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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has acknowledged the key role labour plays in fighting climate change. The UN body has granted the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) “official constituency” in the climate change process.

ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder remarked, “Trade unions believe climate change is not only an environmental issue, but also is about social rights and rights to development, and that is the contribution we bring to the UN process.”
 
The recognition by the UN will mean greater opportunity by the ITUC to advance issues such as the need for Just Transition for workers to be part of climate change mitigation strategies.
 
The ITUC supports the call for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and agrees with the benchmark targets called for by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
 
“The UN must place workers and workplaces at the core of its strategy to tackle climate change,” Ryder said.

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