(4 December 2018) On 3 December 2018, around 40 national leaders adopted the “Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration” at the start of the COP24 in Katowice, Poland. This Declaration is an initiative of the Polish COP24 Presidency following an intense trade unions advocacy effort to ensure a just transition that leaves nobody behind.
EPSU welcomes the official endorsement of this Declaration which shows that national leaders acknowledge the need to ensure a just transition for workers and local communities. This comes at a particularly important time, because at the COP24 parties are expected to agree on a “rule book” that explains how they need to deliver on their commitments under the Paris Agreement. EPSU highlights that the only acceptable choice is a fair, inclusive and just transition, that takes all workers and all citizens into account, including the ones affected by energy poverty.
EPSU sees the adoption of this Declaration as a step in the right direction. However, much more needs to be done. We demand that states translate their commitment to a just transition into concrete policies developed through democratic participation and social dialogue.
Just transition for EPSU is based on an energy democracy approach and on the public ownership of energy production, transmission and distribution, as we underline in our recent publication (see here). In EPSU’s view, a just transition also implies solid public investments with an objective of quality public services and citizen-friendly regulatory frameworks. Just transition puts people over profits and addresses inequalities through a strong role of public services.
EPSU will participate at the COP24 in Katowice. We will continue to advocate for a just transition that takes everybody into consideration in the efforts to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees, as highlighted in the Paris Agreement and the latest IPCC report.
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