- Adapting Canadian Work and Workplaces to Respond to Climate Change (x)
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Title
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Just Transition Towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All
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Description
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This Policy Brief, aimed at a labour union audience, reviews the history and fundamental principles of the Just Transition concept, provides case studies which form an impressive catalogue of how just transition has (and in some cases, hasn’t) worked around the world, and concludes with recommendations of how trade unions and workers’ organizations can contribute to the goal of Just Transition to a low carbon economy. He concludes with the observation that 10 - 12 years is a realistic time frame for Just Transition agreements. Available at the ILO from https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_dialogue/---actrav/documents/publication/wcms_647648.pdf .
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1150322
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Title
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Canada’s Fossil-Fuelled Pensions: The Case of the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation
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Description
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The report makes the following recommendations so that BCI can align its investments with the 2°C limit: 1. A portfolio-wide climate change risk analysis to determine the impact of fossil fuels on BCI’s public equity investments, and subsequent disclosure of all findings to pension members. 2. Divestment: freezing any new investment and developing a plan to first remove high-risk companies from portfolios, particularly coal and oil sands producers, and then moving toward sector-wide divestment.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1150321
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Title
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Making Decarbonization Work for Workers: Policies for a just transition to a zero-carbon economy
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Description
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In light of the federal government’s pledge to launch a Task Force on Just Transition in 2018, this report makes a unique contribution by using census data to identify the regions in each province with the greatest reliance on fossil fuel jobs. While fossil fuel dependence is overwhelmingly concentrated in Alberta, with a few “hot spots” in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, the report identifies communities from other provinces where fossil fuel jobs represent a significant part of the local economy – for example, Bay Roberts, Newfoundland; Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Sarnia, Ontario. The report also makes the useful distinction between “reactive” just transition policies, which are intended to minimize the harm to workers of decarbonization, and “pro-active” just transition policies, which are intended to maximize the benefits.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1150320
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Title
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Greening with jobs: World Employment and Social Outlook 2018
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Description
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This landmark report estimates the number of green jobs; also includes analysis and discussion of climate impacts on working conditions, job quality, and productivity, (including estimates of impacts of extreme weather conditions), and the need for social dialogue and a legal and policy framework which promotes just transition. Of particular interest is the discussion of the role of social dialogue, which includes examples of green provisions in international and national agreements – and on page 94, highlights green provisions in Canadian collective agreements, based on the database compiled by the Adapting Canadian Work and Workplaces to Climate Change project. Available in English and French. Available at the ILO at https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/wcms_628654.pdf
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1150317
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Title
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Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities: Terms of Reference
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Description
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In fulfilment of a promise to appoint a Task Force on Just Transition, the Minister released this detailed statement of the Terms of Reference, describing the mandate: the Task Force will engage with specified stakeholder groups and provide policy options and recommendations by the end of 2018. The Minister will appoint 9 members and 2 chairs – with the strongest representation from labour unions, including a representative from the from the Canadian Labour Congress; from a provincial Federation of Labour in an affected province; from a union responsible for coal extraction; from a union in coal power generating facilities; and from a union in the skilled trades related to coal power. The rest of the Task Force will include a workforce development expert, a sustainable development expert; a past executive from a major Canadian electricity company or utility; and a municipal representative, identified in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127530
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Title
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Getting there: Alternative Budget 2018
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Description
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This is the 23rd Alternative Budget, covering the entire range of economic activity in Canada with a social justice perspective. This edition includes detailed proposals regarding Just Transition in the section “Industrial Strategy and Just Transition” - the report calls for a National Decarbonization Strategy to be developed through broad consultation, and to act as a co-ordinating body for other AFB proposals – notably an enhanced Low Carbon Economy Fund to support cities and infrastructure investments, and a trade promotion strategy. A new $500-million Just Transition Transfer (JTT) is proposed, to flow federal funds to provinces. Also the AFB calls for a $1Billion Strategic Training Fund to increase training capacity at colleges and trade schools.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127529
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Title
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Facing the elements: Building business resilience in a changing climate: case studies
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Description
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In a report directed to the business community, NRTEE presents case studies of the practical adaptation actions, experience and advice of what they call "climate pacesetters". The thirteen Canadian firms profiled are: B.C.Hydro, Cameco, Coca Cola Canada, EBA Engineering Consultants, Entenergy, Hydro Quebec, J.D. Irving, Munich RE, Rio Tinto Alcan, Royal Bank of Canada, Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Tolco Industries, and Whistler Blackcomb. Companion documents: A Business Primer and an Advisory Report to Government, with research and recommendations on how government can support greater business adaptation to climate change.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127524
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Title
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Development of Options for A Vehicle Feebate in Canada - Final Report
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Description
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This consultants' report for the National Round table on the Environment and the Economy was prepared in cooperation with Resources for the Future and DesRosiers Automotive Consulting. In the 2005 Federal Budget, the Government of Canada tasked the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) to develop options for a vehicle feebate for Canada. The options were to be revenue neutral, to apply to all light-duty vehicles, and to be flexible to adapt to changing circumstances. The Budget set out A Framework for Evaluation of Environmental Tax Proposals as the basis for evaluating this and future environmental proposals involving the tax system. In response, the NRTEE commissioned this study, whose objectives are to: understand the nature of the motor vehicle market in Canada and trends, including the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the industry and the Government on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; identify the key feebate options that meet the mandatory parameters identified by the Government; and, assess the options against the criteria established in the Budget 2005 Framework.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127526
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Title
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Comparative Study of U.K. and Canadian Pension Fund Transparency Practices
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Description
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This report was commissioned by Canada’s National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy to explore how pension fund transparency practices with respect to social, environmental and ethical (SEE) issues in the United Kingdom differ from those in Canada. In particular, it addresses the antecedents and impact of U.K. policies mandating the inclusion of a fund’s approach to SEE issues in its statement of investment principles (SIP).
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127528
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Title
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Ecological Fiscal Reform and Energy Case Study on Renewable Grid-Power Electricity - Final Baseline and Economic Report
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Description
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This case study provides an analysis of the role that fiscal policy can play in promoting the longterm development of Canada’s renewable energy sector, with a view of promoting and, where appropriate, accelerating the use of renewable energy technologies that leads to long-term reductions in energy-based carbon emissions. This case study addresses the renewable energy (RE) sector and explores the ‘traction” of fiscal instruments to improve the uptake or deployment of grid-power renewable energy technologies (RETs) in Canada. Consistent with the broader goal of the EFR program, the objectives of this case study are twofold: - To deliver pragmatic, policy-relevant recommendations on how fiscal policy can be used to promote sustainable development; and - To synthesize the lessons learned from each case study into a “State of the Debate” report that will assess the potential use of fiscal policy in promoting long-term decarbonisation.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127525
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Title
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ClimaCon2: Building Power for Workers to confront Climate Change: Report from the Second Labor Convergence on Climate
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Description
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The Conference theme was "Building Worker Power to Confront Climate Change." The event was held in September 2017; participants included over 130 people - U.S. labour union leaders, organizers, and rank and file activists from 17 unions, 3 state federations/central labor councils and 6 labour support organizations, as well as environmental and economic justice activists. Includes case study examples and a Draft Sample Union Resolution on Climate Change and the Labor Network for Sustainability. Speaker Elaine Bernard of Harvard University originated the slogan "Own the Bakery" here.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127522
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Title
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Women and Climate Change Impacts and Action in Canada: Feminist, Indigenous and Intersectional Perspectives
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Description
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The report was produced through a collaboration of the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women and the Alliance for Intergenerational Resilience, with funding from Adapting Canadian Work and Workplaces to Climate Change (ACW) and its predecessor project, Work in a Warming World (W3). The researchers found that women face a double threat from social-economic barriers that leave them bearing the brunt of climate change impacts, while being denied a role in developing policies and programs to mitigate climate change - the example given is employment in renewable energy, where women are underrepresented globally. The report points out that the need for women to be acknowledged as agents of change.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127520
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Title
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Achieving Public Policy Objectives through collective agreements: The Project Agreement Model for public construction in British
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Description
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From the authors: "The Construction of the $1.2 billion Vancouver Island Highway Project provided an opportunity for the building trades unions and the Government of BC to negotiate an innovative collective agreement that included union membership, training for local residents and members of equity groups, new employment opportunities for members of designated equity groups and a comprehensive health and safety program. The Project implemented the most comprehensive system of tracking progress in employment equity in BC’s history. By its completion, women, First Nations, persons with disabilities and visible minorities accounted for just under 20% of total hours worked in an industry where 2% representation is the norm. Over 94% of payroll went to local residents, ensuring their communities the benefits of this major capital project. Finally, the health and safety record was significantly better than on any comparable construction project. Far from being an impediment to the efficient and timely completion of this major construction project, the collective agreement made it possible to deliver training, employment opportunities and regional development." Archived at the Just Labour website at http://www.yorku.ca/julabour/volume2/calvert_justlabour.PDF .
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127523
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Title
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A Labor Rights Statement of Support: (Resolution for Environmentalists)
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Description
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Labour unions are frequently asked to pass resolutions relating to climate and environmental policy. This sample resolution, recently approved by the board of the Labor Network for Sustainability, is offered so that other environmental and climate protection organizations will consider and pass it, and endorse labour union rights including freedom to organize and bargain collectively. Also includes such statements: "We pledge to work together for job creation in a climate-friendly economy; fight together for full employment in an economy that uses union labor. For example, American steel made by USW members must be used to make wind turbines erected by union building trades workers."
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127521
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Title
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State of the Framework: Tracking implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
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Description
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A progress report with recommendations, including calls on the federal government to speed up on all policy fronts: with specific recommendations including: “extend the pan-Canadian carbon price up to $130 per tonne of pollution by 2030, implement Canada-wide zero emission vehicle legislation, ban the sale of internal combustion engines, and establish long-term energy efficiency targets.” Available from the Pembina website at http://www.pembina.org/reports/state-of-the-framework.pdf.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127512
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Title
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The Training of Canadian Architects for the Challenges of Climate Change
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Description
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Working paper #104. This study examines how Canadian architecture schools are training the next generation of architects in regard to climate change. This study looks at the training of architects in the eleven schools of architecture in Canada whose programs have been accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board, and how these programs deal with the issues of climate change in their curricula. It also looks, for international comparison, at a number of major non-Canadian architecture school programs recognized as substantially equivalent to those of the Canadian schools.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127514
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Title
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Prairie Resilience: A Made-in-Saskatchewan Climate Change Strategy
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Description
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This policy paper maintains the province’s position outside the Pan-Canadian Framework agreement with: “A federal carbon tax is ineffective and will impair Saskatchewan’s ability to respond to climate change“ . Policies are economy-wide, including in the electricity sector, where it proposes to introduce regulations governing emissions from electricity generation by SaskPower and Independent Power Producers, meet the province’s commitment of up to 50 per cent electricity capacity from renewables, and “determine the viability of extending carbon capture use and storage technology to remaining coal power plants while continuing to work with partners on the potential application for CCUS technology globally.” Also available at the government website at http://publications.gov.sk.ca/documents/66/104890-2017%20Climate%20Change%20Strategy.pdf .
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1127513
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Title
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Jobs for Tomorrow: Canada’s Building Trades and Net Zero Emissions
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Description
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This report makes job creation projections for construction occupations, based on an aggressive emissions reduction target of Net-zero emissions by 2050 (Canada’s current national emissions reduction commitment is 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030) . Overall, the report concludes that the Net-zero emissions reduction target could generate nearly 4 million direct building trades jobs, and 20 million indirect, induced and supply chain jobs by 2050. Some examples from the report: building small district energy systems in half of Canada’s municipalities with populations over 100,000 would create over 547,000 construction jobs by 2050. Building solar installations would create the next-highest level of construction jobs: 438,350. Building $150 billion of urban transit infrastructure (rapid transit tracks and bridges, subway tunnels, and dedicated bus lanes) would create about 245,000 direct construction jobs by 2050. The report was commissioned by Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), an umbrella organization affiliated with 15 international construction unions.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122205
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Title
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Lessons from Previous Coal Transitions: High-level Summary for Decision-makers
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Description
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This is a synthesis report of case studies of past coal mining transitions in Spain, U.K., the Netherlands, Poland, U.S., and the Czech Republic – some as far back as the 1970’s. Key messages: the sooner the problems of necessary transition are addressed, the better; and while expensive, transition costs are cheaper than ignoring the needs of declining communities and displaced workers. While the level of cost details varies in the case studies, it is clear that costs are significant. For example, the case study of Limburg, Netherlands states that the national government spent approximately 11.6 billion Euros (in today’s prices) on national subsidies to support coal prices and regional reconversion, in addition to several 100 million per year in EU funds. “One estimate also suggested that in the Dutch case, all told, regional reinvestment in new economic activities also cost about 300 to 400 000€/per long-term job created.” Limburg is also cited as “remarkable for the relatively consensual nature of the transition between unions, company and government.” Part of ‘Coal Transitions: Research and Dialogue on the Future of Coal’ Project.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122204
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Title
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Greening of industries in the EU: Anticipating and managing the effects on quantity and quality of jobs
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Description
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Examines green business practices and greening processes aimed at mitigating climate change. The study had two main objectives: to provide an overview at both sectoral and cross-sectoral level in the EU of the effects of greening on the quantity and quality of jobs in 10 sectors (automotive, chemicals, construction, distribution and trade, energy, furniture, nonmetallic materials, shipbuilding, textiles and transport); and to analyse good practice examples of the anticipation and management of green change at the company level in these sectors.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122092
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Title
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Jobs in a clean energy future
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Description
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This report updates the 2010 joint publication Creating jobs - cutting Pollution. It models three scenarios for future jobs and estimates that Australia could create one million new jobs by 2040 while cutting pollution if it follows a clean energy path, including putting a price on carbon, electrification of vehicles, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and more.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122076
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Title
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Industrial relations and sustainability: the role of social partners in the transition towards a green economy
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Description
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"This study examined best practice examples of social partner involvement in greening the economy in different Member States. It analysed the role of the trade unions and employers’ associations as well as employees, their direct representatives and company management in selected projects at national or local level. The report demonstrates what a successful contribution of the social partners to greening the economy can look like and identifies factors that need to be taken into consideration. " The 5 case studies were: UK, the GreenWorkplaces project of the Trades Union Congress in Mid-2006; Germany, Network Resource Efficiency project with IG Metall (2007); France, Joint approved training fund with Construction industry OPCA (2008); Belgium, Eco-voucher initiative with the National Labour Council ( 2009); Romania, Euroeneff project with CMC – joint organisation in the construction industry (2008).
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122091
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Title
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Work in a changing climate: The Green Initiative: Report of the Director-General
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Description
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The main body of the Director-General’s Report to the 106th International Labour Conference, June 2017, describes and updates the accomplishments of the ILO Green Centenary Initiative, which was launched in 2013, “to promote the considerable potential for creation of decent work associated with the transition to a low carbon sustainable development path and to minimize and manage the inevitable dislocation that will accompany it.” The report emphasizes the need for research and policy analysis,and includes the following important themes: the need for tripartite responses to climate change; the importance of a global carbon price; and skills development and social protection for the successful green transformation of work processes. The Working Group of the ILO responded to the Director-General's report on June 9.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122077
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Title
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Make Manufacturing Work: An Industrial Strategy for the 21st Century
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Description
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This policy statement deals mainly with the steel, forestry and auto sectors, and their trade position. Part 2 is devoted to "A green Industrial Strategy" and Just Transition. The report states: "Although addressing such environment-industry policy disconnects may displace some workers, clean energy investments, shifts in subsides and targeted tax incentives may increase the number of well-paid, equitable, unionized jobs, though only if it is an explicit goal of Canada’s manufacturing or industrial policy." It makes recommendations for cleaner processes for each industry.
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122075
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Title
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Climate Change White Paper
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Description
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This policy statement by the government acknowledges the problem of climate change but opposes the solutions set out in the federal government's Vancouver Declaration - especially carbon taxes. Saskatchewan states: "we believe the third option—innovation and technological development—offers both the greatest potential for significant improvements in global GHG emissions, while causing the least harm to our economy."
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Identifier (PID)
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yul:1122070
