Search results | digital.library.yorku.ca

Title: Work in a changing climate: The Green Initiative: Report of the Director-General
Description: 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.
Identifier (PID): yul:1122077

Title: Guidelines for a Just Transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all
Description: From the website: "The Guidelines are both a policy framework and a practical tool to help countries at all levels of development manage the transition to low-carbon economies and can also help them achieve their INDCs and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Guidelines are designed to create decent work on a large scale and ensure that social protection exists where needed. They also include mechanisms for social dialogue among governments, workers and employers' organizations throughout policymaking processes at all levels."
Identifier (PID): yul:1121504

Title: Steady Path: How a transition to a fossil-free Canada is in reach for workers and their communities
Description: Summarizes the more formal report, Employment Transitions regarding Canadian Just transition for fossil fuel workers by Jim Stanford.
Identifier (PID): yul:1153699

Title: Offshore: Oil and gas workers' views on industry conditions and the energy transition
Description: This report shares the testimonies of workers in the industry and their perspectives and priorities in the looming energy transition. The survey results show that morale is low amongst the workforce, who feel they are bearing the brunt of an industry in decline. But these workers are willing to retrain and move to new sectors. They want secure and well-paid work that makes use of their skills and experience.
Identifier: Oil-Gas-Workers-Report-Final-Web.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156050

Title: A Just and fair transition for Canadian coal power workers: What we heard from Canadian coal power workers and communities
Description: On April 25, 2018, the Government of Canada launched the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities. Our mandate was to provide the government with recommendations for how to support a just and fair transition for Canadian coal communities and workers, as Canada has committed to stop generating traditional coal-powered electricity by 2030. To develop our advice, we met directly with coal workers; coal communities; relevant stakeholder groups; and, federal, provincial, and municipal government departments. Together, we: travelled to all four affected provinces toured seven facilities hosted eight public sessions visited fifteen communities met with more than 80 stakeholder groups We received a wealth of information, heard real challenges, and learned about local ideas and solutions. While there are considerable differences across the country, community members and workers shared common concerns about impacts from the phase-out, including job losses, income security, re-training and re-employment, strained municipal budgets, and the social impacts of transition. We also heard hope for what a just transition could mean for the creation of decent work and sustainable communities.
Identifier: En4-362-2019-eng.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156049

Title: Employment Transitions and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels
Description: New research from the Centre for Future Work demonstrates that with prudent long-term planning, the coming phase-out of fossil fuel production and use can be managed without causing unemployment for fossil fuel workers. Employment Transitions and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels, by Jim Stanford (Economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work) shows that fossil fuel industries directly account for 170,000 jobs in Canada – less than 1% of total employment. A 20-year phase-out of fossil fuels implies an annual reduction of fossil fuel employment of around 8,500 jobs annually: the number of jobs typically created by the Canadian economy every ten days.
Identifier: Employment-Transitions-Report-Final.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156048

Title: Unifor Submission to the 2022 Federal Budget Consultation Process
Description: Unifor recommends government design budget 2022 to reorient Canada's economy towards social justice and ensure a fair, inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 economic crisis. Canada's government must address the numerous crises that were present long before COVID-19 arrived and exacerbated by the pandemic including inequality, precarious work and climate change. To that end, Unifor has developed the following 12 recommendations.
Identifier: unifor_2022_fed_budget_submission_-_en_ax.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156046

Title: Submission from the CCPA to Natural Resources Canada's consultation on a people-centred just transition
Description: Canada must wind down and ultimately phase out the vast majority of oil, gas and coal production in the next 30 years to meet our domestic and international climate goals, CCPA Senior Researcher Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood writes in a submission to the federal government's consultation on just transition legislation. The regulatory phase-out of coal-powered electricity generation in Canada provides a very clear model for how this can and should be done, he writes. Once a clear deadline is set, firms and workers can begin to plan for the transition into new industries. In contrast, the absence of a clear end date for oil and gas production encourages firms and workers to continue to invest into what will inevitably become stranded assets and stranded careers. "There can be no just transition without a transition," Mertins-Kirkwood writes.
Identifier: SubmissiontoNRCconsultation.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156036

Title: Working Harmoniously on the Earth: CUPE's National Environment Policy - Updated 2021 version
Description: CUPE's National Executive Board has adopted an updated environmental policy in response to the deepening climate crisis. Building on our policy adopted by the Board in 2013, the new policy places even greater urgency on a bold response to the climate crisis. The policy calls for new ways of working and living based on public, renewable sources of energy, and an end to fossil fuels. It also highlights the need for strong Just Transition programs enshrined in federal legislation to support and uplift workers, and recognizes that climate change impacts racialized communities even more aggressively. We all have a role to play in fighting the climate crisis, and as Canada's largest union, we recognize we must take our part in that fight. We encourage all CUPE members to read the policy and consider what changes you can make in your local, your workplace, and in your community.
Identifier: cupe_environmental_policy_2021_eng.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156031

Title: A Just and fair transition for Canadian coal power workers and communities: Final Report of the Task Force
Description: The devastating impacts of climate change are becoming clearer each year. More frequent and intense floods, storms, fires, heat waves, and droughts are destroying communities and homes, and putting the lives and futures of Canadians at risk. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2018 report on global warming of 1.5°C shows that our window to prevent the worst-case scenario is quickly closing. We do know what is causing climate change and we can do something about it. We need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions released into our environment. There are several ways in which we can accomplish this, including wasting less energy and investing in cleaner energy sources. Businesses, scientists, governments, communities, and individuals in Canada and around the world are beginning to prove that you can reduce GHG emissions, invest in reliable and affordable clean energy, create decent jobs, and have stable economies. Although coal-fired electricity has contributed significantly to Canada's economic past and present—and provided Canadians with affordable and reliable electricity and heat for many generations—it produces significant amounts of air pollutants and GHG emissions. It has well documented costs to human health and is a major contributor to climate change: approximately 20% of all GHG emissions in the world came from coal-fired electricity in 2013. Recognizing these facts, and supported by commitments in the 2015 Paris Agreement, Canada and other countries are intent on replacing coal-fired electricity with cleaner sources of fuel over the coming years and decades. In 2016, Canada committed to the phase-out of traditional coal-fired electricity across the country by 2030.
Identifier: En4-361-2019-eng.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156029

Title: Healthy Clean and Green: A Worker's Action Guide to a Greener Workplace
Description: CUPE members have a workplace environmental guide at their fingertips. The booklet – entitled Healthy, Clean & GREEN: A Workers' Action Guide to a Greener Workplace – shows workers what steps they can take to make their workplaces environmentally sustainable. Climate change, waste reduction and environmental rights are some of the issues covered in the publication. Action is at the centre of Healthy, Clean and GREEN. The booklet spells out what CUPE members can do at work and in their communities to tackle some of the pressing environmental problems we face.
Identifier: green_booklet_0.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156027

Title: The Future of B.C. Commercial Salmon Fishing
Description: The Future of BC Commercial Salmon Fishing report was created collaboratively by 150 active commercial salmon harvesters and a coalition of their organizations. It outlines a path forward in the spirit of reconciliation and co-existence with First Nations The coalition consists of the Area C Harvest Committee, Area D Gillnet Association, Area E Harvest Committee, Area G Trollers Association, Commercial Fishing Caucus, Native Brotherhood of B.C., Northern Native Fishing Corporation, Native Fishing Association, Northern Trollers Association, UFAWU-Unifor, as well as others. The report details the current state of the commercial salmon industry; like the salmon, the industry is in crisis. The report includes recommendations for how to remedy this crisis across five areas: improving runs, allocation, access, governance, and licence planning. Firstly, given stock collapse and current fleet size, a major harvester and licence retirement program is needed. This program must offer commercial salmon harvesters the ability to exit the industry with dignity and grace. For the future, it recommends all commercial salmon licences be held by harvesters or First Nations for active participation. A commercial salmon licence bank where licences from a buyout can be held will also allow for future re-entry into the industry. Licences must not be allowed to become investment paper or security for production for processors. For those who wish to remain in the industry, it is essential that adequate funding be allocated to improve runs, manage allocations equitably, ensure access to harvest, and modernize governance. These recommendations would support and strengthen the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative as they are essential to the future for the commercial salmon industry. The Future of BC Commercial Salmon Fishing report outlines how this can be achieved: Salmon hatchery production must be increased and habitats must be improved. However, to improve salmon runs, predators must also be managed. Studies have shown that pinniped populations are having a direct and disastrous impact on salmon populations and must be controlled. These concurrent steps will build-up salmon numbers while reducing threats to both juvenile and adult salmon — helping to rebuild and maintain healthy runs. Stable and accessible allocations are also crucial for a successful future — each sector has a right to exist and make a fair livelihood. Equitable sharing arrangements that support the co-existence of sectors must be negotiated. Recommendations for achieving equitable sharing arrangements that allow for supportive co-existence between sectors include: priority access for FSC harvests, set allocations between sectors, local roundtables to co-manage local issues, and monitoring and compliance mechanisms. Once a commercial allocation is established, there must be access to that allocation by commercial fish harvesters. Policies must be changed to permit access to harvestable surpluses. Recommendations for this include flexible fisheries planning; increased commercial test fisheries; science-based decisions over political ones, and more. Improvements to governance are also necessary. If the commercial salmon fishery is to survive, the entire decision-making system needs to be restructured with transparency and increased communication between industry stakeholders as key priorities. Recommendations to support this include watershed, sub-regional, and regional roundtables. It is the belief of the parties involved in developing this report that, if followed, these recommendations will create a salmon industry that is once again viable and profitable.
Identifier: The-Future-Of-BC-Commercial-Salmon-Fishing_June-24_Updated-1.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156025

Title: Women in Alberta's Energy Transition: A review of barriers to participation and leadership
Description: Alberta's energy economy is transitioning, and a common goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in the province is emerging. These changes offer the opportunity to design a new economy that works for everyone, and gender equity must be a priority in this transition. Not only are women vastly underrepresented in Alberta's current energy industry, but they are also underpaid. In fact, gender inequity in Alberta's energy sector is one of the leading contributors to Canada's overall wage gap. In this report, we review the existing literature and diverse perspectives on the barriers to women's participation and leadership in Alberta's energy transition so they can be considered within the larger context of net-zero. The goal is to provide a foundation of understanding for Alberta's emerging energy sector, so that past experiences can be considered to help build a more equitable and inclusive future.
Identifier: 2021-10-14-womeninalbertasenergytransition-pembina.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156024

Title: Trade Unions and Just Transition: The Search for a Transformative Politics
Description: For more than a decade, trade union responses to the unfolding climate and ecological crisis have mainly focused on the idea of "just transition." This idea has brought much-needed attention to the serious disruptions facing many workers, and the need to minimize those disruptions where possible, or provide alternatives where necessary. Unions have generally affirmed the findings of climate science and recognized the urgent need for dramatic transformation of our societies, but this affirmation has mostly found expression in echoing broader social calls for "more ambition" from governments. At the international level, and especially in Europe, union discourse and engagement around the need for a "just transition" has been shaped profoundly by the fate of social democracy, and the related ideas of "social partnership" and "social dialogue." However despite their origins in what could be seen as a true "social contract" between roughly equal partners, the erosion of political power for unions in recent decades has largely hollowed out these terms, leaving unions and workers increasingly dependent on appeals to governments and private companies to "do the right thing" for workers and the planet. This state of affairs calls for critical reflection. It is vital that unions ask not only whether existing approaches to the crisis are sufficiently ambitious, but whether they are even aimed correctly at the target.
Identifier: TUED-WP11-Trade-Unions-and-Just-Transition.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156023

Title: Making Kyoto work: A transition strategy for Canadian energy workers
Description: Making Kyoto Work: A Transition Strategy for Canadian Energy Workers finds that there are tremendous economic opportunities in becoming more energy efficient and developing new technologies--in alternative fuels, fuel-efficient vehicles, and in wind, geothermal, and tidal power. The study develops a transition strategy that allows Canada to meet its Kyoto Protocol commitments and at the same time provide transition support and employment for energy workers who lose their jobs. Dale Marshall, a resource policy analyst with the BC office of the CCPA and author of the study, estimates that 12,800 Canadian energy workers will lose their jobs over the next 10 years if Canada acts upon its Kyoto commitments, but over the same period, 16,000 new energy jobs will be created. Marshall says that "new jobs won't necessarily require the same skills or be in the same region, which is why we need a strategy to help workers with transition."
Identifier: making_kyoto_work.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156019

Title: When Green doesn't grow: Facing Up to the Failure of Profit-Driven Climate Policy
Description: After more than a decade of speeches and assurances from global elites, the "green growth" approach to climate protection has failed to make any meaningful progress in addressing the climate crisis. Renewable energy is on an upward course, but overall energy consumption has continued to rise even faster; as a result, fossil fuel use continues to expand, emissions continue to rise, and nearly every major country is off-track to meet their Paris commitments. It is time for us to collectively confront these stark realities and formulate a radical, independent, and internationalist trade union alternative based on a "public goods" approach. One way or another, rising emissions hurt everyone, and reducing emissions would benefit everyone. Considerations of private profit must be taken out of the equation. Emissions reductions must therefore be regarded as an absolute necessity and a collective human right. And since most emissions come from how we generate and use energy, energy systems must be radically reshaped by needs-based and pro-public policies. This means reclaiming energy to public and social ownership, and democratic control.
Identifier: TUED-When-Green-Doesnt-Grow-COP24.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156016

Title: Facing fossil fuels' future: Challenges and Opportunities for Workers in Canada's Energy and Labour Transitions
Description: Climate Action Network - Réseau action climat (CAN-Rac) Canada and Blue Green Canada launched their new joint report, Facing Fossil Fuels' Future: Challenges and Opportunities for Workers in Canada's Energy and Labour Transitions. Alarm bells are ringing louder and louder on the need to keep warming to 1.5°C to maintain a livable planet. This means stopping the expansion and scaling down production of oil and gas; a recent report in the journal Nature calculated that Canada needs to keep 83% of fossil fuels in the ground to keep 1.5°C within reach. Facing Fossil Fuels' Future explores the outlook for workers currently employed by the oil and gas industry under a 1.5°C-aligned pathway, and the new careers that need to be created within the decade to offer these workers opportunities in other sectors. Teika Newton, Managing Director of CAN-Rac Canada, shared an overview of the report alongside Jamie Kirkpatrick, Program Manager at Blue Green Canada, an alliance between Canadian labour unions, environmental and civil society organizations to advocate for working people and the environment. Meg Gingrich of United Steelworkers and Ken Bondy of Unifor shared their reflections on the topic.
Identifier: Facing-Fossil-Fuels-Future-October-2021.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1156013

Title: Getting to 2050 Canada's Transition to a Low emission Future
Identifier: NRTEE-Getting-to-2050_Canadas-Transition-to-a-Low-emission-Future.pdf
Identifier (PID): yul:1154137

Title: Just Transition Towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All
Description: 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 .
Identifier (PID): yul:1150322

Title: Making Decarbonization Work for Workers: Policies for a just transition to a zero-carbon economy
Description: 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.
Identifier (PID): yul:1150320

Title: Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities: Terms of Reference
Description: 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.
Identifier (PID): yul:1127530

Title: Resolutions to Unifor’s 2nd Convention August 22-26, 2016, Ottawa, ON
Description: This document contains all resolutions presented at the Convention. Of most interest are: R-6 Carpooling; R-9 Just Transition; and R-20 Climate Action Plans Job Security and Just Transition.
Identifier (PID): yul:1122033

Title: Just Transition and Good Green Jobs for Alberta: Conference Summary
Description: This is a summary of presentations and recommendations from a Blue Green Canada-sponsored conference, October 17, 2016 in Edmonton Alberta.
Identifier (PID): yul:1122026

Title: Climate Plans Must Include Just Transition for Environment and Economy to Thrive
Description: This press release coincides with the First Ministers' meetings in Vancouver, to encourage the politicians to follow through on the Just Transition provisions negotiated in the Paris Agreement. It provides a policy statement on necessary components of Just Transition, including the need for industry-supported transition funds and inclusion of all parties in crafting programs.
Identifier (PID): yul:1122020

Title: Submission to the Government of Canada's Conversation on Climate Change
Description: This statement makes policy recommendations as part of the federal government's public consultation process. It includes a vision of Just Transition (also published in a separate statement in Feb. 2016), and urges conversion to renewable energy sources and renewable electricity. It calls for an accelerated coal phase-out, with transition assistance for affected workers and communities.
Identifier (PID): yul:1122024

Title: Getting it right: A Just Transition Strategy for Alberta's Coal workers
Description: Following the Alberta government announcement that it will phase out coal-fired electricity by 2030, the Alberta Federation of Labour has called for workers' input on the transition. This report outlines the changes to the Alberta electricity generation sector;identifies and and discusses best practice case studies of coal transition; costs out the job losses associated with the phase out of coal-fired electricity generation; and recommends formation of an agency to oversee and implement the transition for workers and communities. The Coal Transition Coalition is led by the AFL and includes Canadian Energy Workers Association, CSU 52, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Ironworkers Local 720 , Unifor, United Steelworkers, and United Utility Workers Association.
Identifier (PID): yul:1121960

Title: Just Transition of the workforce, and the creation of decent work and quality jobs. Technical Paper by the Secretariat
Description: "This technical paper provides an overview of the work undertaken under the Convention on a just transition of the workforce, and the creation of decent work and quality jobs (hereinafter referred to as just transition) in the context of the impact of the implementation of response measures. The paper also presents the general concept of just transition, including the drivers and objectives of such transitions, and then discusses the linkages between just transition and the impacts of the implementation of climate change mitigation policies. It also provides guidance on how to approach just transition at the national level. This technical paper draws upon relevant information contained in: (1) reports on the work of the forum on the impact of the implementation of response measures, as well as submissions, presentations and statements made by Parties and observer organizations during previous sessions of the Conference of the Parties and the subsidiary bodies from 2008 to 2015; (2) national inventory reports, national communications, biennial reports and biennial update reports submitted by Parties; (3) publications by experts, international organizations and research institutes; and (4) inputs from the International Labour Organization." Includes a 7 page bibliography. Highlights the work of the Adapting Canadian Work and Workplaces to Climate Change (ACW) project on page 40.
Identifier (PID): yul:1120504

Title: Climate Justice, green jobs and sustainability
Description: The authors advocate a green social contract: "A “green social contract” would guide a government to prioritize both the environment and the well-being of its citizens in any decision-making process, and would include strategies for helping workers transition to green jobs and protect against widespread unemployment. “Just transition” packages should include education and training, income support and mobility allowances for workers who need assistance in changing careers. A coordinated strategy should bring in secondary, post-secondary and training/apprenticeship programs to ensure appropriate skills development."
Identifier (PID): yul:823120

Title: Just Transition: Creating a Green Social Contract for BC’s Resource Workers
Description: The result of of seven focus groups composed of displaced workers from the forestry, mining, and fossil fuel industries. Participants stressed the importance of improving training and education programs, which were seen as neglecting transferable and upgraded skills in favour of narrow specialization that plugged current labour gaps but left workers vulnerable to wage suppression and unable to change industries without downgrading. Participants also highlighted personal, family and community strain associated with moving to find work or commuting long distances, pointing to the need for related socioeconomic support, counselling, and policies that keep workers closer to home.
Identifier (PID): yul:823119