In my last blog post, dated 13 December 2019, I stated that “perhaps some of the unresolved issues, will have been resolved” by the time of this final report. It turns out I was optimistic: overall, the final outcome of COP25 is disappointing even if it contains a few good results. 

What’s Good

• The outcome acknowledges that NDCs need to be significantly enhanced for the Glasgow COP, next year.
• A Gender Action Plan was approved, aiming to increase the participation of women in all UNFCCC processes and to support gender-responsive climate policies.
• There is a workplan on Response Measures that will deal with Just Transition and the creation of decent work and quality jobs.
• NGOs, including trade unions, collaborated well at this COP – perhaps better than at any other I have attended.

What’s Not So Good

• The worst thing is that a serious discussion on dealing with what has indeed become a climate emergency, was largely avoided. Australia, Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia and the USA created most of the resistance to a strong decision.
• Article 6 is unresolved: the discussion seems to have been hijacked by several Parties who wanted to be able to use emissions credits granted under the Kyoto Protocol towards the NDCs of the Paris Agreement. Since there is a large number of such credits outstanding, this would seriously undermine the Paris Agreement’s effectiveness. I would suspect that there are also those who imagine an emissions trading market as a place where a few would stand to make a lot of money. In any case no agreement could be reached on the protection of human rights or environmental integrity under a hypothetical emissions trading system. Therefore this entire discussion will be taken up again in Glasgow. Given that the discussions were failing to acknowledge the need to protect human and social rights, or even to guarantee progress on the environmental front, it is probably just as well that the text was not agreed upon and adopted. A bad agreement on emissions trading would clearly be worse than no agreement.
• Although some new financial commitments have been made, the finance mechanism is still inadequately funded, in particular to address the concerns of climate-related loss and damage. We will not achieve the Paris goals on the NDCs of rich countries alone; finance to help poorer nations must be part of the package, and is part of the UNFCCC commitment.
• Civil society observers (a category that includes trade union delegates) faced increasing difficulties accessing the discussions.

Trade unions wanted much more ambition and much stronger commitments to Just Transition from this COP, in discussions of climate response measures and elsewhere. We were successful in having Just Transition referenced in the Workplan on Response Measures; but there is no clarity on how they will be actualized. We also have the roll-out of the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, a significant win for trade unions; and not forgetting that the Just Transition words in the Paris Agreement still stand. However progress in the formal outcomes of COP25 has been limited despite our best efforts.

Much time was wasted by Parties choosing to debate trivialities. So another opportunity has not been fully utilized, and we can only hope that COP26 next year in Glasgow, Scotland will do a better job. That is the year where Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will be revised. Trade Unions therefore have one year to put pressure on their governments to sign up to the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, and to integrate Just Transition measures with their NDCs.

Here is the closing statement made on behalf of the trade union constituency, read by Francis Stuart of the Scottish Trade Union Confederation in the closing plenary (as COP26 will take place in Glasgow in 2020).

Dear President,

My name is Francis Stuart from the Scottish Trade Union Confederation. I’m speaking on behalf of the global workers movement, represented by the ITUC. We represent 207 million workers from 165 countries. 

What we have seen in the last two weeks is nothing short of a disgrace. Unions are bitterly disappointed. We were hoping to see governments agreeing on ambitious climate justice policies that responded to the climate emergency that is threatening our lives, jobs, livelihoods, communities and dignity. What we see is the polar opposite.

Civil society has been locked out – quite literally – while Government’s backtrack on what has been

Negotiated over the years. What we have seen here is nothing less than parties trying to dismantle the Paris Agreement. They are much more interested in trading emissions and making money from it, instead of actually reducing them. There is no respect for the science, no respect for human rights, no social justice, no ambition and no commitments to action.

This failure cannot be disentangled from the crises we see around the world.

• The rich getting richer while the poor suffer. This is exacerbated by climate change.
• Trade unionists under attack.
• Governments – including the Chilean Government – attacking their people.

We need bold transformative action from Government’s to pave the way for a Just Transition. Next year’s COP will be in my home city of Glasgow. We need to see climate measures to protect workers rights and create decent jobs.

• Workers have to be at the table to negotiate enhanced NDCs, to be ready to be presented in Glasgow not waiting for other governments to go first or delaying to see how it turns out;
• We want social protection policies for people that will be impacted;
• And we want the rich countries to pay up for the climate finance they have committed to for so many years.

None of this is reflected in this COP.

This COP has failed the people and the planet. People power, climate Justice.

COP25 – the very name makes it clear that this conference has been meeting annually for 25 years. There have been high points – like COP21 in Paris, where the Paris Agreement was reached; and COP24 in Katowice, where the Silesia Declaration on Just Transition was made – as well as low points, like Copenhagen’s COP15. Still, after 25 years of these, the world still is on a course towards catastrophic climate change.

The high point of these two weeks would be the roll-out of the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative. The ILO has long hesitated to take a leadership role in the climate debates; but it is essential that the jobs issue – the future of work in a carbon-constrained world – be taken up by them. However, this roll-out is a side event, not part of the COP25 discussions per se.

The low point is hard to pinpoint; rather there has been a sort of dispirited mood over much of this COP. The USA’s promised withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has emboldened a few other countries (who are still in) to prioritize narrow self interest and political theatre over progress. That tendency might have been overcome with effective leadership; sadly, that has been lacking. It should not be overlooked that this COP is being held in Madrid, after first Brazil, then Chile, reneged on their promises to host it. This speaks to the politics of discontent that are spreading across the world. The fact that unprecedented numbers of people are protesting and demanding climate action seems to have escaped the notice of at least some of the negotiators here.

The following comments reflect the situation as I know it as of Friday afternoon, 13 December. There is still a possibility of change before the ending of this COP, particularly as there are now rumours that the talks may be extended to Saturday, or even Sunday.

At the time of writing this blog entry, then, here is the state of play:

* although some new financial commitments have been made, the finance mechanism is still inadequately funded, in particular to address the concerns of climate-related loss and damage,

* Article 6 (carbon emissions trading mechanism), remains unresolved, we can not accept any deal that creates loopholes in the Paris Agreement,

* issues that should have been uncontroversial like establishing common time-frames for reporting and action, have been mired in pointless argument,

* efforts to address the gender dimension of climate change resulted in a bare minimum, 

* trade unions wanted much more ambition and much stronger commitments to Just Transition from this COP, in discussions of climate response measures and elsewhere. We were successful in having Just Transition referenced in the Workplan on Response Measures; but there is no clarity on how they will be actualized. We also have the roll-out of the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, a significant win for trade unions; and not forgetting that the Just Transition words in the Paris Agreement still stand. However progress in the formal outcomes of COP25 has been limited despite our best efforts.

So another opportunity has not been fully utilized, and we can only hope that COP26 next year in Glasgow, Scotland will do a better job. That is the year where Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will be revised. Trade Unions therefore have one year to put pressure on their governments to sign up to the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative, and to integrate Just Transition measures within their NDCs.

The UNFCCC will have work to do, calculating how much more ambition is needed in member states’ NDCs to reach the Paris goals. In any case, we will be looking for COP26 to deliver the stronger ambition and social commitments, human rights, labour rights, and Just Transition, that we need in the revised NDCs.

You may have noticed that the USA has been waging war on the World Trade Organization recently, refusing to allow the appointment of adjudicators. There are multiple reasons for this, of course, but I do not think that this is unrelated to the climate talks. Upon their formal withdrawal from the Paris Agreement next year, the USA would – in theory – be vulnerable to trade-related accusations that their failure to commit to climate action amounts to an unfair subsidy of their industries. Pulling the WTO’s teeth would make it much less likely for them to be held accountable in this area. Avoiding all responsibility seems to be the motive.

This is my second-last report from COP25. The final one may be tomorrow, or Sunday, or even Monday – as talks are now being extended. However I must now leave Madrid. In any case opportunities to influence the Parties are now very limited since most of the remaining meetings are closed sessions. The trade unions, along with other civil society groups: women, indigenous peoples, youth, have done our best. We have been well-prepared, we have been loud, we have forceful with our logic, we have been passionate in our beliefs. When the official results of this COP are published, we shall see how successful we have been. Perhaps some of the unresolved issues I have listed above, will have been resolved.

I will make a final report at that time.

An important event took place today: the launch of the “Climate Action for Jobs Initiative”.

As described by the ILO: “At the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019 forty-five countries made commitments to place jobs at the heart of ambitious climate action. To turn this human-centred agenda into concrete action, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres announced a Climate Action for Jobs initiative. The UN Secretary-General identified the International Labour Organization (ILO) to spearhead the implementation of the initiative. Partners from governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations, international institutions and academia bring in their values, expertise and network under a common agenda.”

Read more about Climate Action for Jobs.

At the event, UN Secretary General António Guterres spoke of the urgency to act. We are losing the battle on climate change at the moment, but this can change if we work together. Climate Action for Jobs could change the conversation.

Guy Ryder, Director-General of the ILO, called on the Parties to integrate into the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) the Climate Action for Jobs strategy, Sustainable Development Goals and Just Transition. He stressed the need for a skills strategy and tripartite agreements. According to Guy, a sustainable future is within our reach, if we act with speed, determination cooperation and intelligence.

Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecological Transition of Spain spoke on the example of the Spanish experience, particularly crafting a Just Transition approach for communities dependent on coal. The Spanish lesson can be replicated elsewhere. Forty-six countries have pledged to support the Climate Action Jobs Initiative, including a Just Transition, and we hope they will be joined by many others. We need to facilitate a genuine social dialogue including young people, workers, other civil society organizations.

In another example with lessons for the global community, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze described the intense social dialogue that went into their plan to de-commission the use of coal in Germany. Germany aims to develop former coal-dependent regions into new hubs for renewable energy and green technology, with a Just Transition for workers and communities.

Artur Lorkowski, Climate Change Ambassador of the COP24 Presidency, referred to the Silesia Declaration framework for the discussion on Just Transition. More than fifty countries have subscribed to the Silesia Declaration. He pointed out that Just Transition is not only about costs, it is also about opportunities.

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary of ITUC stated that the world is in an age of anger, conflict, and displacement. Just Transition has a role to play across many of these convergent areas of crisis. However, Spain, Germany, Canada, and other countries are committing to Just Transition. We have to think about the intellectual property, we have to open source our technology. We need a new social contract that includes all of this. No-one can be left behind. Let’s implement the ILO centenary declaration, let’s have climate action for jobs; we have to act now, to guarantee labour the protection floor on rights, occupational health and safety, minimal wage, social protection, and a Just Transition for climate action. If governments refuse to listen to their people they will have to deal with people’s anger.

Roberto Suárez Santos, Secretary-General of the International Organization of Employers suggested that local employers have to get on board, and to build relationships with civil society. He emphasized the importance of new skills and re-skilling of workers.

Finally Barbara Neira, youth representative from Chile spoke about institutional injustice and the need to transform society.

The full texts of Guy Ryder’s and UN Secretary General António Guterres’ speeches.

In other news, as expected, there was some fallout from the protest yesterday. UN security were not amused; some of our members were de-badged. Civil society was chastised for not respecting the rules, stalling the COP process, and “compromising the safety of delegates”.

Bert De Wel responded on behalf of trade unions, that stopping Parties from entering the plenary for 10 minutes was hardly a cause of the failure of this COP. Rather, it is the inability of the Parties to deal seriously with the issues during the one-and-a-half weeks that the COP has already been meeting. In fact we are trying to help the COP Presidency get a decision by putting pressure on the Parties.

The situation shows the link between climate justice, and social justice. Of course COP25 is unique in that it is meeting in Spain after first Brazil, then Chile, refused to host it due to their right-wing views and their attempts to suppress civil society in their own countries.

Later today I learned that those who had their badges removed, would be re-admitted, and civil society groups would not be punished for the action.

Most of the publicly-open negotiations are finished; and now the success or failure of COP25 rests with the ministers. We need the references in the final text for equity, social justice, and Just Transition. Unfortunately, the ministerial talks are behind closed doors so it is difficult to be sure what is happening. The bits of news we receive are not encouraging, however.

Youth delegates are the real stars of this COP. Although Greta Thunberg gets most of the media attention, there is quite a large youth delegation here. All of those who I have met, have been most impressive. We have heard of the impact of the Chilean protests on youth, including at least one fatality of a teenager hit with a tear gas grenade. Chile’s youth have woken up – they will continue to fight alongside workers and others for better social conditions while protecting the climate. We have heard from a Quebecoise youth activist explaining why she got involved.

“Why should we go to school to get a job that has no meaning, if we have no confidence in the future? We are all together against the system that makes the poor poorer and the rich richer. We are at the beginning of a new era, we are asking for justice, and we will not be mocked.”

Worldwide, there is a growing anger awakening in young people. Their future is being stolen from them, and they are demanding that it be given back.

Indigenous peoples, women, environmental groups and trade unions too have called on the Parties to act decisively and make COP25 live up to its slogan: “time for action”.  We shall soon learn if the leaders have listened.

Anger boiled over today, with civil society observers – including trade unions – coming together in protest outside of the afternoon’s plenary. The anger stems from the inability of this COP to solve seemingly simple issues. Among these are finance (including finance for loss and damage due to climate change), commitments to new ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions with Just Transition embedded in them, and a continuing failure to resolve a fair and transparent rule book for emissions trading that embeds human rights and does not create a huge loophole in the Paris Agreement.

As the second week continues, the space for civil society participation has been narrowing, and that contributes to the feeling of anger as well.

Everyone seems to agree that urgent action is needed, yet I fail to see that being translated into resolving the outstanding issues of this COP25. Something … leadership? courage? energy? … is seriously missing here in Madrid. Or seems to be. There is still time for the political leaders to prove me wrong, and emerge from their closed sessions with a viable answer to these questions.

At the morning trade union caucus, besides the usual round of reports, we heard about the need for a Just Transition for farmers. Although agriculture is not IndustriALL’s area of interest – at least not directly – it is worth paying attention to this important sector. Small farmers are being displaced by agricultural mega-corporations. A couple of large companies control the vast majority of seeds. Unsustainable practices are spreading. Some forty percent of all small farmers are women. Illegal land-grabs are becoming more and more common. Climate change is already impacting farmers, but their resistance to changing their practices is partly economic, partly fear, and partly anger at feeling scapegoated by society. Also consider that a major famine could be the final trigger for economic and political collapse, and create millions of climate refugees. Similar to the industrial sectors we represent, a sustainable agricultural policy is needed in every nation, and a Just Transition programme needs to be in place for farmers, their families, and the communities that rely on them.

Opening of High Level Segment

The work of the two-week-long COP consists of: week one, when experts and professional diplomats negotiate; and week two, when ranking ministers and heads of state complete negotiations and adopt the final outputs of the COP.

I was fortunate to gain access to the opening of the High Level Segment (access to observers is severely limited). From past COPs, I know that sometimes these opening statements can give a sign of the mood of the ministers and the prospects for a successful conclusion.

At this point in the COP the situation is usually either one of hopeful expectation that most of the text is agreed upon, even if there are areas still being negotiated; or a state of acrimonious dispute.

Here at COP25, I sense only a bit of both, but overall I would describe the mood of the High Level Segment as low-energy and somewhat discouraged.

I attribute this to two factors. 

First, the Chilean President of COP25, Ms. Carolina Schmidt, is operating under a political cloud due to the circumstances of the last-minute change in venue from Santiago to Madrid. But even ignoring that, she just hasn’t been very effective at motivating or inspiring the delegates to get the work done. 

Second, the announced withdrawal of the USA from the Paris Agreement is pretty demotivating to the Parties. Even though the USA is just one country, it’s big and economically important, and historically responsible for a large share of the greenhouse gases causing climate change. 

Some may be surprised to learn that the USA still has a delegation here (technically the USA remains in the Paris Agreement until next year’s COP) – whose interventions have been mostly unhelpful. Please, if you refuse to lead, and you refuse to follow, at least have the courtesy to get out of the way.

The formalities of the opening of the High Level Segment included statements from the following:

• Mr. Alejandro Sanz, described as “musician and citizen of the world”
• Mr. Petteri Taalas, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• H.E. Ms. Teresa Ribera, Minister for Ecological Transition of Spain
• Ms. Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary
• H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the United Nations General Assembly
• H.E. Ms. Carolina Schmidt, President of COP25

Short statements from a long list of heads of state and ministers, followed.

As I said above, my sense from listening to these opening statements and the first rounds of national statements is, unfortunately, not optimistic. Despite the crisis we face, there seemed to be a lack of energy in the room. While some nations made very positive statements, others took the opportunity to make political points that do not move the world closer to the goals of the Paris Agreement.

I am hopeful that the loud and energetic interventions of the youth delegates will change the course of this COP. The scientific evidence shows we are far from being on the right path. The window of opportunity is closing. We need decisions, we need leadership, we are out of time.