Challenges and Prospects for Trade Union Environmentalism

Abstract

This contribution addresses a core issue raised by the engagement of trade unions with climate change mitigation: How do trade unions come to terms with the varying interests of their members and how do they articulate these interests and societal concerns when it comes to climate change mitigation? Looking at trade unions across different socio-geographical contexts, including North–South, the contribution analyses trade union responses to decarbonisation policies at international, national, sectoral and company levels. In the light of these responses, trade union engagement with climate change is situated and discussed within the tradition of broader debates over the articulation by trade unions of short-and long-term goals, and of overall objectives and sectoral priorities.