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Making the net zero transition fair for workers

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Environment news
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A man in a high vis vest and hard hat stands in front of wind turbines looked at a clipboard

Ministers must work with unions to make the journey to net zero fair for workers, and guarantee good jobs for those leaving carbon heavy industries for a new green economy, say researchers.

In the past “unjust” transitions have created major regional inequalities – with former mining communities still recovering from closures over 40 years ago – and experts say it is vital those mistakes are not repeated.

Researchers from Leeds University Business School have published a policy brief on “Workers, trade unions and Just Transitions in the UK” with recommendations for both government and trade unions.

The paper, by Professor Vera Trappmann, Dr Jo Cutter and Dr Ursula Balderson, is part of the business school’s Just Transitions project. The project looks at policies around the world that aim to protect workers and vulnerable groups in the move towards net zero.

The climate crisis is on our doorstep and needs swift action from government, businesses, local authorities and other stakeholders

Professor Vera Trappmann, Leeds University Business School

Professor Trappmann said: “Cutting carbon emissions and meeting ambitious climate targets will demand major changes to many parts of life, including jobs and work. We want that to happen fairly, without leaving anyone behind.

She added: “It is important for our research to inform government, trade unions and other bodies. 

“The climate crisis is on our doorstep and needs swift action from government, businesses, local authorities and other stakeholders. We all need to recognise more clearly that action on net zero policy affects workers and how they are engaged is instrumental for informing a democratic and just process.” 

Dr Cutter added: “I am excited that we are kicking off our policy brief series with recommendations for the UK. We will add an international comparison later this year.”

Their new paper outlines 11 recommendations for government, and showcases innovative approaches, whilst also highlighting that a lot more needs to be done to make the concept of a “just transition” meaningful to workers and communities. The researchers highlight examples of good practice that need to be scaled up. 

Cutting carbon emissions and meeting ambitious climate targets will demand major changes to many parts of life, including jobs and work

Professor Vera Trappmann, Leeds University Business School

For example, Yorkshire and Humber TUC set up a network of shop stewards and union officials in “high carbon” industries, who then worked with climate experts on helping workers in the move away from fossil fuelled power, and in new job opportunities, for example, in the growing North Sea renewables industry. This work has fed directly into the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission (Y&HCC) to ensure that just transition is one of the core organising principles for the regional climate plan. The TUC has also worked with Y&HCC and local councils on energy-saving retrofits for social housing, and revamped training for union green reps to talk to workers and management about decarbonisation.

The paper also highlights Scotland’s Just Transitions Commission, as well as a “skills passport” scheme that helped North Sea oil workers move into new green jobs without having to pay for expensive training and accreditations for competencies they already had. 

Dr Cutter said: “While these examples point to the ways in which a fair and just transition could be supported, by comparing the experience in the UK to global developments, the research has also highlighted specific recommendations for the UK government and union movement.”

Thick white smoke coming out of chimneys at a power station.

 

The 11 recommendations to government include:

  • Enshrining future generations’ chance of good quality jobs and better living standards in law – following Wales’ example with its Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

  • Government departments – including the Treasury, DWP, housing, transport and others - communicating and working together around industrial strategy, jobs and skills

  • Setting up national Just Transitions Commission so unions and government can collaborate, learning from the Scottish Just Transitions Commission

  • Creating a Just Transitions Observatory to document good practice
  • Ensuring green jobs are good jobs – with union recognition, decent pay, health and safety standards and fair pensions
  • Following the US Inflation Reduction Act and making public procurement and investment give preference to local contractors and employers on green projects

The report also sets out recommendations to trade unions, including:

  • Integrating the green agenda with existing campaigns on pay, health, technology and others
  • Taking a farsighted view in the debates between protecting workers in declining fossil fuels industries, and the green transition – with unions at different ends of the debate engaging constructively
  • Collaborating with existing environmental movements on the green jobs and climate justice agendas

The UK policy brief is part of a series of policy briefs that look at case studies and recommendations for a Just Transition across 14 different countries. Papers on Just Transition, energy transition and Skills Germany were published late last year, and the remaining reports are expected in summer 2025.

Further information