Progress on Climate and Just Transition in Cancun

Brussels/Cancun, 12 December 2010 (ITUC OnLine): Trade unions have
welcomed the final agreement reached at the UN climate conference in
Cancun, one that includes trade union demands for a just transition,
while calling on all governments - particularly the most developed - to
raise their sights by the time of the next meeting in Durban, South
Africa in one year's time.

"In particular, we want developed countries to commit to ambitious
emission reductions under a legally binding framework. Climate finance
needs to respond to the needs of the poorest of the world," said ITUC
General Secretary Sharan Burrow. "Millions of workers and their families
face destruction of their lands and livelihoods from extreme weather
events and some 220 million are unemployed and desperate for a secure,
decent and green job."

Trade unions particularly welcome the references in the text to Just
Transition which creates decent work and good quality jobs, a crucial
concept for building workers' support for climate action.

"At the same time, governments must raise the level of ambition,"
concluded Sharan Burrow. "They must return to the negotiating table as
soon as possible, and rectify the imbalances and omissions following
Cancun. Durban must be the destination for serious climate action with a
fair ambitious and binding agreement, and a commitment to just
transition must sit at the heart of this."

ENDS

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