November 30 2023

Dubai — Representatives of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) are part of the Canadian delegation heading to COP28, the UN climate change conference. This year, COP28 is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

“Representing our 425,000 members on the global stage, NUPGE participates in COP to ensure that workers and their rights are not left out of the climate talks,” said Bert Blundon, NUPGE President, who is attending as a delegate. “This year, we will be focused on the Just Transition and the role of public services like health care in climate action.” 

Trade union demands at COP28 

NUPGE is working closely with other trade unions, through the Canadian Labour Congress on a national level, and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) at an international level. 

NUPGE echoes the ITUC demands for COP28. In particular, we are calling for a Just Transition Work Program that puts workers at the centre. 

“We can’t have strong climate policies without the protection of labour and human rights,” said Blundon. 

Encouraging Canada to walk the walk

 Under the Trudeau government, Canada has been positioning itself as a climate leader on the world stage.  

Civil society representatives are pushing the Canadian government to walk the walk—to not only commit to more ambitious climate targets and plans but also to ensure that its domestic policies reflect its international commitments. This includes meeting its commitments on a Just Transition for workers and communities as we decarbonize our economy. 

NUPGE is a member of Climate Action Network Canada (CAN-Rac) and will be part of the CAN-Rac delegation at COP28. Through CAN-Rac, we will be working alongside environmental, labour, and civil society advocates to call for climate justice.