ITUC Response to US Announcement on Paris Agreement

ITUC Response to US Announcement on Paris Agreement

Brussels, 2 June 2017 (ITUC OnLine): Following the announcement by the President Trump that the US would withdraw from fulfilling its international obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement, the international trade union movement has expressed its concerns for the impacts delayed climate action in the US will have on working people there and across the globe.

"The decision of the Trump administration to withdraw from the Paris Agreement sets back united action on climate and risks jobs, said Sharan Burrow, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.

The clear commitment by governments in the Paris Agreement to give workers, including those depending on the fossil fuel economy, a key role in developing a Just Transition strategy, will be undermined by the US announcement, which will also inhibit industrial and economic transformation in the US.

"Investment in climate action is an imperative to secure jobs and a sustainable future. The ITUC Global Poll this year reveals that 85 percent of the world’s people say the world would be a better place if their government were more committed to action on climate change, added Burrow."

Richard Trumka, President of the ITUC’s US affiliate AFL-CIO, said "Pulling out of the Paris climate agreement is a decision to abandon a cleaner future powered by good jobs. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has given dangerous advice around these issues. Following Pruitt’s lead is a failure of American leadership.

A deteriorating environment is not the only thing at stake here. When our leaders isolate America from the rest of the world, it hurts our ability to raise incomes for working families and achieve fairness in the global economy. The U.S. labor movement will continue to urge the United States to stay in the agreement so we can achieve the best outcomes for America’s workers".
The ITUC represents 181 million workers in 163 countries and territories and has 340 national affiliates.

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