The COP 26 Coalition are inviting trade unionists, their families and friends to the From the Ground Up: Global Gathering for Climate Justice, mobilisation taking place Thursday 12- Monday 16 November, to mark the moment COP26 should have taken place in Glasgow.
They have especially invited us to attend the trade union-focused sessions, led by union organisers and activists from across the world, coming together to strategise, plan and mobilise for a just transition.
Register here: https://cop26coalition.org/global-gathering-registration/
Urging branch members to join one of the events, Steve Gray, branch Green Champion said, “The climate movement and the trade union movement need to unite, learn from each other, and together push for change. This is a small step on our shared journey towards system change.”
The events are detailed below:
Thursday 12 Nov: 13:30 – 15:00 UTC
Toxic Tour of Scotland:
Scotland, like a lot of Global North nations, is keen to project itself as a “climate leader”.
We will show the emptiness of these claims as we take you on a ‘Toxic Tour’ of the most polluting projects in Scotland (and resistance to them), while also drawing links to the international context, to prepare our movement for when COP26 arrives in Glasgow 2021.
- Scott Tully, Glasgow Calls Out Polluters
- Elaine Docherty – Co-convenor Scottish Greens, Dennistoun Community Councillor, GCOP
- Lewis Coenen-Rowe – International Development Alliance
Saturday 14 Nov: 14:30 – 16:00 UTC
Aiming for the Sky: A Just Transition for the Aviation Industry
We need to shift towards climate-just transport and travel. Join this session to hear from workers in the aviation sector, climate activists, trade unionists and researchers as we
- Tahir Latif, PCS Union Aviation Group
- Claire James – Campaign Against Climate Change -TU Group
- More speakers to be announced soon
Saturday 14 Nov: 16:30 – 18:00 UTC
Workers Can’t Wait: Just Transition Now – Building Global Labour Power For Climate Justice
A Just Transition means that workers do not have to choose between job security and protecting nature and the environment. Any response to the climate crisis must address a global climate justice new deal for workers and communities.
- Ms. Rhoda Boateng, ITUC Africa
- Enos Mbodi, NUMSA, South Africa
- Suzanne Jeffery, Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group
- Bert De Wel, Climate policy officer ITUC
- More speakers to be confirmed.
Sunday 15 Nov: 18:00 – 19:30 UTC
The Urgency of Now: Climate Jobs and Just Transition
What does a just transition look like for oil workers facing immediate redundancies because of low oil prices and privatisation? How do we create momentum for climate jobs on a local level, creating solutions rooted in communities and a real alternative?
- Antony Devalle, Sindipetro-RJ, Brazil
- Gabi Jeliazkov, Platform
- Stuart Graham, Free Our City
- Ellen Robottom, Leeds Trade Union Council
- Suzanne Jeffery,Campaign Against Climate Change Trade Union Group