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ITF brings call for a just transition to COP28 climate negotiations

news Press Release 30 Nov 2023

Dubai, 30 November 2023 – As world leaders gather for the global climate summit, COP28, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is calling for workers’ needs to be at the forefront of negotiations on the future of transport and climate financing. 

The ITF report, ‘Climate Justice, Worker Justice: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Future’, outlines key demands needed to achieve a worker-led transition to a sustainable, resilient transport system: 

  • Raise climate ambition: committing to cutting transport emissions by fast-tracking energy transition and ramping up the shift to sustainable transport modes  

  • Close the resilience gap: stepping up investment to climate-proof transport systems and bring in safeguards for transport workers against extreme temperatures and natural disasters 

  • Deliver on climate finance: with critical negotiations on post-2025 financing (NCQG) and Loss and Damage taking full account of action needed on transport and a just transition for workers 

  • Commit to just transition plans for every transport sector: with workers at the centre, and following the global stock take, address the just transition gap in national climate plans (NDCs). 

ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton said, “Workers must be at the heart of climate action in transport. The ITF has made important steps forward, joining up with key transport employers and cities as the climate emergency escalates – but we need global policies and financing. As leaders convene at COP28, it is time for them to take action to make climate justice and worker justice a reality.” 

ENDS

Links to other relevant content:

https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/training-seafarers-decarbonized-future

https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/transport-companies-and-unions-sign-sustainability-and-just-transition-pact-0

https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/just-transition-transport-workers-foundation-sustainable-and-decarbonised-transport-pathways

https://www.itfglobal.org/en/news/investing-in-public-transport-investing-in-our-future

 

Media contacts: ITF: media@itf.org.uk

Note: The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, held from 30 November until 12 December 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai.

About the ITF: The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a democratic, affiliate-led federation recognised as the world’s leading transport authority. We fight passionately to improve working lives; connecting trade unions from 147 countries to secure rights, equality and justice for their members. We are the voice for nearly 20 million working women and men in the transport industry across the world

 

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