Workers back climate action and support the move to a greener economy, but only a quarter believe that the government’s current plans for climate action will create many new jobs in their local area, according to research published today
The research found the vast majority of workers support the UK moving to a greener economy to tackle climate change, with even greater support among younger workers.
But only a quarter of workers agree that the government is doing enough to move the UK to a green economy, compared with four in ten who believe ministers are not doing enough.
Most agree that the government should invest in retraining and re-skilling workers for a greener economy, with just three per cent disagreeing.
Workers want a say on climate action in their workplace
Two in three workers say it is important that their employer is actively helping to tackle climate change. But only one in three say that their employer has put measures in place in the workplace to help tackle climate change.
Most also believe employers should consult their workers about how their company’s operations need to change as part of the move to a greener economy. But only one in eight as been given the opportunity to share ideas on how to tackle climate change. And this drops to one in ten workers earning less than £29,000.
The TUC is calling on the government and employers to get on with climate action – and make sure it delivers more good jobs. The TUC has shown how investing £85 billion to upgrade our homes, infrastructure, and industry for a green future could deliver 1.24 million good green jobs. And employers must cooperate with their workforces and unions on how each business and sector changes their operations to deal with the impact of climate change.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Every job should be a good job, with a decent wage. Changing our economy and society to deal with climate change gives us the chance to create millions of new good green jobs.
“Workers are ready. They know this has to happen. But ministers are doing nowhere near enough to create good new jobs and future proof the industries that are delivering good jobs now.
“Across the country workers and unions are coming together to innovate and create worker-led decarbonisation plans. Ministers and employers need to get with the programme – and deliver the just transition we all need.”
