A TUC conference on solutions to the energy, climate and economic crises

Both our economy and our planet are in crisis.

Bills and sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate. Nationally, the cost-of-living scandal is driving absolute poverty and forcing millions into increasingly desperate conditions. Globally, climate change is threatening the lives and livelihoods of billions of workers. These crises are parallel and inter-linked.

We urgently need a politics that builds a safe climate for future generations, a rapid and just transition with quality jobs, and an economy that rewards work, not wealth. The TUC is convening a conference: two events, one in person and one online, that will coincide with COP 27 and bring trade union and climate activists together to gather solutions.

How do we combine our struggles for an equitable cost of living, workers’ rights and a just transition to climate safety?

(pdf download)

09:30–10:50

1. How do we communicate an ambitious vision for climate action that is socially just?

Speakers

• Rachel Wolf | founding partner, Public First
• Fatima Ibrahim | deputy chief executive, Renewables UK
• Matthew Butcher | director of communications hub, New Economy Organisers’ Network
• Roger Harding | director of a new venture about class and climate
• Antonia Bance | head of campaigns and communications, TUC

Break 

11:00–12:20

2. Future-proofing high-carbon jobs

Speakers

• Kate Dearden | head of policy, Community
• Bhavina Bharkada | director of communications, Make UK
• Anna Markova | policy officer for industry and climate, TUC
• Ben Norman | research officer, metals and automotive, Unite
• Paul Nowak | general secretary designate, TUC

Lunch

13:15–14:30

3. Climate, energy and inequality: interlinked solutions

Speakers

• Shirley Rodrigues | deputy mayor of London
• Chris Morris | deputy head of research and policy, Usdaw
• Michelle Singleton | policy officer, UNISON
• Fatima Ibrahim | co-executive director, Green New Deal Rising
• Nina Reece | policy and campaigns support officer, TUC

Break

14:45–16:15

4. Green jobs must be quality jobs

Speakers

• Sue Ferns | assistant general secretary, Prospect
• Melanie Onn | deputy chief executive, Renewables UK
• Andy Prendergast | national secretary, GMB
• Jonathan Reynolds MP | shadow secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy
• Chaitanya Kumar | head of environment and green transition, New Economics Foundation
• Kate Bell | head of rights, international, social and economics, TUC

Break 

16:30–17:45

5. Public ownership of energy – for a safe climate

Speakers:

• Frances O’Grady | general secretary, TUC
• Simon Coop | national officer for energy, Unite
• Cat Hobbs | founder and director, We Own It
• Mika Minio | policy officer for industry and climate, TUC