade unionists and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of why just transition should be central to climate change policy.

3. Air Quality – a trade union issue

The following issues will be explored in this free online course. It is made up of 3 modules,

• Module 1: The Causes and Health Impacts of Air Pollution
• Module 2: The Law and Government Policy
• Module 3:  Trade Union Responses and Campaigns

Link to GJA on-line Courses:https://greenerjobsalliance.co.uk/courses/

GJA Founder Graham Petersen:

The founder GJA Secretary and Newsletter editor was Graham Petersen who is well known to the CWU and has a long standing working relationship with the Union. He is a former TUC tutor and course designer who created safety reps training courses and the successful TUC Occupational Health & Safety Diploma Course. He was the head of the Trade Union Studies Centre at South Thames College before retirement from the post and has been a visitor and guest speaker at CWU events and meetings. After 30 editions, Graham stood down at the GJA AGM and handed over to Paul Atkin as newsletter editor and Tahir Latif as GJA Secretary. Graham remains a GJA Steering Group member and is now working part time for the Wales TUC having recently written a publication for them ‘Greener workplaces for a just transition – a Wales TUC toolkit for trade unionists’ which was circulated by the CWU Health, Safety and Environment Department.

Paul Atkin Editorial GJA Newsletter Issue 48 – ‘Editorial: “El Nino is Coming!”:

Editor Paul Atkin opens by making reference to the successful, peaceful and positive ‘Extinction Rebellion’s’ ‘Big One’ mobilisation for climate justice which took place in April outside the Houses of Parliament when an estimated 60,000 plus people came out for the climate protest.  There’s reference to the world now on ‘El Nino watch’ and unprecedented heat waves already hitting South Asia, Spain and Africa with more extreme weather events expected this summer and for the next three or four years – not forgetting that the highest temperature yet recorded in the UK was last year! Paul calls for more big events like the April event with more visible Union presence. He adds that two thirds of the population want more action on climate breakdown and the need to show this on the streets and at the polls to turf the climate change deniers out and in the resistance to the cost of living crisis brought on by increasingly unaffordable polluting fossil fuels!

Contents GJA Newsletter 48: 

• Editorial: El Nino is Coming. We need Two, Three, Many Big Ones!
• Public Transport fit for the Climate Emergency
• Hydrogen Powered Vehicles?
• May is National Walking Month
• Better Transport Week
• Planning system changes needed
• Air Quality Strategy consultation a sham
• MUMS for lungs petition
• Get a Heatwave plan for your Workplace
• Climate in every Course. Lessons from Manchester Met
• We Make Tomorrow conference
• The Whitehaven Coal Mine
• Green Bites

What is a just transition?

A just transition seeks to ensure that the substantial benefits of a green economy transition are shared widely, while also supporting those who stand to lose economically – be they countries, regions, industries, communities, workers or consumers.

A rapid increase in the speed and scale of actions required to reduce the risks of climate change will create new economic opportunities.

Whilst a just transition is mainly based on environmental considerations, it is also shaped by other structural changes affecting labour markets, such as globalisation, labour-saving technologies and the shift to services.

A just transition is an integral part of many of the global commitments adopted by countries. The Paris Agreement acknowledges “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities” and highlights the importance of workers in responding to climate change.

Furthermore, the just transition concept links to 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, explicitly drawing together SDGs 12 – climate action, 10 – reduced inequalities, 8 – decent work and economic growth, and 7 – affordable and clean energy.

Many countries have recognised the challenge that this transformation entails and are taking measures to protect those that are most vulnerable and affected by the changes, including across the EBRD regions.

• The European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism is integral to the EU’s Green Deal, targeted at ensuring “a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy, leaving no one behind” and aims to mobilise at least €150 billion over the period 2021-2027;
• The Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration signed by 50 countries at COP24, which states that: “a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs are crucial to ensure an effective and inclusive transition”;
• Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, co-led by the International Labour Organisation, Spain and Peru, with 46 countries committing to develop “national plans for a just transition and create decent green jobs”.
• The UNFCCC Gender Action plan, whereby parties to the UNFCCC have recognized the importance of involving women and men equally in the development and implementation of national climate policies that are gender-responsive.

GJA Newsletter Snippets:

• Dramatic growth in EV sales

The International Energy Agency reports that more than 10 million electric cars were sold worldwide in 2022 and sales are expected to grow by another 35% this year to reach 14 million. The EV market share has risen from around 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022 and is set to increase further to 18% this year on latest projections.

• Better Transport Week 12 – 18 June

Running from 12 to 18 June and inspired by our 50th Anniversary, Better Transport Week will highlight positive, innovative work being done across the transport sector, promote the wide range of benefits of public transport, shared mobility, walking and cycling, and encourage more people to travel sustainably.

• Mums for Lungs Children’s Clean Air Petition

The GJA is asking for people to sign the Children’s Clean Air Petition (with Clean Air Bayswater) asking Party Leaders to clean up our air. Sign on behalf of yourselves and your children and share with family, friends and colleagues the MLC and GJA ask. Website: https://www.mumsforlungs.org/Email: schools@mumsforlungs.org

Sign the petition here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJxGREMlbUiFky2as4v4TbVSCOYWUZaEv4RVoCr5umkZYfaA/viewform

Much more in the GJA Newsletter No 48 attached.

Quote of the Month:

“A lot of people see climate politics as a marathon. But it’s more that we need to sprint because we started too slow.”
(Julia Epp, Scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact)

 Attachment:

• GJA Newsletter No.48 for May 2023.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

LTB 133/23 – Greener Jobs Alliance (GJA) Newsletter No. 48 – May 2023

Att: GJA-Newsletter-48-May-2023

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