Posted: Thursday, 10 December 2009

Day 1: Canadian Labour Congress Leads Strong Labour Delegation to COP 15

The Canadian Labour Congress is leading a delegation of trade unions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen.

The CLC’s delegation is at COP15 to press the case to the Canadian government that it should be lead, not hinder, progress for a global deal on climate change that will be ambitious, binding and fair to all the signatories.

Specifically, the CLC is pushing for:

• acceptance of the1990 baseline and commitment to emission reductions. Emission reductions are calculated based on percentages above or below what a country produced in 1990. Canada wants to use a 2006 baseline as it has a higher rate of emissions, therefore making Canada not look so bad and making other countries look less active on reducing emissions
• a commitment to a fund for developing countries to adapt to climate change, mitigate against climate change and transfer technology to the developing world
• strengthened language respecting 'Just Transition' in the current negotiating text. 'Just Transition' makes green economic opportunities real by creating green jobs and retraining workers

In addition, the CLC will be advocating for government action back home, including a carbon pricing system consistent with the polluter pay principle, public investments in energy efficiency, rail and mass transit infrastructure and clean, sustainable renewable energy. (learn more ...)

Watch this space for more news from the Canadian Labour Congress in Copenhagen...