Climate Change

Shifting Union Policy

Taking the Climate Change debate to Members and

Industry

OverviewChallenges facing mining

What has union done?

Communications objectivesBring miners and power workers with union - guard against scare campaigns

Articulate independent voice for workers

Building credibility - internal and external markets

What works in our demographic?

Conclusions

Challenges facing CFMEU

We’re killing the planet!...discuss options

Industry image already poor

Workers out of sight, out of mind

Fertile ground for skepticism

What has the Union done?1990-1996 represented

ACTU various tripartite working groups 1992 Union at Rio

conference1997 Union at Kyoto -

support for Kyoto2001 wrote ICEM CC policy 2007 led ITUC delegation

in Bali - 170 million workers 2008 Chair ACTU

Environment Group2008 Poznan2009 Copenhagen

More evidence of Climate change

Gore, Stern & IPCCNew mines become

controversialMiners demonised

2006 - explosion of public awareness

Ratify Kyoto Emissions tradingIncreased MRETInvestment in low

emission coal powerDemand mgt programsAction in transport,

agriculture etcShareholder activity

$100KHuge member support

2006 CFMEU Policy

Lobby ALP to adopt policyShareholder campaign$1M ad campaign to protect against scare campaignBuild relations with enviro groups - Al Gore trainingEnsure member supportUNFCCC involvement

2007 Climate Change Campaign

Post 2007 Member Survey

Climate Change93% support union taking positionMost want environment and jobsHalf felt victimised by anti coal groups73% saw union TV adsHalf discussed TV ads at work83% supported TV ads

2008 Alliances

CCS Alliance - accelerate CCS technology• Aust Coal Assoc• World Wildlife Fund• The Climate Institute•CFMEU

Southern Cross Climate Coalition - social justice, green jobs and renewables•Aust Conservation Foundation•The Climate Institute•Aust Council of Social Services•ACTU

The Energy Debatesuch as it is

“Mine’s better than yours!”

“CCS/geothermal/solar thermal/tidal power will never work!”

“Uranium is the only answer”

“Renewables can’t deliver baseload”

There is a similar debate about different forms of sequestration

The truth is we need them all

Manufacturing conundrum

By 2050, world will use more aluminium, steel, cement, timber products, plastics and chemicals - not less - and more transport and energy

when all countries have a carbon price, the location of industry is unaffected – until then carbon leakage/job loss can occur

unions support range of measures to get through next decade while global deal implemented

ETS amendments

industry /tax policy/border adjustments - competitiveness

sectoral agreements

world has to have more products, commodities, energy and transport with less emissions

Communication challenges for unions

•Garnaut

•Green paper

•EITE

•Generators

•Sectors

•Environment Groups

1. It’s all so bloody complex

2. Maintaining independence3. Scare campaigns

Stuff that works

Independence!! Involvement at early

stages critical Mandates essential Personally front meetings Stay ahead of game - no

surprises

the message that works Technology and investment created the old economy Technology and investment will drive the new economy New industries will be sponsored for rapid growth Most existing industries will be modified Many of the new jobs are the old jobs Genuinely new jobs must be decent jobs

Unions have been active on climate change for a long time

Engagement with environment groups ,business and unions is critical for government

Our message has been that all industries should take responsibility and we need all technologies

Debate should be about how we grow, not whether we grow

Polling consistently shows vast support for this position

Community acceptance possible if properly led by government and stakeholders - should be bipartisan

Unions have a key role in generating community acceptance

Conclusion