Claire James previews Saturday’s Campaign against Climate Change conference.

Climate change is a class issue, and so the workers’ movement should be at the forefront of the movement to demand climate action. But this has not always been the case. At our conference in London on Saturday 13th April, ‘Climate Justice, Climate Jobs; what struggles do we need to win and how?’, we’ll look at some of the reasons why, and what we can do to address the arguments and battles that currently divide and weaken us.

The climate crisis is, without doubt, the biggest social justice issue we face this century. Those who contribute most to the rapid destabilisation of our climate are the wealthiest, and those who suffer most are the poorest. This can be seen both on a global level, shadowing age-old patterns of colonialism and exploitation, and within individual countries, where the emissions of the richest consumers far outweigh those of the poorest.

Heatwaves pose an increasing danger in many parts of the world. The most vulnerable include those who have to work in the heat, particularly doing physical labour, the elderly, and homeless people. Meanwhile, the increasing warmth of the planet’s oceans supercharge storms, whose warm air carries more rain and deadly floods. These storms threaten lives, homes and livelihoods. Both drought and floods are already hitting food production and driving up food prices. Every impact of climate breakdown exacerbates existing inequalities.

So what is holding back trade unions from making this existential threat and social justice issue a central part of their work? One reason is simply the power and influence of corporations and of the governments representing them. They make huge profits for a minority out of an economic system wedded to fossil fuels. They have significant control over much of the media which is used to denigrate clean technologies and renewable energy, and deride climate protesters as ‘eco-zealots’, out of touch with the ‘real world’.

Some of these narratives are also found within the trade union movement, linked to genuine and well-founded concerns that a transition led by corporate interests will not be to the advantage of workers. It is not always even easy to work out which of the promised ‘green jobs’ are genuine, and which are, when you look closely, more greenwash by the fossil fuel industry – adding promises of future carbon captured to carry on what is essentially business as usual.

With the cost of living crisis driving increased poverty and public services buckling under the pressure of a decade of austerity, those in power would like us to blame not the Conservative government, nor profiteering companies, such as the energy giants pocketing billions from rising bills, but ‘net zero’ policies. Or, of course, that ever-ready scapegoat, ‘immigrants’.

One of the strengths of the trade union movement is international solidarity, and that solidarity is essential to have any chance of averting climate disaster. We need to reject politics of division. That means standing together against racism, and abhorrent and illegal policies to deter those seeking asylum in the UK. It also means joining the global movement for climate justice and amplifying the voices of those in the front line of climate disaster.

There is a false perception that, for richer countries such as the UK, to do their fair share in tackling climate change would be unfair to those already struggling here. But in fact it is the same struggle against profiteering corporations and the wealthiest who exploit workers, exploit natural resources, and exploit our climate.

The tools by which this profiteering and exploitation are maintained include international finance, oppressive debts and allowing corporations to sue governments. They also include military force and destruction. We have witnessed the horrors unleashed in Gaza and the complicity of governments including our own. At the conference we will discuss the links between the struggle for Palestinian rights and freedom and climate justice. We’ll also discuss the defence industry in the UK and why UK trade unions should be working for the diversification of manufacturing.

In the current climate, it can feel that progressive movements must always be on the defensive, needing to fight against fossil fuel expansion; against attacks on the right to protest and strike; against wage cuts and privatisation; against racism and oppression. But it’s vital to be able to go on the offensive too, setting out a positive vision for an economy that could work for people and planet. As we approach a general election and expect a change of government, this is more important than ever.

The Campaign against Climate Change trade union group, which is hosting this conference, has always had a focus on climate jobs. Not ‘Which jobs will be lost if we move away from fossil fuels?’ but ‘Which jobs will we need in order to move away from fossil fuels?’ and how we could make this transition a much-needed transformation in society. The 2021 report, Climate Jobs: Building a workforce for the climate emergency, develops this theme further. One of the workshops at the conference takes up PCS Union’s own work on a National Climate Service. Others discuss the scope for public ownership in restoring public services, and how we could have a sustainable food system.

All are welcome to join us this Saturday – book your tickets now for this conference, helping us set out the Labour and trade union fight for climate justice. Let’s work together for a better future.

Climate Justice, Climate Jobs: what struggles do we need to win and how?
Saturday 13th April 2024

Venue: Crowndale Centre, London NW1 1BD
Timing: 11.00-16.30 (registration from 10.30)

Discussions include:

Opening plenary:
– What’s the balance sheet on climate in trade unions? Are we going backwards in the trade union movement?
Workshops (morning):
– A National Climate Service – why the market can’t deliver a plan for the climate.
– Greenwash and Jobswash – the false solutions which trade unions should oppose, not support, and why it matters.
– Climate Justice and Palestine – no climate justice on occupied land.
– Climate, Jobs and Public Services – fighting for public services and public ownership that delivers for people and planet.
Workshops (afternoon):
– Sustainable food production and decent work – organising across the food system.
– War, fossil fuels and climate – why defence diversification is a key battle for the climate.
– Ending fossil fuels and renewable energy – what would a workers’ plan for energy look like?
– Racism and migration – social justice and climate justice for North and South.
Final Plenary:
– Summing up the day and looking ahead – an election year for the climate.

More information here.

Buy tickets here.

Claire James is Campaigns Coordinator, Campaign against Climate Change.
www.campaigncc.org