Message from Dennis Zulu, ILO Caribbean Director, on the Just Transition Declaration
The ILO is already supporting countries to achieve a just transition through the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative. Launched by the United Nations Secretary-General during the 2019 Climate Summit, this important programme is being spearheaded and advanced by the ILO to connect the climate and decent work agendas.
12 November 2021
The ILO Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean welcomes the Just Transition Declaration, an urgent call for climate action agreed on 4 November 2021 at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26). Its aim is to deliver sustainable, green and inclusive economic growth.
The Declaration is of critical importance to achieving resilience in our region, which is one of the most climate-vulnerable in the world. This is despite the region being one of the lowest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of a warming planet, climate hazards such as hurricanes and drought continue to intensify and threaten the people, livelihoods and economies of Caribbean countries.
By providing a framework for policy development, the Declaration seeks to help countries achieve socio-economic resilience through green growth, decent work, and economic prosperity in the transition to net zero emissions. Its recommendations are also aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of keeping within an increase of 1.5°C - a temperature threshold that can reduce dangers to human health, livelihoods, food security, human security, water supply and economic growth.
It is also worth highlighting that the Declaration reflects the ILO’s 2015 Guidelines for a Just Transition, which outline the necessary steps towards well-managed environmentally sustainable economies and societies, decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty.
Through partnerships with our member States and development agencies in the region, the ILO will advance Just Transition Declaration through the promotion and application of International Labour Standards. Our ongoing collaboration will also advance the specific principles of the Declaration by:
We look forward to continuing to work with our partners across the region to develop opportunities under the Declaration. We are committed to supporting Caribbean workers, employers, governments and other stakeholders so that they are well-prepared and equipped to achieve a climate resilient future of work for all.
The Declaration is of critical importance to achieving resilience in our region, which is one of the most climate-vulnerable in the world. This is despite the region being one of the lowest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. As a result of a warming planet, climate hazards such as hurricanes and drought continue to intensify and threaten the people, livelihoods and economies of Caribbean countries.
By providing a framework for policy development, the Declaration seeks to help countries achieve socio-economic resilience through green growth, decent work, and economic prosperity in the transition to net zero emissions. Its recommendations are also aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of keeping within an increase of 1.5°C - a temperature threshold that can reduce dangers to human health, livelihoods, food security, human security, water supply and economic growth.
It is also worth highlighting that the Declaration reflects the ILO’s 2015 Guidelines for a Just Transition, which outline the necessary steps towards well-managed environmentally sustainable economies and societies, decent work for all, social inclusion and the eradication of poverty.
Through partnerships with our member States and development agencies in the region, the ILO will advance Just Transition Declaration through the promotion and application of International Labour Standards. Our ongoing collaboration will also advance the specific principles of the Declaration by:
- Supporting workers, communities and regions that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the move away from carbon-intensive economies.
- Promoting social dialogue and engagement between governments, employers’ and workers’ representatives, and other groups affected by the transition to green economies.
- Implementing economic strategies that support clean energy, foster resource-efficient economic growth, create income and decent jobs, and reduce poverty and inequality.
- Creating decent jobs for people in their local areas, coupled with reskilling and training, and social protection for those in need.
- Ensuring that existing and new supply chains create decent work for all, including the most marginalized, with respect for human rights.
We look forward to continuing to work with our partners across the region to develop opportunities under the Declaration. We are committed to supporting Caribbean workers, employers, governments and other stakeholders so that they are well-prepared and equipped to achieve a climate resilient future of work for all.