Labour and Environment

Side event: Unions Fighting Climate Change

2010-07-08T11:19:00.003+02:00

At the second ITUC World Congress, held from June 21 -25, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada, affiliated organizations from all over the world held debates on proposals put forth from the world of work to overcome current crisis in order to choose a new direction, with an emphasis on advancing in the areas of decent work and development, climate change, and just transition.
Contributing to the discussions on climate change, Sustainlabour organized a side event “Unions Fighting Climate Change, Join us!” which Sharan Burrow, the newly elected President of the ITUC attended as a keynote speaker along with 45 other participants. The side event opened with the screening of the ITUC/Sustainlabour video Time to Tackle Climate Change, produced in the framework of the project.
View video here.

UNEP-Sustainlabour project: After 3 fruitful years, looking ahead to more activity!

2010-06-30T11:01:00.000+02:00

The month of June 2010 marked the closing of a three years joint UNEP- Sustainlabour project “Strengthening trade union participation in international environmental processes” as part of UNEP´s programme on Labour and the Environment, with the support of the Government of Spain. The project has proven to be an initiative of great importance, contributing not only to promoting trade union participation in international environmental processes, but also to develop a number of activities for strengthening Trade Union capacities at the local and national level.
The area of work on “Labour and Environment” that opened this programme in a pioneer manner, has acquired over time important political relevance, demonstrating the necessity to also include the world of production through workers´ organizations in the impulse of sustainability policies.

Rio+20 Preparatory Meeting

2010-05-22T11:11:00.001+02:00

The first preparatory meeting for Rio + 20 was also held in New York from May 17-19. Are we in a position to achieve important advances by 2012? Are we simply looking to organize just another conference? Will we be capable of elaborating integrated proposals that serve to advance each one of the sustainable development axis, or will we continue confronting economic, social and environmental interests without advancing in any of them? How can we organize ourselves from the side of the social movements so that governments understand that there is no other option in the long term, and that they will not have our support in the short term, if they do not demonstrate the necessary ambition in the form of an urgent change of the current model?
Read more on our website.

CSD 18: Pushing for a sustainability revolution

2010-04-16T10:46:00.001+02:00

The 18th cycle of UN´s Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) takes place from May 3 – 14, 2010 in New York. The focus of this year´s review session is to identify and evaluate constraints in relation to the following thematic issues: Transport, Chemicals, Waste Management, Mining and the Ten-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns. The Commission will serve as a platform to start discussions on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be held in 2012 (Rio +20), preparations for which will take place immediately following the Commission’s session, from 17 to 19 May.
As in previous years, a trade union delegation coordinated by ITUC will be present. The objective for the two-week proceedings is that they be meaningful for people, for the environment and for the economy – the interrelated dimensions of sustainable development.

Four years later: Advances and Challenges in Africa

2010-04-15T11:58:00.000+02:00

Second Regional Trade Union African Conference on Labour and Environment – Nairobi, April 7-8, 2010.
The Second Conference we held four years after the first Conference in Johannesburg in 2006 as part of the joint UNEP-Sustainlabour Project on Labour and Environment, and hosted 45 trade union delegate participants from 19 different countries. Statements such as “…we Africans produce what we don’t eat and eat what we don’t produce” made in the first sessions of the Conference characterize the current reality in many African countries as well as the social and environmental challenges. The effects of the financial and economic crisis in Africa; informal work trends; the potential for the creation of green jobs in the continent; climate change and its effects in productive sectors – in particular agriculture; pesticides and chemical risk were some of the topics covered. This event provided a space for information-sharing on the initiatives carried out over the past four years and for analyzing the challenges for the labour movement in terms of advancing the agenda toward a socially fair and environmentally sustainable model with decent work. In addition it also served as a platform for defining steps toward strengthening trade unions´ work related to the environment at the national and regional level.

National Training Session on Labour, Development and Environment (by the Youth group of the CTA)

2010-04-11T11:54:00.000+02:00

The National Training Session will be taking place in Buenos Aires form 24th to 26th April, as part of the preparatory process for the National Youth Meeting. Around 30 young trade union delegates will take part from all over the country. This initiative benefits from the support of Sustainlabour.

Accra – Training on Chemical Risk

2010-03-11T11:55:00.000+01:00

In Africa as much as 50,000 tonnes of obsolete stockpiles of pesticides contaminate soil, water, air, and food both for domestic consumption and export (UNEP GEO 4, 2007). Statistics of poisonings cases (although usually grossly under reported) have estimated that between 46 and 84% of all poisonings in adults are attributable to occupation or the environment (WHO, 2006). While alarming, these figures reflect a reality for the African people in their workplace and daily lives. A group of 17 trade union representatives from 14 African countries (Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Togo, Ivory Coast, Chad, Botswana, South Africa, Benin, Rwanda and Ghana) recently gathered to address the trade union agenda for the sound management of chemicals at a training event organized by ITUC Africa held in Accra from March 8-9, 2010, as part of the joint UNEP/Sustainlabour programme on Labour & Environment.
One of the objectives of this workshop was to form a regional network of unionists working in the area of chemical risk. During the training sessions of the workshop the health and environmental effects of chemical substances were outlined, relevant tools were reviewed for dealing with and reducing chemical risk at the workplace – from practical issues such as reading labels, to how to incorporate clauses and concrete measures in collective bargaining negotiations and agreements, as well as how to demand the right to information and the application of the precautionary principle in the workplace.
In addition this activity was geared toward improving knowledge of national legislations as well as international reference tools, ILO conventions, StockholmBasel and Rotterdam Conventions and SAICM (Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management).

Preparing for Bali

2010-02-28T10:47:00.000+01:00

The Eleventh Session of the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum was held from 21-22 February 2010, prior to the 11th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum scheduled for 24-26 February 2010, in Bali, Indonesia. The forum provided a platform for civil society for exchange, consultation and strategy definition on key environmental issues to be addressed by the Member States during the governing council. The Forum was attended by some 1,000 participants from 130 countries, including nearly 100 Ministers of Environment, and the following topics were covered a) International Environmental Governance and Sustainable Development, b) The Green Economy, c) Biodiversity and Ecosystems.

COP 15 in Copenhagen

2010-02-15T10:38:00.001+01:00

The UNFCCC 15th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change was the biggest ever. More than 45,000 people applied to attend COP15, and even more went to Copenhagen to participate in parallel activities. It was fundamental for the international trade union movement to show its commitment to achieving a fair, ambitious and binding outcome and to raising the profile of the labour movement’s demands for a “Just Transition” when these decisions were taken.
More than 400 trade unionists attended the Conference.
Nevertheless, the Copenhagen summit has left the fight against climate change in a difficult situation. The wounds are deep and have left us with little time to think of strategies and regain strength after the defeat.
See our bulletin for more information and see here for the special post-COP issue of Outreach.

Taking care of health and the environment at the workplace – training in Arusha

2010-02-01T11:56:00.000+01:00

Arusha, Tanzania – Trade unionists from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda came together to advance toward the sound management of chemicals. The event which took place from January 18 – 19, 2010 was organized by ITUC-Africa part of the joint UNEP-Sustainlabour programme on Labour and Environment.From March 8-9, 2010 in Accra, Ghana, a similar workshop will be held, this time for participants in francophone countries in Africa. Stay tuned for upcoming information.The workshop aimed to build a network of trade unionists in charge of management of chemical risk. The training session carried out focused on strengthening awareness of the health and environmental impacts of chemicals, and providing tools for addressing and reducing chemical risks at the workplace, ranging from practical information such as how to read a label, to how to include related provisions in collective agreements, or how to demand for the right to be informed and for the application of precautionary principle at the workplace.The seminar also aimed to improve knowledge on national legislations and references to international tools, ILO conventions, Stockholm, Basel and Rotterdam Conventions and SAICM (Strategic Approach to Chemicals Management).

COP Side Event: Financing Climate Change

2009-12-02T12:38:00.007+01:00

How much funding is lacking? Who should pay? Using what mechanisms? Toward what type of activities and sectors should investment made and how? There are some of the questions which will be covered during this seminar which will be held on Wednesday, December 16 in the World of Work Pavilion at 18:00 – 19:30.
The following trade union as well as civil society organizations will take part and present their positions on this issue: ITUC, ETUC; COSATU - South Africa, GEFONT and NTUC – Nepal, CCOO – Spain, Oxfam, Climate Justice and Sustainlabour.
More information here.

COP Side Event: Women Workers and Green Jobs

2009-12-02T11:43:00.004+01:00

Where does equality remain in the promotion of green jobs? If green employment represents the jobs of the future, they must also be jobs for women. Is this variable integrated into current proposals? The Sustainlabour Foundation and the ITUC have opened a debate as part of the first reflection on this issue in the form of a draft report entitled ¨Women Workers and Green Jobs: Employment, Equity and Equality¨ to be presented Wednesday, December 16 in the World of Work Pavilion at 15:00 – 16:00.
More information here.

Preparations for Copenhangen – the trade union WoW pavilion

2009-11-25T14:45:00.003+01:00

During the COP15 Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, the Danish trade union LO-Denmark will open the doors to its building for the World of Work (WoW) Pavilion from December 14 – 16, 2009. During three days the pavilion will host various trade union activities.
Among the activities set to take place, Sustainlabour will participate in the organization of two events on Wednesday, December 16. In addition, as part of the joint UNEP/Sustainlabour programme on Labour and Environment, Sustainlabour will provide assistance to the trade union delegation and facilitate the participation unionists in the negotiation processes.
Finally the premier of a video, produced jointly by Sustainlabour and the ITUC, about Trade Unions and Climate Change will be held at the closing of the WoW Pavilion in the Worker´s Museum on December 16, from 20:00 to 22:00.

More information will soon be available.

Women Workers and Green Jobs report

2009-11-01T11:43:00.001+01:00

“Green jobs should be unionised jobs where concerted efforts are made to employ, recruit, train, pay equitably and organise women”, a sentiment reflected in the Sustainlabour-ITUC joint preliminary report entitled ¨Women Workers and Green Jobs: employment, equity and equality¨ and presented recently at ITUC´s first World Women’s Conference held on October 19 – 21, 2009 in Brussels. The report explores the creation of green jobs in various sectors; analyzes to what extent women workers have access to these positions; the necessary policy measures that must be adapted to ensure the inclusion of the gender dimension into the green jobs agenda, and the role of unions in the organization of women workers in the emerging green economy. This draft will be presented at the Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December.
For more information click here.

Climate change talks in Barcelona

2009-11-01T09:30:00.000+01:00

Held from 2-6 November 2009, the Barcelona Climate Change meeting represents the final round of negotiations before the Conference in Copenhagen. The talks which will be attended by over 4,000 delegates and international observers will aim to draw up a text for an agreement at COP15 and will cover themes such as Adaptation, Mitigation, Financing, and Technology Transfer.
More information here.

First Trade Union Conference on Labour and Environment

2009-10-05T14:42:00.000+02:00

The first regional conference on Labour and Environment for Eastern European and Central Asian countries was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on September 23-25, 2009. The event was organized by the Pan-European Regional Council of the ITUC (ITUC-PERC) and Sustainlabour with the support of the International Trade union Confederation in Azerbaijan (AHIK). The Conference aimed at establishing a framework for discussion and the adoption of common strategies for action on Sustainable Development by Trade Unions from NIS countries. This event is part of the joint UNEP-Sustainlabour project on “Strengthening trade union participation to international environmental processes”.

See here for more information.

Launch of pesticides project in Western Africa

2009-09-02T16:41:00.000+02:00

The first union project on sound management of pesticides use in the sugar cane and cotton sectors of the French-speaking Afican countries of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin, was presented in Cotonou, Benin from August 24 – 26, 2009. The project is a follow up of a pilot initiative originally carried by IUF, ILO and the WHO in 1995 in Tanzania, Ghana, and Kenya.
With the support of Sustainlabour the project aims to strengthen workers skills and knowledge on occupational health and safety, and the environment in these two sectors, which are known for their use of high levels of pesticides.

Food Crisis and Climate Change

2009-09-01T14:40:00.000+02:00

The ITUC – Africa with the support of Sustainlabour, held the first trade union workshop on Food Crisis and Climate Change in Africa from August 17-18, 2009 in Lome, Togo. A total of 30 unionists from 19 countries took part in this event. Activities carried out in this workshop are part of the joint UNEP-Sustainlabour project on “Strengthening trade union participation to international environmental processes”.
Over the two day workshop participants analyzed the causes of the deteriorating state of global food availability. This included discussion about financial factors; unequal distribution of land; unsustainable use of natural resources such as water, and threats to biodiversity, along with a special analysis of the impacts of climate change on agriculture.

ITUC-Africa: Candidate selected in charge of addressing Environment and Occupational health themes

2009-07-29T14:41:00.001+02:00

The ITUC-Africa has called for the creation of a new work area reflecting the themes of sustainable development and occupational health in order to facilitate the coordination and the promotion of related trade union actions in the region. This is the second regional trade union organization after the ITUC-Latin America that has elaborated a specific work area related to environmental and sustainable development themes.
The successful candidate, Yahya Msangi, will be in charge of work in this area pertaining to climate change, sustainable development, chemical risk and occupational health are challenges so that these themes are better reflected in ITUC-Africa’s agenda.
Mr. Yahya Msangi has many years of experience working with trade union movements and is a great reference person in the area of chemical risk and occupational health especially in the agricultural sector. Yahya has collaborated and supported several of Sustainlabour´s activities undertaken in the past few years and we extend him a warm welcome as he assumes his new post.

Africa: Food Crisis and Climate Change Seminar

2009-07-20T17:39:00.000+02:00

The International Trade Union Confederation of Africa (ITUC-Africa) with support of Sustainlabour is currently organizing a trade union seminar on Food Crisis and Climate Change which will take place on August 18 – 19 in Lomé, Togo.
The seminar hopes to create a space a for discussion regarding the causes of the deteriorating state of global food availability including financial factors; unequal distribution of land; unsustainable use of natural resources such as water, and threats to biodiversity, along with a special analysis of the impacts of climate change on agriculture. Another premise of the event is to develop a regional plan of action for the coordination of trade union activity in this area. Trade union representatives from more than 25 countries as well as experts from various international organizations will be in attendance.

Sustainlabour and the IUF: Global Pesticides Project in francophone Africa

2009-07-08T09:43:00.000+02:00

In 1998 several African trade unions from Ethiopia, Malawi, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe began a project entitled ¨Global Project on Pesticides¨ with the objective of reducing and minimizing the impacts of pesticides use on farmers´ health and the environment. The project included a wide range of activities: the elaboration of materials, training, trade union activities, and projects related to the substitution of the use of harmful chemicals.

Sustainlabour delivers training session in renewable energies with workers in Peru

2009-07-04T09:42:00.000+02:00

From June 18-23, 40 workers from the Cajamarca region of Peru participated in a professional training course on photovoltaic solar energy. The course covered topics such as the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of photovoltaic energy systems while serving to promote the creation of sustainable employment in the region and in the country.
The session took place in the Centre for Technical Training in Applied Technologies (CEDECAP) in Cajamarca. Sustainlabour organized the event in cooperation with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) and Practical Solutions ITDG. This project is part of the joint UNEP-Sustainlabour programme on Labour and Environment.

Trade Unions at the OECD Conference on Nanotechnology

2009-07-02T13:36:00.001+02:00

The OECD Conference on Potential Environmental Benefits of Nanotechnology: Fostering Safe Innovation-Led Growth will be held in Paris from July 15 -17, 2009.
Trade Unions will participate in the Conference in order to bring forward general concerns and input as food for thought in the area related to the occupational health aspects of nanotechnologies. The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) will participate in the opening plenary to address these issues.

Climate change: Sustainlabour continues its work on the road to Copenhagen

2009-06-13T17:18:00.001+02:00

A large delegation of trade-unionists took part in the preparatory meeting for the Copenhagen Summit (1st to 12th June in Bonn, Germany). Sustainlabour was also there, supporting trade union positions, and reinforcing their weight in these vital international negotiations.
Over the past few weeks there has been positive news for the trade union movement. The “chair’s official negotiation text”, which was published a few weeks prior to the meeting and which will form the basis for climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, includes the recognition of the need for a just transition for workers who will be the most affected by the carbon emission reduction efforts. Trade unions’ and the ITUC’s hard work has paid off. More information is available here.

Sustainlabour: launching of the training guides in Russian

2009-06-05T11:41:00.002+02:00

The UNEP and Sustainlabour training guides on Climate Change and the Rational Management of Chemical Substances have just come out in Russian. They can be downloaded from our website .

The trade unions make themselves heard during the CSD

2009-05-18T17:33:00.000+02:00

Sustainlabour actively participated in the 17thssion of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) which took place in New York City from the 4th the 15th of may. During this session, the focus was on Africa, agriculture, droughts and desertification, among others. The trade union movement, with 24 delegates from 14 countries, insisted on the need to include key issues into the debate: the need to protect and give a voice to agriculture workers, the need for a right to food, or the urgency to promote social protection and decent work in rural areas in order to advance towards a more sustainable agriculture.
Sustainlabour and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) organized an event on the 11th May entitled “In the context of a multiple crisis (food, labor, financial, climatic): a new global compromise on agriculture?”. 40 delegates, of which a number of governmental representatives, took part in the workshop. Speakers included Danila Boneba, the United Nations rapporteur on the right to Food, and Katishi Masemole, general secretary of COSATU, among others. The director of Sustainlabour, Laura Martin (who also made a presentation) and Anabella Rosemberg of the ITUC were present at the meeting.

UNEP-Sustainlabour: training on renewable energies in Peru

2009-05-18T09:40:00.000+02:00

Over the month of June, Sustainlabour will be organizing a professional training course on solar energies which will be mainly targeted at construction workers. The course includes the evaluation, design, implementation and management of photovoltaic energy systems, thereby encouraging the creation of sustainable jobs in the region and throughout the country. During the training, there shall be a combination of theoretical and practical activities, including the setting-up of a photovoltaic energy system.

Sustainlabour at the International Conference on Chemical Management

2009-05-16T13:29:00.000+02:00

Sustainlabour actively participated as part of the Trade Union Delegation at the second session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM2 – SAICM) which took place in Geneva from the 11th to the 15th May. SAICM is a non-legally binding United Nations process which aims at ensuring that, by the year 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health.
Questions about the actions to undertake on emerging issues such as chemicals in products, lead in paints, electronic waste, nanotechnology and nanomaterials were part of the discussion. Also basic questions on rules of procedure and how to monitor the progress in achieving the goals were part of the agenda.
Although progress in some areas was observed, there was important disappointment on others as for example the outcomes on nanotechnologies which did not success to adequately address occupational health and safety issues.

United Nations Comission on Sustainable Development: Sustainlabour prepares a side event

2009-05-09T21:43:00.001+02:00

A new policy session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CDS) takes place in New York from 4th to 15th May. The session is focused in Africa, agriculture, drought and desertification and rural development, among others. Last year politics were reviewed and now it is time to approve recommendations to deal with these issues.

Sustainlabour and the International Trade Union Confederation, in partnership with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, organise a side event on the 11th in United Nations building. The event will be focused on hunger and changes in agriculture in the contexts of crisis. ITUC will also present a report on the Food Crises “A Recipe for Hunger. How the World is Failing on Food”.

On 6th May, Laura Martín, director of Sustainlabour, spoke to the plenary in representation of trade unions groups to call for the inclusion of fundamental issues such as the need to increase the incomes on rural and urban workers and guarantee that agriculture works for their communities. She also defended the need to include occupational health issues in the final text. Martín expressed trade unions disappointment because there was just a single minute for civil society interventions, and thanked United States governments for its attempt to increase trade unions participation.

Bonn Climate Change Talks

2009-05-06T16:52:00.002+02:00

The first series of talks on climate change ended on 8th April in Bonn (Germany). Throughout this year, governments are negotiating for a new and ambitious agreement on climate change (in view of the upcoming COP in Copenhagen next December). In Bonn, ITUC called for the integration of social justice into the transition towards a low carbon economy. Read more in our bulletin.

Second Conference on Labour and Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean

2009-05-01T21:35:00.001+02:00

From 4th to 6th of May, TUAC organises the Second Trade Union Conference on Labour and Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the presence of more than 70 participants from the region. Chemicals management and climate change are the two main issues addressed at the conference. This Conference is part of the joint programme UNEP-Sustainlabour, and it is a follow up of the First Conference which took place in April 2006.

One of the main objectives of the event is to provide information to the trade union movement on both issues. In fact, trade unions have been working in recent years in climate change and sound management of chemicals, and its consequences for workers.

On climate change, it was expressed the need to advance towards a consolidated, common trade union position to be defended at the upcoming United Nations Framework Conference in Copenhagen. On chemicals management, the conference mostly focus on training with the objective to place Trade Unions in a better position to demand more chemical health and safety programs to public and private sectors.

For more information on the conference, documents, etc. visit TUCA's site here

Trade union conference on Labour and Environment in Latin America and the Caribbean

2009-04-06T13:51:00.001+02:00

The 2nd Trade Union Conference will take place in Buenos Aires, Argentina from 4th to 6th May 2009. This conference is part of the programme on Labour and Environment that is currently being jointly developed by Sustainlabour and UNEP. This conference places itself in line with a series of scheduled conferences: Asia (which took place in Jakarta in November 2008), Africa and Eastern Europe (scheduled for 2009).

2009 UNEP Governing Council: one of these years to be remembered

2009-03-17T20:28:00.000+01:00

The last Governing Council of UNEP will be probably be remembered as the begging of the end for mercury. It has been finally approved to establish a legally binding instrument on mercury, commencing the work of the first intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) in 2010. After more than nine years advocating on the need to elaborate a legally-binding mechanism to control, reduce and eliminate mercury; this agreement is indeed an important step forward and really good news –a prolonged applause accompanied the decision, that some defined to be a moment of shared spirit of compromise.

The change of position on mercury of the recently new US administration has been one of the most expected political movements, and it has happened. Although they did not go as far as leaving the door clearly open to use this instrument to add other hazardous substance as lead and cadmium, the change of position and attitude it is in itself relevant. Let’s hope this more concealing and compromised position will be the attitude in the rest of the environmental forums.

At this meeting, UNEP has also presented a report called “Green New Deal” in which puts forward the need to integrate environmental questions as part of the economic response and measures that are being articulated to address current crises and to move towards a green economy. The report presents the opportunities that this crisis might open and expresses the need to redirect investments and policies towards those sectors that incorporate the environmental dimension.

The notion of green economy has been used by many of the Ministers and delegates during the Ministerial Consultations, though definitions have not been always the same. It was largely presented the positive opportunities of access into market, employment, investment… Many countries presented project on the “green” -particularly renewable energies.

Besides this, it has prevailed a certain shared sentiment mainly amongst the developing countries that this new green innovations will only benefit and will be accessible in developed countries. So aspects as the need to integrate social redistribution, making the link with the agenda of poverty eradication and the need to change the current model were launched at the debate but some of them were left quite aside.

You can download the report on the UNEP Green New Deal here. The Trade Union statement can be dowloaded here, and one of the inverventions made in Plenary at the Minsterial Consultations here.

Conference on Good Jobs, Green Jobs

2009-02-10T10:27:00.001+01:00

The conference was hosted by the United Steel Workers and the Sierra Club February 4-6 in Pittsburgh, USA and brought together advocates representing local, state and federal policy makers; labor; business; the environment and public health; economic and workforce development specialists; investors; and scientists and technology experts to address the issue on “Good Jobs, Green Jobs”.
For more information visit our website.

Trade Union debates at the COP14 in Poznan. Balance and presentations.

2008-12-11T09:01:00.000+01:00

Around 40 trade union representatives participated in the training sessions organized by Sustainlabour on December 3rd and 4th, in the context of the COP 14 on Climate Change.
Participants could enjoy the presentations of leading experts from all over the world on key issues related to climate change scientific aspects and negotiations, in a highly qualified space of debate and reflection before entering international negotiations.
Presentations are available in Sustainlabour's website (click here) or you can also take a look in our documents at "COP14 in Poznan. Presentations" in this site.

Regional conference on Labour and Environment: What’s been said? A constructive balance

2008-12-10T20:49:00.000+01:00

35 participants from 19 different countries participated in the conference on labour and environment organized by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) - Asia Pacific and Sustainlabour from 26 to 28 November in Jakarta (Indonesia), in an area called to play a key role in the future world order, and, at the same time, particularly vulnerable to climate change. During the meeting trade union representatives showed their interest in learning how to integrate environmental issues into its trade union’s agenda, as well as better understand the causes and effects of climate change and better discern what should understand as "green jobs." In addition, there was time to discuss the way to work on chemical risk and on occupational health.

The participants exchanged their trade unions experiences , from coalitions with environmental groups to sue jointly improvements in environmental protection, projects for the identification of chemicals in the workplace, sustainable construction, renewable energy or agriculture. The seminar also included the experiences of the International Federation of Building on deforestation and a presentation about the role that framework agreements could play in advancing more sustainable policies at enterprise level.

To learn more on the Conference, here you can download some of the contents.

To see the photographs of the conference click here

To see ITUC video on Labour and Environment click here.

Compilation of good practices

2008-12-02T11:36:00.000+01:00

By visiting our website you can access a database which collects good trade union’s practices and successful experiences on environmental and sustainable development. There you can tell us your own experience.

Regional Conference on Labour and Environment: presentations available!

2008-12-01T16:03:00.003+01:00

Sustainlabour gives you the opportunity to donwload all the presentations of Regional Conference on Labour and Environment, that tool place in Jakarta (Indonesia) from 26 to 28 November. All the material on the Sustainlabour’s website clicking here. Interesting presentations and information to learn more about trade unions action on Labour and Environment!

UNEP Regional Consultation for Latin America and the Caribbean

2008-11-26T14:08:00.001+01:00

Sustainlabour was present at the meeting held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 24th and 25th of November 2008.
At the Regional Consultation trade Unions were also represented by the person in charge of international and environmental issues at CGT-RA, who participated in the Climate Change Working Group, while Sustainlabour was part of the Chemicals Working Group.
Trade unions concerns were integrated to the conclusions of the working groups, such as giving
more relevance to just transition issues at the international environmental agenda, and
establishing social and labour criteria as, for example, compliance with ILO standards.

A manual on chemical risk: "Sound and Sustainable Management on chemicals"

2008-11-21T11:33:00.001+01:00

The United Nations Environment Program and the International Labour Foundation for Sustainable Development have worked on the chemical area too. The result, “Sound and Sustainable Management for Chemicals”, a training manual for workers and trade unions that you can download from our website.

UNEP Regional Consultative Meeting for Europe

2008-11-20T13:47:00.001+01:00

Prior to each Global Civil Society Forum and GC/GMEF there specific Civil Society Meetings in
each of the UNEP regions.
Sustainlabour was present for the meeting held in Geneva, 17-18 November 2008 and made an introductory presentation on the Global Civil Society Forum Cycle to all participants present. Sustainlabour also followed the working group on climate change related to the Work Program (2010-2011), and made contributions to three different parts of the European Regional statement to what relates to (i) Globalization and the Environment: Global Crises or National Chaos?; (ii) IEG and UN reform: Help or Hindrance? And the Work Program (2010-2011).

Climate change, a training manual for workers and trade unions

2008-11-20T11:31:00.001+01:00

The training manual on "Climate Change, its Consequences on Employment and Trade Union Action" was developed under the framework of the project "Strengthening trade union participation in international environmental processes" with UNEP.
It can be downloaded from our website .

Regional Conference on Labour and Environment for Asia Pacific

2008-11-18T18:15:00.001+01:00

A Regional Conference on “Labour and the Environment” for Asia Pacific it will take place from 26th to 28th november in Jakarta (Indonesia). The conference will count with the participation of more than 30 trade union organizations of 30 countries approximately.

A good occasion to address a number of issues. To look into the climate change effects in the region and its consequences on employment, to discus on the major environmental, health and labour challenges in the area, to focus on the key elements for a sound and sustainable chemical management. And of course, to present successful Trade Union action on these issues that can be seen as good example to encourage others action.

If you want to see the complete programme of the Regional Conference on Work and Environment for Asia Pacific, please click here .

Poznan COP 14. Climate change training sessions for trade union delegation

2008-11-18T18:11:00.000+01:00

In the context of COP 14, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Sustainlabour is organising some training and debating sessions in Poznan (Poland).

Seminar on climate change and implications for trade union action. The seminar will provide a good space for understanding the last scientific finding, the consequences for development, economics and labour market, the impacts of mitigation and adaptation policies on employment, and to understand how to mainstream equity and just transitions.

Seminar on process and negotiations. Key information on where the negotiations are, the way to Copenhagen, different bloc positions, and building blocks discussions. It aimsto facilitate better comprehension and information of the difficult process of international negotiations on climate change. As well, as proving a room for discussion on major challenges and potentials for action.

Interesting to follow up! A global programme on Labour and the Environment

2008-11-18T18:04:00.001+01:00

Sustainlabour jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is running a biannual programme on “Labour and the Environment”. It was initiated a few months ago in April 2007, and it will go up to June 2009. This is the first programme of such a kind, which aims at improving engagement of workers and trade unions in the development and implementation of environmental policies. Now more than ever, workers involvement in a new and more sustainable development is needed.

This programme addresses two working areas -Climate change and Sound and Sustainable Management of Chemicals- and it has three main objectives: increasing awareness of environmental issues among workers and trade unions; increasing capacities of workers and trade unions to develop actions and projects with an environmental dimension at the workplaces and increasing participation of workers and trade unions in international environmental meetings.

The programme is funded by the Government of Spain.

The project develops activities in four regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. What are the main actions? Activities will focus on public awareness, capacity building and implementation of key projects based on already existing good and successful trade union experiences.

This programme aims also at reinforcing dialogue with other civil society groups to build partnerships and synergies to address better environmental challenges and eradicating poverty.

Urging and shaping a different development! Socially fair, environmentally friendly

Trade Unions' projects on climate change and chemical risk

2008-11-11T11:30:00.000+01:00

Sustainlabour has identified more than 133 Trade Union’s experiences throughout the world related on the promotion of environmental issues. Who said that labour and environment are at odds?
Out of all these experiences, four of them have been used as the basis to develop concrete projects in other countries. Learning from good examples!

Preparing for ICCM2 in Rome

2008-10-26T14:27:00.001+01:00

Meeting of the Open-ended Legal and Technical Working Group (OELTWG) of the Strategic
Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM) and Informal Discussions.

Adopted by the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM) on 6 February
2006 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a policy framework to foster the sound management of chemicals whose overarching objective is “to achieve a sound management of chemicals throughout their life-cycle so that, by 2020, chemicals are used and produced in ways that lead to minimization of significant adverse effects on human health and the environment”.
The second ICCM2 takes place in Geneva, from 11 to 15 May 2009. In the meantime it was agreed to have an “open-ended legal and technical working group”, which would meet a few months prior to the second session to advance on the rules of procedure.
This meeting took place in Rome in October 21 to 24 October 2008. Sustainlabour participated as part of the Trade Union Delegation. At the OELTWG, two working groups were established for two agenda issues (i) the decision making, and (ii) the composition of the bureau and the subsidiary bodies.
The results of the meeting were unfortunately less ambitious than needed. Decision making and the composition of the bureau became two unresolved pitfalls, which might compromise the outcomes of the ICCM2.

Intergovernemental Forum on Chemical Safety

2008-09-22T14:19:00.004+02:00

Sustainlabour participated as part of the Trade Union Delegation at the Forum VI of the IFCS.
The theme of these forums was “Global Partnerships for Chemical Safety– Contributing to the 2020 Goal”.
This forum is unique not only for integrating different dimensions or problems caused by chemical substances, such as public health, occupational health, environment, but also for its way of working which allows the active participation of any interested party in equal conditions and its decision making process by consensus. Despite their decisions are not binding, it has served to place in the international agenda problems caused by management of dangerous chemicals and initiate political processes in order to reduce the exposition to hazardous substances at a global level.

Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies is a subject growing importance and concerns within Trade Unions as hundreds of nanotechnology applications are already in commercial production despite a huge health and safety lack of information of the potential hazards.

Trade Unions at the UN Convention on Climate Change

2008-07-01T17:49:00.000+02:00

Four meetings were held in Bonn from 2-13 June, that were linked to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change: AWG-KP-5 (Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex 1 Parties / Kyoto Protocol); AWG-LCA-2 (Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the UNFCCC); SBSTA-28 (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice); and SBI-28 (Subsidiary Body for Implementation).

Trade unions participated as observers, speaking in the plenary sessions of the SBSTA and AWG-LCA-2. A meeting was also held with the Executive Director in which trade unionists expounded the need for a “fair transition”. One important outcome of the AWG-LCA meeting was the official call for trade organizations to make concrete proposals concerning the Bali Action Plan and other specific issues. The discussions and conclusions of these meetings showed interesting opportunities for trade unions to reinforce the inclusion of social and labour dimensions at future meetings as well as in the international negotiation process on climate change.

Training of Trainers on Climate Change and Sound Management of Chemicals

2008-05-30T17:30:00.001+02:00

The seminar, held in Geneva from 26th to 30th May, was the first activity under the Sustainlabour- UNEP program. We had participants from Trade Unions from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The Seminar addressed the following purposes:

1. Establishing a working group for the region, who could provide input to subsequent activities and disseminate knowledge to unions of the region.
2. Providing this "working group" with the necessary technical knowledge on issues.
3. Giving the opportunity to representatives from different regions to get to know each other and exchange experiences.
4. Brief on the following activities of the program. This will help to prepare the regional conferences to be hold bwtween 2008 and 2009.

Download presentations on the list below

Session 2: Labour and the Environment
El papel del sindicalismo como actor del desarrollo sostenible, by Joaquin Nieto, Sustainlabour (Spanish only)

Session 3: Climate change mitigation and adaptation, consequences on employment, trade union action
Introduction to Climate Change, by Joaquin Nieto, Sustainlabour
Climate Change and Employment, by Anabella Rosemberg (ITUC)
ITUC Papers on Trade Union Action on Energy, Transportation, Building/Construction and Agriculture
Mitigation of climate change and its relation to employment (in Spanish), Ana Belen Sanchez -CC-OO (Spanish)
Trade Union Action on Climate Change, by Laura Martin Maurillo (Sustainlabour)

Session 4: Sound and sustainable management of chemicals
Introduction to Chemicals Management, by Judith Garcia Carreras (Sustainlabour)
Uso Seguro de Químicos en los Puestos de Trabajo, by Carmen Mancheno, CCOO (Spanish only)
Use of Chemicals in the Workplace – Exposure Reduction Strategies, by Yahya Msangi (Tanzania Plantation Agriculture Workers Union)
Effects of Human Health and Environment by Peter Orris (Occupational Health Service Institute – University of Illinois)
Stakeholder Involvement - Global Chemical Agenda - Evolution andChallenges, by Kaj Madsen (UNEP DTIE Chemicals)
Overview of the Strategic Approach to International Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) , by Hamoudi Shubber (UNEP DTIE Chemicals)

Session 5: Presentation by UNEP DTIE Energy Branch
Energy and Climate change: UNEP and Trade Unions’Role, by Emanuela Menichetti

Session 6: Presentation on Green Jobs
Sustainable Development and Green Jobs: an overview, by Peter Poschen (ILO)

Asia Pacific Regional Conference

2008-04-03T13:18:00.002+02:00

The International Trade Union Confederation – Asia Pacific (ITUC-Asia Pacific) organized the First Regional Conference on Environmental Protection, Sustainable Development and Employment.
This first round of United Nations climate change talks got underway in Bangkok at the end of March, with the tough but successful negotiations in Bali still fresh in everyone’s memory. Parties had agreed at Bali to jointly step up international efforts to combat climate change and get to an agreed outcome in Copenhagen in 2009.

Sustainlabour participated in the Conference, held on 25 and 26 March 2008, which counted with the participation of 41 trade unionists from 18 countries from the region.

More information here.

UNEP 9th Global Civil Society Forum (GCSF – 9)

2008-03-06T13:36:00.001+01:00

The Ninth Session of the Global Civil Society Forum has been held from 19-22 February 2008. The objective of this meeting is to provide a platform for exchange and consultation on key environmental issue between Major Groups and Civil Society Organization to better address and participate at the UNEP Governing Council.
We welcome the election of Lucien Royer as Chair of the Major Groups Facilitating Committee of the Global Civil Society Forum. Sustainlabour also participated as part of the Facilitating Committee.

More information here.

Click here to download the final report.

Climate change training session for the trade union delegation

2007-12-21T11:50:00.000+01:00

Sustainlabour and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) organised a training session on climate change, looking at effects on employment and climate change negotiation.
This session aimed at facilitating new Trade Union delegates with better comprehension of an increasingly difficult process of international negotiations on climate change. The seminar was widely attended, and it provided a good space for debating.

For the complete program.

Going out of Bali with an agreement weak in objectives, but strong in process

2007-12-16T15:46:00.003+01:00

Sustainlabour was present at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 3 to 14 December 2007 in Bali. (COP 13)

Jointly with different Trade Unions Sustainlabour organized a number of working seminars on adaptation, public transport, amongst others.

A look at the results of the meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC):

Governments at the Convention on Climate Change have come to a weak document in terms greenhouse gas emission reduction objectives, but have managed to agree on a “Road Map” that will be the basis of future negotiation on climate change.

Governments have recognised the urgency of action on climate change, and declared to have made important concessions. However, the political response risks of not being ambitious enough to respond to what scientists have raised, and so to timely cope with the huge tasks ahead.

Last negotiation round ended with the acceptance from the US to take the G77 and China demands on measurable, reportable and verifiable aid for technology and capacity building. This last round left the US visibly alone and finally recognized what has been the main demand from developing countries: the need for a real transfer of technology.

To read more on this click here.

Soon available: training guides for workers

2007-10-08T11:29:00.000+02:00

Sustainlabour and UNEP have just started a two-year programme on Labour and the Environment for Africa, Asia and Latin America. One of the first actions is the elaboration of a training guide on climate change in which you will find information on climate change and its impacts, effects on employment and trade union actions on climate change. More information soon.

Getting ready for meeting Bali on Climate Change!

2007-10-05T14:59:00.000+02:00

We are preparing for the next Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 3 to 14 December 2007 in Bali, Indonesia.

Preparation meeting in Geneva for the 9th session of the GCSF

2007-10-01T13:57:00.000+02:00

Sustainlabour was present when the representatives of mayor groups of civil society met in Geneva in preparation for the 9^th session of the UNEP Global Civil Society Forum (GCSF).

The European Regional Consultation meeting provided a platform for civil society participation in and contribution to the preparations for the 10^th Special session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum to be held in the Principality of Monaco, from 20 to 22 February 2008.

Welcome to the Labour and Environment blog!

2007-09-01T10:54:00.001+02:00

Since 2007 Sustainlabour and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have been running a three-year programme on “Labour and the Environment” and here you will find information on the programme’s activities.

The programme addresses two working areas: Climate change and Sound and Sustainable Management of Chemicals and has three main objectives:
- Increase awareness of environmental issues among workers and trade unions.
- Improve capacities of workers and trade unions to develop actions and projects with an environmental dimension at the workplaces.
- Increase participation of workers and trade unions in international environmental meetings.

The first of its kind, the programme also aims at reinforcing dialogue between trade unions and other civil society groups and actors to build partnerships and synergies in order to better address environmental challenges.

The programme activities will be carried out in three target regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean, and will focus on public awareness, capacity building and the promotion and extension of good trade union experiences.

This blog has been especially created to raise awareness of the programme’s working areas and to increase the visibility of its activities. Here, we publish information related to the programme, the latest activities and news of interest.

We want this to be a dynamic space where people can be informed of up-coming events, post comments and engage in discussions about the programme.

Please contribute towards these goals. Make yourself heard!