Coal Action Network Aotearoa was well represented at the recent ECO (Environment and Conservation Organisations of Aotearoa New Zealand) Conference in Auckland – which saw environmentalists and the union movement further cementing a relationship which has grown increasingly close in recent years.
Climate Justice Aotearoa has produced an excellent report of the conference on their website, which we have lightly adapted here:
This year’s ECO conference saw what Jeanette Fitzsimons of CANA described as a coming together of “natural allies” with environmentalists and unions exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with realising a just transition for workers and communities here in Aotearoa.
“A just transition means moving to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy that maximises the benefits of climate action while minimising hardships for workers and their communities.” – Gary Cranston of Unite Union.
The panel began with an inspiring video presentation by Sean Sweeney from Trade Unions for Energy Democracy who introduced us to the work of TUED and provided us with many inspiring examples of alliances between environmental and worker’s movements.
Coal Action Network Aotearoa’s main contribution to Just Transition work in Aotearoa has been our Jobs After Coal: A Just Transition for New Zealand Communities report – you can read more about the report, and its reception, on our Jobs After Coal page.
Let’s keep this conversation going as we move on to making this just transition happen in the real world. You can contact the panelists as follows:
Sean Sweeney : Trade Unions for Energy Democracy : sweeneygli@gmail.com
Gary Cranston : Unite Union – Climate Justice Aoteraoa
Jared Abbott : First Union
Jeanette Fitzsimons : Coal Action Network Aotearoa
Sam Huggard : NZ Council of Trade Unions
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