Lindsay McNaught backed the motion, saying climate change isn’t a distant threat — it’s here now and already changing members’ lives and workplaces. UNISON has a proud history of stepping up and this motion shows ambition and urgency — but to turn that into real action, we need to work together and do it well.
They called on the new NEC to make sure the Energy and Water, Environment and Transport (WET) service groups are at the heart of UNISON’s climate work — because these members aren’t just affected by climate policy, they are essential to delivering it.
Across the country, Energy and WET members are doing the frontline work of the transition — upgrading grids, installing renewables and EV chargers, improving energy efficiency, managing water systems in droughts and floods, keeping public transport and waste services running — and much more.
These members know the systems, the risks and realities — so UNISON must make sure their voices shape the union’s climate policy, to avoid mistakes and missed opportunities.
This is not a challenge — it’s an invitation to work together. With their insight, UNISON can shape a just transition that is bold, effective and fair.
Conference was urged to support the motion — and to make sure the NEC builds the just transition with everyone at the table, especially those already delivering it.