Green reps have a big role to play

Aug 4 2008 by Kevin Rowan, The Journal

THE Gathering Storm: Estimates vary on how long we have left to change our behaviour before we reach the ‘tipping point’ beyond which there can be no recovery from climate change.

At each extreme we have views that it is either too late or that radical action is not yet required; in the middle a consensus is emerging that sees the next eight to 12 years as a critical period.

The more credible science suggests that action can be productive, but that it needs to be radical, inclusive and comprehensive.

Most influencers have a pretty clear understanding that actions need to be global. Both the climate and the economic relations to climate change mitigation are the stuff of geo-political negotiations – there is an almost desperate need for strong international leadership on this issue – as well as a case for international collectivism to overcome the reluctance of the last great superpower of the US to take action.

Global leadership on climate change and the economy will inform the actions and behaviours of business and industry, whose reluctance to act has, so far, been based on economic issues.

Clearly there is a major case for individual actions, too, and it is here that trade unions need to do more, with the support of government and employers, to step up to the mark and take these issues on.

Trade union representatives in the workplace have an outstanding, if largely unsung, record on positively impacting upon the behaviour of individuals and on influencing the culture of organisations, whether it has been health and safety, equality and diversity or, more recently, learning and skills.

Workplace trade union environment reps offer an opportunity for unions and employers to work together on this most immediate challenge.

Union reps have the trust and confidence of the people they work with and, as such, they are one step up on other parties in influencing behaviour and attitudes.

With the right support, ‘green reps’ can help to raise awareness and understanding among colleagues on a wide range of issues, from energy saving to waste management, as well as negotiating environmental policies with employers. Experience shows, too, that while the workplace is an effective space for changing behaviours and attitudes, the impact of so doing goes beyond the workplace, into social and personal behaviours.

On this issue, too, trade unions can be a radical part of the solution.

Kevin Rowan is Regional Secretary of Northern TUC