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Latest UCU 'green futures' news

18 June 2020

The work of our team has understandably been focused on the health and safety of our members recently, but climate work has continued and I'm pleased to announce some forthcoming events and initiatives that will be rolled out over the next few weeks and months.

UCU's 'green new deal for colleges & universities' launch

In partnership with SOS-UK and to coincide with ITUC's Global Day of Workplace Action on 24 June, we will be launching our green new deal claim for colleges and universities.

The green new deal brings together policy set by both UCU and NUS within a negotiating and bargaining framework. Demands include that institutions declare a Climate emergency, agree concrete time limited action plans on embedding meaningful environmental policies, climate proof their curriculums, sign up to ethical investment and banking strategies, review food and land use, travel policies and carbon and energy management commitments. 

A crucial element of UCU's climate change policy has been building alliances with student organisations and their campaigns. The green new deal for colleges & universities which we have developed together will see our members and our students coordinating with each other to seek urgent and meaningful changes from our institutions.

UCU Fund the Future - green futures

As you will all no doubt be aware, UCU has launched its Fund the Future campaign last week. Check out the campaign website and video here .

Part of this campaign going forward will be making the case that further and higher education institutions need to be committed to a green, sustainable and just recovery. There will be a bargaining and campaigns toolkit issued together with webinars on how branches can use a green new deal approach to help save jobs, embed curriculum change and ultimately to 'build back better'. 

The Fund the Future webinar series is currently being  scheduled, but in the meantime, I am keen to hear from you, our green reps, as to how you think the union can strengthen this element of our campaign. I would therefore like to invite those of you who are interested in starting this discussion to an on-line meeting, Monday 29 June at 3.00pm. In order to keep the meeting manageable and to facilitate a quality discussion, numbers will be limited, so please email Ronnie Kershaw to reserve your place. Further details and meeting links will be sent out next week. 

Coming Soon - UCU climate themed wall chart: 'The Future We Choose'

Our brand new Climate Themed UCU wall chart 'The Future We Choose' will be published soon. This will be a striking addition for you to display in your offices when you can all return safely to your workplaces. Links to the wall chart will be sent out as soon as it is ready.

Support Teach the Future - Green Recovery for Education Campaign

I would also be grateful if you could take the time to actively support Teach the Future campaign, a campaign run by students which UCU supports. They are asking people to write to their MP's about investment for zero carbon education buildings and their proposed Climate Emergency Education Act . They're calling for an investment in a net-zero education estate to help boost our economy post-Covid-19 and also help us achieve our net-zero goals.

Any questions, comments then please do get in touch and I hope to see some of you at the discussion meeting on the 29 June. 

All the best

Marianne Quick
UCU Bargaining & Negotiations Official

Last updated: 24 November 2020