Moving the motion on climate change, Stephen stressed that climate change is here and now — already costing lives through extreme weather, floods and pollution. The WHO has called climate change a “serious and escalating threat to human health.”
2024 saw record temperatures again, and the Met Office predicts the same for the coming years. Stephen warned we can’t ignore this — action is urgent.
He criticised climate change deniers and highlighted that some parties like Reform UK are campaigning to scrap Net Zero targets, putting our members working in this area under attack — we must support them.
Stephen argued that money should go to renewables, public ownership of energy, retrofitting homes, and good public transport — not false solutions like new nuclear or carbon capture. He also made a strong case for keeping fossil fuels in the ground.
For UNISON, climate change is a core issue — already impacting public services and members’ working lives. UNISON calls for a Just Transition that supports workers in fossil fuel industries, those in care, health and education, and communities in the Global South who suffer most despite contributing least to the crisis.
UNISON is increasing the number of Green Reps, attracting new activists, and building bargaining agendas on climate — including demands for:
- Workplace climate risk assessments
- Free public transport for public service workers
- Retraining workers for green jobs
- Cycling facilities and transfer schemes
- Pension fund divestment from fossil fuels
- Policies to protect workers in extreme weather
He called for “a year of green activism — not just talk”: we must challenge employers and government, negotiate for Green and Just Transitions in workplaces, and fight for public ownership of energy and water.
Stephen closed by saying UNISON is leading the way — and must continue to do so.