We believe UNISON has a major role to play in lobbying for improvements to tackle global climate change and other major environmental campaigns.

We believe that if we are to tackle climate change we have to change the way we work. Over two thirds of UK carbon dioxide emissions are work related.

The public sector alone accounts for approximately 5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per annum. And as a survey of members carried out by the Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee (TUSDAC) has shown, there is overwhelming support for the introduction of green measures at work and for unions to do more to protect the environment.

Changing the way we work means negotiations between the workforce and the organisations that they work for Trade unions have already begun to play a significant part in negotiating energy efficiency measures, green travel plans and reducing waste.

Along with other trade union members of the Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee (TUSDAC) UNISON are now lobbying government to recognise the role that trade union environmental representatives can play in helping to tackle climate change at work, by:

• carrying out environmental audits and walkabout surveys
• making environmental risk assessments
• communicating with members about the environment at work
• working with managers to establish agreed environmental management systems

For more details of UNISON's campaigning on Green issues click here