The role of employers’ organisations and trade unions in the development of climate change policy.docx (original) (raw)

This research focuses on the role of employers’ organisations and trade unions in the United Kingdom and the European Union in the development of climate change policy. The research was stimulated by the debate among stakeholders about the impacts of climate change policy on industry and its links to the labour market, and concerns that those impacts must be reflected in plans for the labour market if business is to continue to grow and if the transition to a low carbon economy is to be fair for workers. A mixed-method qualitative research approach has been employed involving analysis of the climate policy process and a case study focusing on the construction and transport sectors in the United Kingdom and European Union. The study also has employed the theoretical framework of ecological modernisation, which delineates the relationship between the nation-state, the economy and innovation, and civil society in the achievement of environmental outcomes - a theory that is increasingly used to guide public policy development. An important element in ecological modernisation is civil society, which is often directly or by inference a reference to environmental activists. This research addressed what was contended to be a gap in the existing theory by exploring the significance of labour market issues in climate change policy and the role of employers’ organisations and trade unions as a further element. Overall conclusions from the research are that while employers’ organisations and trade union organisations serve the needs of their members in an effective and efficient manner in the United Kingdom and European Union, they do not always see climate change policy as a priority. The research has established, however, that employers’ organisations and trade unions are an active and effective component of the fabric of civil society in relation to climate change negotiations, making a strong case for ecological modernisation theorists to move beyond the narrow conception of civil society as environmental activists. It is also concluded that proposals by the state concerning the transition to a low carbon economy are already and will continue to require changes to patterns of production and consumption: changes that will impact the world of work. As the representatives of business and workers, employers’ organisations and trade unions should therefore be tasked with the responsibility to ensure that climate policy development and implementation is considerate of the labour market impacts and that it delivers, as well as climate adaptation and mitigation outcomes, a just transition and a trained and efficient workforce.