As the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai draws to a close, with no higher ambitions toward arresting the rise in global temperatures, Filipino trade unions marched with environmental and faith-based groups and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to call for Climate Justice as part of the Global Day of Action.
“If we allow environmental destruction as industrial practices unabatedly exploit the resources of the earth without letting the world heal, then there won’t be enterprises nor jobs to speak of,” said Julius Cainglet, vice president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW).
Around 2,000 climate justice advocates marched around Elliptical Road in Quezon City last Dec. 9 until it reached the corner of Commonwealth and University Avenues, where a program was held.
“We can‘t remain mum as the world’s resources get depleted and we can’t control nor adapt to the rising temperatures,” said Cainglet.
‘JUST TRANSITION’
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Head of the Philippine Delegation to COP28, made mention of just transition in the country as she addressed the International Conference.
“We are glad that government is speaking of ‘just transiton.’ We will hold them accountable to this commitment. We demand a seat at the table. Any and all just Transition plans should have workers’ participation at the center,” Cainglet said.
Among others, the guidelines of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on just transition provide for meaningful social dialogue of government with workers, re-skilling and up-skilling, and other appropriate forms of social protection including unemployment insurance.
“We recognize that any serious transition from dirty energy—fossil fuels and coal-fired power plants—to clean, renewable energy would necessitate the destruction of millions of jobs in favor of the creation of millions of new green, climate and decent jobs,” said Cainglet.
ACTIVE ROLE FOR WORKERS URGED
He further elaborated: “It is important that workers help government craft the master industrial plan that would outline the jobs that we should all say goodbye to, in order to save Mother Earth and establish the necessary policies and programs for new industries or the transformation of old ones in order to create green, climate and decent jobs.”
Workers urged for climate justice, stressing that they should be part of the government body that could ensure such.
“Workers should have an active role in the Climate Change Commission, the Inter-government body that, among others, charts the Country’s climate-related plans as written in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the reduction of carbon emission,” Cainglet said, adding that
“it would be wise to institutionalize a Tripartite Just Transition Commission that will enable the government and social partners, such as employers and workers, to aptly prepare for the changes that are inevitable.”
The FFW said they helped craft the Green Jobs Act and helped organize the first National Green Jobs Conference more than a decade ago.
