President Obama’s commitment to a 17% emission reduction

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Brothers and Sisters,

The Transport Workers Union welcomes President Obama’s commitment to a 17% emission reduction on 2005 levels by 2020 announced on the eve of his trip to Copenhagen, Denmark for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. The United States, with a population that is just 5 percent of the global total, is responsible for 30 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere. The President’s commitment reflects his willingness for the U.S. to play its part in addressing the climate emergency.

We recognize that the President is concerned to connect the U.S. emissions reduction commitment based on domestic legislation passed by the House and now being considered in the Senate. We urge the Senate to solidify the U.S. commitment and adopt the legislation introduced by Senators Kerry and Boxer.

However, we note that President Obama’s commitment of a 17% reduction on 2005 levels is 4% below 1990 levels. While acknowledging the difficult challenges ahead, TWU considers it vital that we find ways to meet emission targets as dictated by science. To that end, TWU joins the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in urging the U.S. to pursue, as aggressively as possible, a science-based emissions reduction scenario as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. That is a 25-40% reduction on 1990 levels by 2020 for developed countries.

TWU believes a science-based approach to emissions reductions is not only necessary to address environmental concerns, but it will be good for our economy and for working families. A science-based target will generate a massive increase of green jobs in public mass transit, renewable energy, green manufacturing, energy-efficient construction and building retrofits, and will positively affect other sectors as well. The more ambitious the target, the stronger the political signal to private investors and innovators who wish to serve the green economy. With the U.S. suffering from the more than 10 % unemployment rate and declining living standards, we need to fulfill the promise of green jobs sooner, not later.

Additionally, TWU insists on full protections for workers negatively impacted by climate policies in accordance with the principle of just transition. Workers in energy intensive industries should not be asked to shoulder a disproportionate burden. The Administration has the power to make sure the transition to a low carbon economy is pursued in a way that is fair to workers and supportive of impacted communities.

Our nation stands at the threshold of a dramatic transformation toward a clean, green and sustainable economy. Ambitious reduction targets for 2020 and beyond can help drive this transformation, and we offer our support to the President in his efforts to bring about a fair and ambitious global agreement in Copenhagen and beyond.