Addressing climate change and taking meaningful climate action will require a restructuring of our economy. It presents one of the greatest opportunities for our country to create well paid public jobs and has already inspired entrepreneurship in communities across the country. Workers and people must be at the heart of every climate decision we make. It cannot be dictated by the market.

Labour support the trade union movement’s Just Transition to a low carbon economy and we would provide a Job Guarantee to any worker who loses their job due to climate action. Labour want to create a Just Transition Fund to invest in state enterprises that are helping workers and communities to make the transition to a low carbon economy.

We would transfer workers to new roles in other state enterprises, with retraining and upskilling provided.

Labour would invest in the ESB, Coillte and Bord na Móna to create new sustainable jobs in clean energy, recycling and land management. This will ensure a positive future for workers and for regions that are most at risk from the loss of polluting industries. Labour would also expand the number of apprenticeships, which will help us meet our ambitious climate targets.

Almost every element of climate action falls under the umbrella of a Just Transition. Labour want to focus on supporting community projects, and above all, creating a fair and equal society as we take meaningful climate action.