Resolution on Climate Change of the UITBB Executive Committee Meeting in Tokyo

UITBB Executive Committee Meeting, Tokyo, December 8-9, 2009 Resolution on Climate Change The UITBB Executive Committee meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of our International Union, declares that the issue of climate change is a fundamental challenge that mankind cannot ignore. The UITBB acknowledges that the scientific evidence is overwhelming in establishing that our planet is warming at an unprecedented rate with the excessive use of energy from fossil fuels, the principal cause. The UITBB rejects the arguments of those who for reasons of greed or ignorance want to dismiss this pressing threat to humanity. Climate change and global warming are too important for the well being of future generations to be dismissed as the imagination of green activists or a left-wing conspiracy. The UITBB believes that just as peace is union business so too is the issue of climate change and the future health of our planet. Just as we have a history of taking a strong stand against nuclear weapons so too should we take a strong stand in defence of the health of our planet and its fragile ecological systems. The dominance of neo-liberal capitalism across our planet in recent decades has exacerbated the environmental challenge – any economic model which places corporate profits first will leave the earth’s environment in a precarious position. The most effective way to tackle the crisis of climate change is through the development of a powerful grass-roots movement that works to pressure governments and big corporations. Unions need to be in the vanguard of such a mass movement. We call on all participants in the historic Copenhagen Summit to approach the meeting with goodwill and a robust determination to act in the interests of the whole planet. We especially call on the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter for many decades, the United States, to face up to its responsibilities. Far too long the US administration refused to sign the Kyoto protocol and refused to take the challenge of climate change seriously. The time for this negligent attitude has passed and now all nations, particularly the world’s major economic powers, must be prepared to act with concrete measures to slow the production of carbon emissions. In the crafting of solutions the UITBB indicates that we reject and condemn any approach that would place a disproportionate burden on developing countries, in particular the approach where big Western corporations can purchase carbon credits in a tokenistic fashion, while expecting the developing world to make serious cuts in emissions. Developing countries did not cause this world wide problem and must not be expected to shoulder the burden of finding solutions. Developed countries should be prepared to assist developing countries with new low carbon, green technologies. Economic development that lifts the poor out of poverty through sustainable economic growth is fundamental and must be supported. We wish to particularly highlight that military conflicts and wars are one of the most serious sources of carbon emissions and other environmental degradation. The ongoing struggle for world peace is simultaneously the fight for a world with lower carbon emissions. The UITBB also believes that in the course of tackling the climate change issue greater support and respect should be given to key multilateral institutions such as the UN. The UN must be strengthened as one of the most important international institutions ensuring responsible, sound and universal action to pass on a sustainable future to our children. We in the UITBB being from the building, wood and construction sector know that our industry can play a very important role in reducing the use of energy and minimizing the carbon footprint. We call on governments, employers and trade unions to work for the more efficient design of buildings, for the retro-fitting of existing buildings and structures, and for the use of green technologies in the construction and operations of buildings over the whole life of these structures that our members create. The UITBB strongly believes that a new world is possible where there is no contradiction between full employment, the development of living standards of the working people, sustainable economic growth and the protection of our climate. Tokyo, December 9th, 2009