14 April, 2009Metal unions meet in Australia to craft strategy for enhanced engagement in the climate change debate in preparation for Copenhagen 2009.
AUSTRALIA: Building on the recently adopted steel climate change policy (Tokyo 2008) the International Metalworkers' Federation's steel department held its second climate change meeting on March 24-25 in the lead up to Copenhagen 2009.
The most widely known global agreement trying to cut global emissions, Kyoto is approaching the end of its life and in Copenhagen, Denmark, governments will try to make a new deal on emission cuts between 2012 and 2020.
An international approach to tackling climate change is essential and steel unions have called for an international response that avoids unfair trade conditions and guarantees a level playing field. The argument that the world faces a serious threat from environmental degradation is no longer open to serious challenge.
At the IMF meeting in Australia, steel unions from 5 regions held discussions with business leaders, governmental ministers, trade union partners, think tanks and environmental NGO's in order to build partnerships and further develop the IMF's approach on this vitally important issue. Representatives from the Chinese All Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) were also invited to attend but unfortunately were unable to participate.
The outcomes of the meeting were as follows:
- IMF will promote a metalworkers' position in the International arena including Copenhagen 2009.
- IMF will produce some practical materials for distribution amongst affiliates.
- The IMF Steel section will present a resolution on this issue to the IMF Congress in May 2009.
- IMF will continue to build relationships with other interested parties.
- IMF will develop strategies to engage with national and international agencies such as UNFCCC, OECD, ILO, etc.