Green Work

Jean Lambert MEP recently published her report, Green Work: Employment and Skills - the climate change challenge. The publication calls for greater investment in green industries and skills for workers to help transform the UK to a low-carbon economy.

It found there is huge potential for job creation in green industries like wind and solar power, which is not yet being exploited. The report also warns of a skills gap in the UK which will hold back our ability to capitalise on the green revolution unless it is addressed now.

Jean Lambert MEP, who sits on the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee, said: 

"The UK renewable energy programme is likely to be hit by skills shortages unless the Government revitalises apprenticeships, working with SMEs and ensuring employer buy-in to overcome to the skills gaps.

"Clearly what is needed is a comprehensive green skills action plan for the renewables sector, delivered with significant state funding. It is essential to increase the pool of people with STEM qualifications – science, technology, engineering and maths - for subsequent training in specialised green industries, such as renewable energy."

The report also recognises the importance of greening existing industries. One key way to help achieve this is through the engagement of Trade Union Green Representatives.

The UK Green Party MEPs, Jean Lambert and Caroline Lucas, have called on Governments and the European Commission to legally recognise green trade union representatives in the workplace. The idea has been championed by trade unions as a way to deliver greener workplaces through collective agreements between employers, employees and unions.

Just as unions and employers work together to improve health and safety in the workplace, appointed union green representatives champion green issues.

Jean Lambert, continued:

"Dedicated union green reps have the potential to raise awareness of environmental issues and help to change behaviour in the workplace. They would also help deliver significant environmental improvements through engagement between employers and the workforce that will help the UK shift to a low carbon economy.

"There is huge potential for trade union members to play a significant role as green representatives at work, but to perform their role effectively they need legal recognition and the right to undertake relevant training and duties."

The text of the Written Declaration which is open for signatures until 22nd January 2009 is as follows:

WRITTEN DECLARATION pursuant to Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure
by Jean Lambert, Caroline Lucas, Alejandro Cercas and Luigi Cocilovo
on workers’ environmental representatives

0088/2008

Written declaration on workers’ environmental representatives

The European Parliament,
– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas, given the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the European Council (Presidency Conclusions, 8-9 March 2007) has committed to 2020 EU targets of 20-30 % reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption reductions of 20 %, and 20 % of energy demand from renewables, and the Commission has proposed renewable energy targets for each Member State,

B. whereas industry’s meeting of environmental targets should be undertaken in a just way, requiring the active participation and support of employees and workplace representatives,

C. whereas trade unions are ideally placed to promote, implement, and help develop best environmental workplace practice,

D. whereas some employers and trade unions have developed environmental workplace policies, and workers’ environmental representatives are recognised in some workplaces,

1. Calls on the Council and Commission to acknowledge the importance of trade unions and workers’ environmental representatives in meeting environmental challenges, particularly delivering on the EU’s Sustainable Development Strategy and climate change and environmental objectives;

2. Calls on the Council and Commission to work to secure rights for workers’ environmental representatives, including time for relevant training, the undertaking of workplace environmental audits and other duties;

3. Calls on Member States to afford workers’ environmental representatives these aforementioned rights, and to work with trade unions and employers to achieve environmental objectives in the most just way;

4. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, the Council, the Commission and Member States.