UCU climate and sustainability update for autumn term 2021

Use the links below to find out more about what UCU have been working on and contributing towards in response to the climate emergency and the need for a just transition. We have been mobilising with the student movement and other unions for our upcoming climate learning month, TUC fringe events and our work with Education International on climate education. This week's update also includes UCU's statement in response the independent report from the Green Jobs Taskforce. 

• UCU involvement with two TUC Congress climate related fringe events
• climate learning month: joint campaign with NEU, EIS, NUS, SOS-UK and Teach the Future in the run-up to COP26 
• register to join Education International's 'Teach for the Planet' training series (27 September - 1 October) 
• read UCU's responseto the independent report from the Green Jobs Taskforce published July 2021, evidencing skill requirements for the UK's transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.   

UCU involvement TUC Congress climate-related fringe events 

Future-proof every workplace: How trade unions can lead a just climate transition in every UK industry, Tuesday 14 September 2021, 1.30 - 2.30pm. 

Climate science is clear: every industry and every workplace needs a plan for a zero carbon future. High-carbon workplaces are at the frontline of this transformation. Done right, climate action can strengthen industries and create more jobs in the UK. But if we don't retool our industries, we're at risk of jobs being offshored and communities hollowed out as workplaces shut down. This panel will feature reps from a range of industries working to future-proof their jobs, including Pete Wood, UCU green rep.

Climate jobs now! A Greener Jobs Alliance TUC fringe meeting, Monday 13 September 2021, 12.30 - 1.30pm. 

This event will discuss the urgent need for a transition out of fossil fuel and other polluting industries and into climate jobs, with a specific focus on the protection of workers long term job security through a rigorous identification of the skills and training required, and the launch of a framework for improving the legal rights of workers as members of trade unions. Speakers will include trade union leaders, including UCU president Vicky Blake, and local authorities seeking to implement such policies. 

UCU joint climate learning month: call for action 

In the run up to COP26, we are calling on educators to mobilise and take action to embed climate learning in teaching and learning as part of a joined up UK-wide campaign, during November, the month of COP26. The campaign is supported by UCU, National Education Union (NEU), Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), National Union of Students (NUS), Teach the Future and SOS-UK, highlighting the call from students, educators and employees in the sector, for our education system's need to reform in order to deliver on climate justice. Current UK education policy is failing current and future generations to have adequate knowledge, skills and competencies to address the greatest threat of our time - the climate and ecological crisis.  

We are calling for a climate learning month in November, which aims to support educators across all sectors and disciplines, at every level, to integrate activities and themes around the climate and ecological crisis. To help support educators, a set of downloadable climate and sustainability teaching resources and CPD courses have been developed. 

Contact UCU CPD to find out more about the workshops available to UCU members to support them with this work. During September, October and November there are CPD workshops being delivered on 'Running Climate Learning events' and 'Decarbonising and Decolonising'.  

UCU response to GJT report

The union has responded to a report from the Green Jobs Taskforce published in July and you can read it here.