14 January, 2010IMF set to continue working with affiliates on climate change after a flimsy non-binding agreement was reached in Copenhagen last year.
GLOBAL: The International Metalworkers' Federation will continue to raise the profile on climate change and offer opportunities for debate on the issue with affiliates in 2010, after a flimsy non-binding agreement was reached at Copenhagen last year.
In a statement reflecting on the outcome of the COP15 negotiations, Rob Johnston, IMF Executive Director for Industrial and TNC Policies, writes that while a weak agreement is better than none at all, it is now time to focus union efforts on achieving a binding agreement at COP16 in Mexico in 2010.
"The COP16 in Mexico will offer an interesting opportunity for unions to package a number of important issues surrounding trade union rights under the climate change umbrella," he writes.
"Many of the barriers to a binding agreement stem from the fear of the impact emissions targets would have on industry, trade, development and subsequently jobs. Building a comprehensive policy on issues that raise questions about the north-south divide are key. Natural areas for trade union involvement are issues such as the responsibilities of transnational corporations, education, training and skill development," he adds.
IMF and the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) will continue to develop a joint program to address areas of mutual interest. In June 2010, ICEM and IMF will hold a joint conference in Toronto which will address three main topics: the impact of the Global Economic Crisis; sustainability and climate change; and, financial markets and global governance.
The main outcomes from the conference will be presented to the G20 shortly afterwards and taken forward to the COP16.
A copy of the statement prepared by Rob Johnston can be viewed here.