Join us at this ONLINE event to discuss how the changing climate is affecting our workplaces. We will explore what we can do as trade unionists to ensure employers are considering the impact of climate change and putting in place measures to protect workers health and safety. This event will include workshops to explore key questions for trade unionists:
· What are employers doing to adapt to the changing weather risks from climate change?
· Do some members think we don’t need to spend time on this when there are other pressing priorities ?
· Do members see climate change as a health and safety issue?
· Are members already experiencing weather-related risks and disruption and, if so, how is this affecting them?
The event will feature guest speakers including:
· Catherine Payne, Sniffer – insights from the pioneering Adaptation Scotland/UNISON Scotland project exploring climate risks and building climate resilience in the workplace from a trade union perspective
· Graham Petersen, Greener Jobs Alliance –what are the climate risks facing workers in Wales and how trade unionists can campaign for better recognition of climate risk and adaptation
· Welsh Government speaker tbc – Wales’ adaptation plan and policies and how these relate to the workplace
There will be an opportunity for group discussions, networking and for Q&A and discussion with the panel.
What is climate change ‘adaptation’ and why is it a trade union issue?
Often, when thinking about how to respond to climate change most people think first about ‘mitigation’ measures. These are actions that are focussed on cutting emissions to prevent further warming of the climate. Mitigation measures are urgently needed, but they are only one side of the climate action coin.
Because of the impact of current and historic emissions, our climate has already warmed. And further increases are inevitable as there is a lag until the impact of these ‘locked-in’ emissions takes full effect. We are already seeing some impact now with more extreme weather events - such as Storm Dennis in 2020 and this summer’s record heatwave. But worse is to come, with average temperatures and the frequency of extreme weather events both set to increase.
So, as well as cutting emissions, we also urgently need to think about coping with the coming changes to our climate. Actions to help prepare for and cope with the impact of climate change are known as climate change ‘adaptation’ measures. It is the other side of the climate action coin and it is just as important as cutting emissions.
But currently, many of our workplaces and working practices are ill-prepared when it comes to climate adaptation. They have simply not been designed to cope with these new conditions and the frequent disruption, negative impacts on health, safety and wellbeing and productivity that they bring. Employers need to recognise these risks and put in place measures to protect workers’ health and safety. Action is needed now to ensure workplaces and working practices protect workers safety and are future-proofed.
Who is this event for?
This event will be of particular interest to green/environmental reps and health and safety reps, but will also be relevant for full time officers, branch officials, shop stewards and other reps. All trade union reps and officers are welcome. Please share widely with TU colleagues.
About the Greener Workplaces Network
This event is being held as part of the Wales TUC’s Greener Workplaces Network . This is a new network that has been set up to support trade union reps who want to promote greener workplaces and sustainability. Join us for this friendly and supportive network which is open to all reps and activists, including green reps, health and safety reps, union reps, union learning reps and any other reps with an interest in the topic.
If you care about the future-proofing your work for a greener and fairer future, you should not miss this network.
The group will meet online approximately every other month. Each meeting will feature guest speakers to explore different topics, provide an opportunity for reps to network and share good practice and include an update from the Wales TUC.
The network is co- facilitated by John James, Trade Union Studies Coordinator at Coleg Gwent and Stanley Ho from the Wales TUC.
Please join us for this event and if you have any ideas for topics or speakers for future meetings, please email swaihongho@tuc.org.uk with your suggestions.
If you’d like more ideas and information about what unions are doing to create greener workplaces, download our new Greener Workplaces for a Just Transition toolkit. You can also visit our campaign page where you’ll find campaign videos and more information.
Code of conduct
The TUC is committed to organising activities at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. The TUC has zero tolerance for any type of harassment, including sexual harassment. Aggressive, offensive, intimidatory, disrespectful or unacceptable behaviour or comments will not be tolerated. This supports the commitment set out in the TUC’s rules to promote equality for all and to eliminate all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination. This policy applies to all aspects of communication at or in connection with an event, including postings on social media. If you have any concerns about behaviour that you want to raise then please contact us by email wtuc@tuc.org.uk
Closed captions will be provided at this online event. If you have any other access needs we need to be aware of, please contact us at swaihongho@tuc.org.uk or let us know on your registration form.
