The Labour party announced their new Green Prosperity Plan in a speech by leader of the party, Sir Keir Starmer, in Edinburgh on Monday.
Outlining the key elements of the party’s plan, the Labour leader called it “the race of a lifetime,” and added “the prize is real.”
The plan aims to make the UK a global green leader through a just transition to net zero. Sir Keir added: “We’re going to throw everything at this: planning reform, procurement, long-term finance, R&D, a strategic plan for skills and supply chains. A new plan for a new settlement … all pulling together for a simple, unifying priority: British power for British jobs.”
Earlier this year, UNISON launched a report detailing the views of its members which demonstrated the increased interest and momentum in the union to take more action to pursue a just transition to net zero. It identifies the key role which public services have in decarbonising the UK.
Speaking of Labour’s announcement, UNISON general secretary, Christina McAnea said: “The UK can’t afford to sit back and watch the climate crisis unfold.
“UNISON has long campaigned for a proper plan that gets on with decarbonisation, fast tracks investment into renewable energies, creates new jobs and saves our planet.
“Unlike the Conservative government in Westminster that sleepwalks from one crisis to another, it’s encouraging to see Labour making the vital issue of climate change a priority.
“The immense change needed to get us to net zero in time, will impact all workers and communities. UNISON wants Labour’s Green energy plans to be part of a wider strategy to ensure a just transition for all.
“So we plan to work with Labour to make sure public sector workers – particularly those in the energy sector, many of whom are our members – are not left behind.
“A challenge on this scale needs up-front government investment, and future generations are relying on the next Labour government to get this right.”
You can find out more about what UNISON is doing on climate change, including our report on a fully funded plan for getting to net-zero in public services by 2050 and join UNISON’s green network here
