This side event at the Bonn Climate Change Conference (SB 58) is co-hosted with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Fédération des travailleurs et des travailleuses du Québec (FTQ).

Implementing just transition policies that affected workers and communities can trust will be crucial to ramping up climate action. It is imperative for the worker’s view to be recognised in the Global Stocktake process (GST). Similarly, the work programme on just transition will benefit from strong political conclusions by the parties on the urgency of climate action.

A just transition based on the fundamental labour rights of the ILO (as presented in the ILO Guidelines on just transition) that guarantee freedom of association, collective bargaining and social dialogue will help to deliver social justice which is crucial to scale up climate policies in accordance with the IPCC recommendations. 

In this event, representatives from trade unions, governments and business will share their views on how just transition policies and measures contribute to successful climate action.

Representatives will be asked to reflect on (1) their national experience with just transition policies, (2) their expectations for the work programme on just transition, (3) how just transition will be integrated in the GST conclusions and finally (4) how this relates to the trade union and workers dimension of just transition. 

The session will be concluded by a summary of the debate and an outlook on the result of SB58 and COP28.

The side event is scheduled between 16:15 and 17:30 CEST (i.e. 10:15 to 11:30 EDT) and is open for in-person participation to accredited participants of the Bonn Climate Change Conference. The venue is Room Bonn at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany. All are invited to follow the livestream on the official UNFCCC YouTube channel.