section 2 understanding climate change

Part 2: Setting the Context for union involvement 10.06.2014 Section 2: Understanding Climate Change

1 Section 2.1 Understanding Climate Change

Section 2 Understanding Climate Change Climate change is one of the most urgent environmental challenges facing the world today. Failure to prevent this is already has a negative impact on society, the economy, employment and the environment. In many countries poverty is increasing as livelihoods are destroyed. Climate change impacts on human rights such as water supplies, particularly in water stressed countries; food prices rise as crops are destroyed or become difficult to grow; heat stress and new health problems arise with an increase in diseases. All these issues affect workers, their families and communities with women taking the major share of the burden. The union’s role Union’s have a vital role to play in influencing the transformation that is needed to prevent global warming. They play a major role in negotiating fair and just solutions to problems in society; including workplace issues such as health and safety that also impact on the environment. Today union’s around the world are becoming more and more active in climate change issues, developing policy and influencing fair and equitable solutions for workers and society. Traditional industrial practices are a large contributor to climate change and union’s, as workers representatives, are at the cutting edge of transformation. Unions are constituents of the ILO and through their democratic structures are well placed to influence negotiations at the international, national, sector and workplace levels. The language of climate change can be complex and alienating, preventing people from understanding the issue and getting involved; unions can and do play a major role in de- mystifying this language for workers and communities. The term “climate change” describes the rise in average global temperatures and long-term shift in weather patterns due to human activities, namely the release of various greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Rising temperatures associated with climate change are linked to extreme weather events such as:

Droughts, floods, storms and heat waves,

Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, warming and acidic oceans.



Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Understanding greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the role they play in warming the earth and changing weather patterns can support unions to effectively contribute to the political decisions that need to be made on climate change action. Climate change is mainly driven by the “greenhouse effect, (see figure ?) which has natural and human causes; the larger impact of human activities is now widely recognised and supported by scientific evidence. The greenhouse effect is briefly explained as follows:

The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of a range of different gases that serve to regulate the planet’s temperature, providing the necessary conditions for life to exist.

Excess greenhouse gas emissions remain trapped in the atmosphere. The Sun’s heat is prevented from fully reflecting back into space,

heating the Earth and bringing changes to the climate and weather. Since the Industrial Revolution, human-related greenhouse gas emissions have steadily increased due to the world's increasing use of fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum; which add carbon dioxide (CO2) and other heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. Land use changes such as deforestation eliminate the ability of forests and plants to store and absorb greenhouse gases also contribute to the release of these emissions.

Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html There are multiple types of greenhouse gases, those mostly relevant to the process of climate change are carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane, Nitrous oxide, fluorinated gases and ozone. (see Figure ?)



Greenhouse gases*: Sources and Relative Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Source: IPCC (2007) “Fourth Assessment Report”

Increasing energy and resource demands are leading to a growing accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing a rise in global temperatures, which in turn creates changes in the climate.

Weather refers to the day-to-day changes in temperature, precipitation and sunshine at a specific time and place. Climate refers to repeated weather patterns observed over a long period of time, or the analysis of average weather conditions on a seasonal and regional basis.

1.1.1.1.1 Climate change refers to long-term, general shifts in weather

patterns, including temperature, precipitation and winds that

can be observed over an extended period of time.

Current statistics reveal that the warming of the climate has accelerated dramatically over the last half century, especially within the last decade:



The rate of warming averaged over the last 50 years (0.13°C ± 0.03°C per decade) is nearly twice that for the last 100 years. http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/spmsspm-direct-observations.html

According to the US National Climatic Data Center, 2005 and 2010 were the warmest years since 1880; of all the warmest years on record, nine have occurred in the last decade. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2013/13

Global average temperatures have been documented to be 0.8 degrees higher than before the onset of the industrial revolution (ILO, 2013).

2013 was the 37th consecutive year that global average temperatures were hotter than average (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2013/13

).

The Process

Fossil fuels are extracted, trees are cut down and cleared land is used in agricultural or industrial activities.

Fossil fuels are used to produce energy and manufacture a range of products and services for human consumption.

Various human activities powered by fossil fuels release GHGs into the atmosphere in different ratios.

GHG traps the heat / energy from the Sun, leading to additional warming of the atmosphere beyond normal levels.

Excess GHGs in the atmosphere lead to an increase in average Earth temperatures which leads to changes in climate and weather patterns.

GHGs also form naturally keeping the earth warm enough for human beings to live there; without GHG the earth would be too cold for human life. Human activity has upset this balance by creating an excess of GHG. Nature automatically recycles carbon through its own ‘carbon cycle’ process using things from the natural environment, like trees and the ocean (known as carbon sinks) to absorb carbon and prevent too much GHG from collecting in the atmosphere. The natural cycle of a carbon sink is slow and human actions have created so much excess GHG that the sinks cannot keep up with it; excess GHG in the atmosphere could remain there for centuries.

http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/spmsspm-direct-observations.html

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2013/13

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/sotc/global/2013/13



There is substantial evidence showing the high improbability of natural causes being responsible for the rapid rate of planetary warming since the mid-20th century. Natural and Human Causes of Climate Change

Source: IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007. There is now widespread consensus among scientists that greenhouse gas emissions have increased by more than 70 per cent between 1970 and 2005. Recent research shows these gases continue to rise each year at an increasing rate: latest estimates indicate that global emissions grew by 2.3 per cent in 2013 alone. (http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org/?q=en/content/welcome-carbon-atlas)

Source: http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/

http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org/?q=en/content/welcome-carbon-atlas

http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org/?q=en/content/welcome-carbon-atlas



Similarly, as shown in the graph above, a range of studies examining the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have charted a continual rise in detected levels of carbon dioxide (measured according to parts per million by volume, or ppv). Most climate scientists agree that in order to avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere should remain at roughly 350 parts per million by volume. Currently, the global average stands at about 390 parts per million and continues to grow unabated. (http://co2now.org/) Greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for an extended period of time. Long-lived greenhouse gases, including for example, CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are chemically stable and persist in the atmosphere over time scales ranging from a decade to centuries or longer. In effect, this means that even if the world were to stop emitting greenhouse gases today, the Earth's atmosphere would take more than a hundred years to stabilise before global temperatures would level off and stop rising. (http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg1/008.htm) It is now agreed that GHGs are rising too quickly and can remain in the atmosphere for decades and centuries. Scientists have worked out a figure for the levels, that if exceeded will be impossible to control. There is now sufficient evidence to show that if the global economy continues to proceed with ‘Business As Usual’ climate change will have a devastating and irreversible impact on the planet. There will be widespread and irreversible consequences, including the possible rise of sea levels by as much as seven meters, as a result of the melting of the ice sheet covering Greenland. (http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/) The Consequences Acidification of the oceans due to higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere, biodiversity losses, altered weather patterns and the multiplication of extreme weather events, such as floods, storms and droughts. In Asia the regions physical geography, environment and resources are acutely vulnerable to climate change and the political consequences include:

Reduced freshwater availability; Greater frequency and intensity of tropical storms; Rising sea levels; Increased flooding; Higher risk of drought; Lowered agricultural yields; and Higher incidence of tropical and heat-related diseases.

http://co2now.org/

http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg1/008.htm

http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/



There is broad scientific consensus that in order to avoid such a catastrophic scenario, global carbon emissions must be cut by anywhere between 40 to 70 per cent by 2050 from 2010 levels. (http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/) This may sound like an extended period of time, but in fact the longer it takes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change, the higher emission cuts will need to be in the future. In the interim, human societies face major and potentially catastrophic risks.

Discussion Point

‘There is a strong argument to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by stopping the extraction and use of fossil fuels as energy sources and develop renewable energy sources. Using fossil fuels made the industrial revolution possible and supports the life style some parts of the world enjoy today. It is now increasingly evident that this type of development is no longer sustainable and that the developing world will pay a higher price than the developed world How to combat global warming and climate change is contested

Discuss how your union policy reflects this situation

Identify what GHGs your representative sector produces and the impact they have on climate change

Discuss how the union can become involved in the wider debate and the position that they should take

Climate Change Impacts: All economic sectors will in some way or another be affected by climate change. Some are more vulnerable than others in the short term and some are already experiencing the impacts. Loss of jobs and income security will have a serious impact on workers increasing poverty and vulnerability; especially for workers in the informal economy.

In Asia, glacier melt in the Himalayas is projected to increase flooding and rock avalanches

and to affect water resources within two to three decades. Climate change will also decrease

freshwater availability in large river basins. This, along with population growth and increasing

demand due to higher standards of living, could adversely affect more than a billion people by

2050

Coastal areas, especially heavily-populated mega-delta regions, will be at greatest risk due to

increased flooding from seas and rivers. It is projected that crop yields could increase up to

20% in East and Southeast Asia while they could decrease up to 30% in Central and South

Asia by the mid-21st century. Endemic morbidity and mortality due to diarrhoea are projected

to rise. Increases in coastal water temperature would exacerbate the abundance and/or

toxicity of cholera in South Asia.

Climate Change its Consequences on employment and trade union action. A Training Manual for Workers and Trade Unions. Sustainlabour. UNEP 2011

http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/



The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified what and can increase vulnerability:

Coasts or low-lying areas. As many as 650 million people may be living and working in places that are at risk of regular flooding by the next century. (http://www.climatecentral.org/news/new-analysis-global-exposure-to-sea-level-rise-flooding-18066)

Areas liable to increased risk of coastal storms, flooding and sea water surges.

The use of climate-sensitive inputs for production, in sectors such as agriculture, food processing and energy

A reliance on secure infrastructure in regions vulnerable to extreme weather events.

Effects of Climate Change on the Environment, Human Beings and

Production

Source: IPCC, 2007

“The costs and benefits of climate change for industry, settlements and society will vary widely by location and scale. In the aggregate, however, net effects will tend to be more negative the larger the change in climate”. http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/spmsspm-c-5-industry-settlement.html

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/new-analysis-global-exposure-to-sea-level-rise-flooding-18066

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/new-analysis-global-exposure-to-sea-level-rise-flooding-18066

http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg2/en/spmsspm-c-5-industry-settlement.html



Major changes are needed to deal with these impacts and will have implications for employment, incomes and poverty. Making it more difficult to reduce the high levels of poverty in the world. There will be adjustments, costs and opportunities at workplace, national, sector and international levels in order to make the transition to a low carbon, low GHG economy. This will be a major task for governments and industries and unions must be involved as worker representatives. Vulnerable groups will be a priority needing support and assistance to adapt to climate change impact in order to reduce the level of risks they will be exposed to. It is vital that the people affected have their own representatives in discussions and decision making at all levels and that trade unions are able to represent workers. Schematic Framework of Climate Change Drivers, Effects and Responses

Source: IPCC Synthesis Report, 2007

This type of extensive change must be managed in a fair and equitable way and mitigation and adaptation policies and practices must be designed and implementd to reflect the views of workers, business and government at all levels. The ITUC has developed a process called the ‘Just Transition’ to protect workers and communities from exploitation (see Part 2 Section 2.2)



Solutions and Strategies

Climate Mitigation Climate mitigation describes the preventive measures that can be used to reduce of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Mitigation policies Include:

Standards and regulations targeting greenhouse gases

Market strategies, such as carbon taxes and emissions trading programmes

Other instruments aimed to slow climate change are being developed and implemented by a number of countries.

Some of these have had a positive impact in lowering emissions,but none have been able to lower them sufficiently to deal with the global threat of climate change.

The 2014 IPCC Working Group Report 111 ”Mitigating Climate Change’ states that ‘GHG emissions have continued to grow and reached 49.5 billion tonnes (gigatonnes or Gt) of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2eq) in the year 2010, higher than any level prior to that date, with an uncertainty estimate at ±10% for the 90% confidence interval’. http://report.mitigation2014.org/drafts/final-draft-postplenary/ipcc_wg3_ar5_final-draft_postplenary_chapter1.pdf

This report recognises that there is no single solution to mitigating climate change but deep cuts in emissions are needed. So it is important to make use of a range of policies, institutions and technologies, as well as encouraging behavioural changes to unsustainable consumption patterns. Policy coherence at the international, regional and national level on these issues will be increasingly important in order to effectively coordinate the different responses. Climate change mitigation is urgently required in the energy, industry, and transport sectors, as well as building and construction, agriculture, land use change and waste. (Strategies are covered in more detail in Part 3 S3 ‘Unions at the Sector Level’& Part 2 S1 ‘Environmental challenges & Industrialisation’).



Potential mitigation options in each sector are listed as follows:

Energy: o Imposing penalties on pollution, and setting incentives for energy

efficiency and renewable energy production. o Carrying out information campaigns on the importance of energy

efficient practices and equipment in reducing the carbon footprint.

Industry: o Improving energy and materials efficiency, and encouraging recycling

practices. o Utilising environmental and climate technologies that reduce

greenhouse gas emissions.

Transport: o Promoting the use of hybrid vehicles, public transit and non-

motorised vehicles. o Retrofitting engines for improved fuel efficiency.

Buildings and construction: o Encouraging building codes that set standards for energy and

materials efficiency. o Supporting the replacement of individual building components, such

as heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, for more efficient alternatives.

Agriculture: o Expanding organic growing methods. o Promoting reforestation, afforestation and agroforestry projects.

Land use:

o Preventing deforestation. o Advancing improved soil conservation practices.

Waste management:

o Establishing minimum reuse and recycling requirements.



o Advocating take-back programmes for recyclable goods and products.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions According to Economic Sector

Note: The inner circle shows direct GHG emission shares (% of total human-related GHG emissions) of five different economic sectors during 2010. The pull-out to the right shows how indirect CO2 emission shares from electricity and heat production are attributed to sectors of final energy use. *AFOLU= Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use Source: IPCC WGIII Report, 2014



General Requirements for Mitigation Mitigation strategies need to be consistent with development strategies that are based on fairness and equality. Risk assessments, research and assessing potential social benefits and impacts on employment, poverty that include women and local communities in decision making processes are integral to ensuring that mitigation measures are successful. The Government has an essential role to play in supporting mitigation strategies:

Establishing legally binding targets for reducing carbon emissions; Passing laws and regulations to develop and enforce mitigation

measures; Developing, researching and investing in the technology needed to

shift to low carbon or renewable energies like wind, water or solar power;

Introducing taxation and subsidy schemes, especially with regard to energy and carbon-intensive industries and sectors;

Ensuring business changes production processes to use less energy and natural resources;

Providing investment to improve the efficiency of motor vehicles and supporting efficient and affordable public transport;

Promoting a green economy with decent green jobs (see Part 2 S2.3

‘Green Jobs in a Just Transition’);

Supporting integrated approaches in the waste and recycling sector, such as resource recovery and composting;

Providing incentives to Improve the environmental efficiency of building insulation and materials; and

Supporting appropriate education and training qualification systems to assist workers in the transition to new jobs and occupations associated with the green economy.

Developing countries can seek funding to carry out research and analysis to determine the type of mitigation strategy that is suitable for their situation. Plans and budgets can then be prepared and submitted to the Global Climate Fund (GCF) of the UNFCCC for funding (see below).



Enterprise level actions might include:

Demand for recognition for workplace environmental representatives; Training and participation in enterprise energy management, such as

energy auditing; Promotion of energy saving measures such as improving lighting,

refrigeration, heating and thermal insulation; Training in the use of new more efficient equipment and systems; Promoting the use of renewable energy inside the enterprise; Participating in sustainable purchasing policies; Encouraging the use of sustainable mobility plans, such as workplace

incentives for use of public transportation, car-sharing, etc.; Negotiating adjustments in work schedules aimed at reducing traffic;

and Training on cleaner production methods and processes.

Sectoral level actions might include:

Seeking recognition of environmental delegates at sectoral level; and Making use of sectoral social dialogue tables.

National level actions might include:

Participating in national energy planning, such as promoting increased investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as integrated transportation systems;

Promoting demand-side management programmes aimed at educating the public on sustainable consumption practices; and

Campaigning for reskilling programmes targeting workers engaged in environmentally intensive occupations.

Regional level actions might include: Campaigning for regional sustainable mobility plans; Participation in regional economic and urban planning to promote

balanced land use; Promoting sustainable construction regulations, such as green building

codes; and Lobbying for regional competency standards for green jobs.

Climate Adaptation Adaptation to climate change describes the actions taken to manage the impact of the extreme weather events that are caused by climate change These actions attempt to reduce vulnerability to floods, landslides, droughts, storms and heat waves, and help people and the environment to better cope with these changing conditions.



Adaptation strategies can build the capacity of people to adapt to disasters and make changes to the way they live, with support from government and business. This includes raising awareness that includes all parts of society in decision making and reducding risks by providing long term investment in to strengthen infrastructure and other defences. Point to Note It is important that adaptation is complemented by strong mitigation actions, because the cost of adaptation rises with the risk of climate change. Adaptation actions can include, for example:

Large infrastructure programmes such as building dykes and levees aimed at protecting low lying or coastal areas;

Improving and extending emergency response services by equipping emergency care centres with sufficient medical staff to deal with extreme situations;

Ensuring insurance cover is available for people, business and communities to protect them from the loss of income and assets;

Assisting farmers adapt to climate changes by growing crops that are more suitable for a different climate; and

Providing financial support to small businesses to help them recover from damage caused by unpredictable weather events so as to protect jobs in the local communities.

Preparing Adaptation Strategies All countries should undertake social and environmental risk assessments aimed at developing a long-term, budgeted action plans to ensure people are prepared to deal with climate-related risks before, during and after extreme weather events. Preparation decreases vulnerability and empowers people to manage their lives and use their own initiatives to protect themselves and others. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) calls on all countries to ‘take climate change considerations into account in their relevant social, economic and environmental policies’ by carrying out national impact assessments and plans to minimise negative impacts on the economy, public health and the quality of the environment in mitigation or adaptation plans. Developing countries often lack the appropriate information, resources, expertise and funding to carry out adaptation strategies required to protect vulnerable populations. To support these countries the UNFCCC National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) is linked with international funding mechanisms aimed at helping Least Developed Countries to prioritise



their urgent and immediate needs and effectively respond to extreme events caused by climate change. The Government’s Role All levels of government are responsible for preparing adaptation strategies and plans. Governments play a key role in:

Directing independent research and assessments on potential climate risks and vulnerabilities;

Designing and delivering policies that are fair and equitable and allow representatives from the various groups within local communities to participate in debate and decision making.

Providing support to enterprises at risk and assisting them with developing business continuity plans;

Respecting workers and trade union rights and recognising them as key stakeholders at all stages of adaptation planning;

Ensuring that public services such as health and emergency units have the capacity to deliver services in the event of disaster;

Developing early warning systems; and Increasing investments in public infrastructure and community-based

environmental rehabilitation programmes. Climate change adaptation strategies can create job opportunities but these need to respect the principles of Decent Work and the important contribution that these worker’s will make. Unions need to:

Ensure they are fully involved in discussions and decision making on adaptation planning so that the rights of workers and enterprises are protected;

Negotiate with government to provide funds for services such as social protection and insurance mechanisms and continue campaigns to prevent privatisation.

Conduct awareness raising activities at the workplace and national level so that worker’s are aware of causes and impacts

Contribute to research and analysis conducted by business and government on changing work and production practices; and

Support the skills training and capacity building programmes established by government and enterprises as part of adaptation.



Discussion Point

An example of unfair planning is the approach to increasing the number of fire

fighters to cope with the increasing bush fires in the US. Instead of increasing

permanent employment more fire fighters are being recruited on zero hour

contracts. When a bus full of fire fighters crashed and a number were killed, the

fire service refused to compensate the families of those workers on zero hour

contracts, saying that it was against the law for them to do so.

These workers were doing the same work in the same dangerous situation, fighting to

save people and the environment, yet they were not receiving the same terms and

conditions of employment. The increasing number of fires and the higher level of

danger mean that the zero hour contract workers work for the same length of time

as permanent workers without the accompanying benefits. (International Herald Tribune August 2013)

What can the union movement do to ensure emergency service workers are protected and treated with the respect and fairness and that the government has long term plans for these services to protect people in future extreme weather events?

Emission Trading Schemes Emissions trading are market-based approaches to controlling pollution and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Trading schemes establish a limit on total greenhouse gas emissions, by issuing a fixed number of tradable permits that allow companies to release a designated amount of emissions under the scheme. These allowances are then bought and sold on the market. This puts a price on greenhouse gases and provides companies with the economic incentive to reduce them. In this way, emissions trading can provide companies with the flexibility to develop cost effective climate mitigation strategies: the lower the emissions, the more a company saves.

The government sets a restriction on the total amount of emissions. Companies are either provided or sold permits / credits that afford

them the right to emit up to the designated limit, or “cap”. Companies whose emissions exceed the cap purchase permits from

companies that do not go over the cap.



The buyer pays a charge for emitting and the seller is rewarded for reducing emissions.

For example:

Company A & B each have the right to emit 90,000 tonnes (the cap) of carbon waste per year.

The government sets the market price for each tonne of carbon waste at $10 per tonne.

Company A is only emitting 85,000 tonnes so has a credit of 5,000 tonnes.

Company B is emitting 95,000 tonnes and would need to pay $15 per tonne to reduce emissions by 5,000 tonnes so chooses to buy Company A’s credits at $10 per tonne as it is cheaper.

Company A sells the credits for $50,000 so is rewarded for not exceeding the emission cap. Company B pays Company A, $50,000 for the credits but saves $25,000 from not actually reducing emissions.

Sometimes called “Cap and trade” schemes these can be implemented on a national or regional scale. The European Union, for example, has in place a large regional scheme binding all EU member countries. Project based, credit or carbon offset trading schemes Schemes like the UNFCCC Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) programme provide companies in developed countries the opportunity to purchase” offset” credits from projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries. These projects can include, for example:

Installing renewable energy processes; Implementing energy efficiency programmes; Making use of less polluting machinery and equipment; and Planting trees and protecting forests, among others.

Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of carbon emissions, are issued by the UNFCCC to such projects in developing countries which in turn are purchased by businesses in developed countries to meet their own emission targets. Problems and Issues Carbon offsetting programmes such as the CDM have been criticised for not always considering equity and distribution issues in developing countries. Local populations may not be properly consulted or economic benefits not equally shared. Emissions trading, in the same way as the financial share market, has periodically experience price volatility (often linked with the allocation of permits) which can present problems for financing climate actions.



For example, in January 2013 the price per tonne of carbon in the EU scheme fell to €2.81 from a record high of €32.00 in 2008, only recovering to €4.00 after a few days. The EU scheme launched in 2005 had crashed to near zero by 2007 rising to the high of €32.00 in 2008. (The Guardian Newspaper, UK 24.01.13) In 2014 the price of carbon is rising, in March the price per tonne is €7.50. (http://www.businessgreen.com) The price of carbon can be followed in the Internet.

The market based solution to climate change is not always seen as fair, especially to developing countries who have never been large emitters of GHGs. Many unions see it as a way for the countries and companies who create the most emissions to establish atmospheric rights at the expense of developing and industrialising countries. GHG emissions are not tangible commodities like steel or processed food because they are in the atmosphere and cannot be seen and are difficult to measure. Some call this the ‘colonisation of air’. Another criticism is that carbon trading is based on an accounting system that is neither rigorous or easily verified because it is not easy to separate the human made from natures way of dealing with carbon emissions. Natures cabon sinks cannot be measured precisely because there are still many unknowns. The success of the carbon trading market depends on a reliable and well-informed governing body to address accountability and regulation issues and the obscure measurements that are sometimes made by individual firms and countries. Other solutions use innovative technology to prevent emissions, for example, genetic modification to improve the ability of a tree to absorb carbon, capturing emissions and storing them in the ground and floating kelp farms to act as carbon sinks in water. There are different opinions as to the effectiveness of these solutions because of the danger that they are not well researched of piloted. Funds can be wasted if they are unsuccessful and they are often used as profit making exercises, bypassing the democratic processes in a country. They also take funds away from research and investment into renewable energy sources.

http://www.businessgreen.com/



Discussion Point In a workshop, following presentations on GHGs and emissions trading, divide people into groups and ask them to discuss the following questions:

What role do you think emissions trading can play in addressing climate change?

How should unions position themselves in terms of supporting or rejecting a market based approach to reducing emissions?

Should developed countries continue with a life style that heavily contributes to climate change at the expense of protecting people in developing countries?

Workshops can be held in committees or congresses to help develop union policy on these political issues.

Unions can play a major role in influencing how GHGs are reduced by lobbying governments to support a just and fair solution in international negotiations.

Funding Climate Change It is important for unions, especially in developing and industrialising countries to understand how climate adaptation and mitigation are financed, as they can play a role in ensuring target populations benefit from this funding. Climate finance can be described as the financial resources mobilised to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Climate financing is complex; funds can come from different sources and be administrated by different organisations. Financing can be delivered through bilateral or multilateral mechanisms, including from governments, the World Bank , regional development banks or international agencies. The Global Climate Fund The main multilateral financing mechanism for mitigation and adaptation in developing countries is the Global Climate Fund (GCF) that comes under the UNFCCC and was adopted at the 17th Conference of Parties held in Durban, South Africa in 2011. The World Bank is currently the interim trustee of the fund until the end of 2015; however, the designated Trustee is not supposed to have any role in the operational direction of the fund. There are 24 Board members on the GCF, equally divided between developed and developing countries. Unlike other UN agencies the fund does not have a structure for formal membership or a plenary body were all members are represented. The GCF’s Secretariat is based in the Republic of Korea. A Board meeting was held in February 2014 to discuss a number of issues relating to:

Transparency and accountability; Monitoring and evaluation;



The role of the private sector; Procedures for giving loans and grants; The balance of funding between adaptation and mitigation; and Effective safeguards and standards.

Given the urgency and seriousness of climate change, the purpose of the Fund is to make a significant and ambitious contribution to the global efforts towards attaining the goals set by the international community to combat climate change. The Fund will contribute to the achievement of the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In the context of sustainable development, the Fund will promote the paradigm shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development pathways by providing support to developing countries to limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the impacts of climate change, taking into account the needs of those developing countries particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. The Fund will be guided by the principles and provisions of the Convention.

http://gcfund.org

As of 2014, the main challenge for the GCF is to secure sufficient funding in which to meet the needs of all countries at-risk and there are concerns that adaptation is underfunded given the growing number of extreme weather events. As in other discussions of this nature there are differences of opinion between countries. Some want a high profile for the private sector whereas others believe that it should be the predominantly driven by governments and UN agencies.’ The Secretariat now has a Private Sector Facility with an Executive Director and four experts but the question being asked is can the private sector make enough profits to make it worthwhile investing in the fund.

Discussion Point Unions in both developed and developing countries should find out what funds their governments are pledging or receiving and factor the issue of financing into social dialogue with their governments. How can Trade Unions ensure that proposals for climate adaptation and mitigation ensorse the principles of decent work, training and skills development, anti discrimination, gender equality and occupational safety and health rights? How can they ensure that they are involved as stakeholders in the planning and use of funds?

http://gcfund.org/

section 2 understanding climate change

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