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CUPE is an active member of the International Trade Union Conference (ITUC) delegation at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Cancun this week. It is very encouraging to meet all of the labour movement representatives who care about climate change and are proposing solutions.

COP16/CMP6 is the 16th edition of Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) and the sixth Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP).

One of CUPE’s main objectives at the conference is to ensure that language used in the ITUC’s Just Transition and Decent Work policies is kept within the Shared Vision section of the UNFCCC’s Copenhagen deal. CUPE is coordinating this effort with the Canadian Labour Congress.

CUPE is also working with other environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) from Canada, mainly through the Canadian branch of the Climate Action Network (CAN). CUPE delegates are present at CAN international meetings every day.

The CUPE delegation also takes part in many side events organized by NGOs. These sessions and workshops relate to CUPE’s issues or sectors including energy, aviation, development and others. In addition to being extremely informative and full of new ideas, these events are great occasions to network with organizations from all across the world. CUPE delegates will bring the best new ideas back to Canada.

On December 1, CUPE delegates attended at an important briefing by Canada’s main negotiator, Mr. Guy Saint-Jacques. He provided an overview of climate change negotiations to this point and fielded questions from Canadian labour and environmental delegates.

On December 2, CUPE participated in the World of Work event, organized by the ITUC. The event focused on labour actions and solutions to climate change.