- Conference
- 2025 National Higher Education Conference
- Date
- 10 October 2024
- Decision
- Carried
Climate change is set to be one of the defining issues of this generation. Climate change related impacts are increasing year on year with the most vulnerable and marginalised in our communities affected disproportionately.
UNISON has been engaged on the climate debate since 1994 recognising it as a trade union issue affecting all workers, their families and the communities they live in.
Tackling the urgent issue of climate change requires serious action at universities to reduce emissions and develop innovation, but many of the solutions required are already well understood. These involves a joined-up approach to just transition – moving away at speed from fossil fuels whilst guaranteeing funding and opportunities for all, in terms of well paid, skilled jobs as an alternative in renewable energy.
Public services are key in addressing climate change in the UK. Motion 63 passed at National Delegate Conference 2024 rightly stated that Climate change policy in public services is inextricably linked to policies on public health, the cost-of-living crisis, education and skills and almost all other areas of public policy.
All public services have to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (2045 in Scotland) with most of the largescale transformations needing to be in place by 2030 for that target to be met. Higher Education (HE) is no exception and has a role to play in greening our workplaces.
Universities are centres of innovation including on the solutions needed to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis and HE students are some of the most active on this issue. There is no better place to start getting engaged on climate change.
Transformation plans are already being drawn up or enacted across HE and our members need to be at the table when these changes are being discussed and decided.
Therefore, conference supports the work UNISON is already doing in this area and calls on the Higher Education Service Group Executive Committee to:
1)Advertise, and encourage the take up of, the new Branch Environmental Officer role in all HE Branches;
2)Promote the Green UNISON campaign, newsletter, activities and resources;
3)Share and promote the new UNISON Bargaining on Green Issues in the Workplace guide as a vital tool for members and branches wanting to engage with their employers on this issue.
4)Encourage HE branches to mark Green UNISON week each year with local events or activities.
5)Include a question in next year’s HE survey asking about current level of green activity in each employer and branch, so we can share good practice examples.