Speech de Sharan Burrow, Secrétaire Général de la CSI

Sharan Burrow, Secrétaire Général de la CSI vient de donner un speech à la Conférence Climat à Cancun.

The worlds trade unions support strong and urgent climate action. Our  Governments hold the fate of the planet and the green economy jobs of the future in their hands. Here, today we call on those Governments to lift expectations and take home a result.

Governments know the urgency.  Millions of workers and their families face destruction of their lands and livelihoods from extreme weather events and some 220 million are unemployed and desperate for a secure green job.  Yet it seems to us that governments remain timid in the wake of their failure at Copenhagen. The sense of urgency with the courage to act in solidarity is not on display.

Governments must raise their sights. We expect ambitious targets, we expect fair climate financing for the most vulnerable nations, we expect a deal on REDD, we expect a commitment to transparency and we demand the respect for workers which requires the commitments of all governments to a just transition.

Durban must be the destination for serious climate action. But real collective  leadership must emerge today if the world is to see an ambitious binding global agreement that puts climate action and green jobs on track for a secure and sustainable future.

Sharan Burrow General Secretary  -  International Trade Union Confederation on behalf of Trade Unions