180 union leaders raise their voices for environmental justice ahead of COP16

Workers are the engine that makes possible the realization of projects that protect and conserve nature and they deserve that their occupations have all the labor guarantees. This was made clear by the 180 union representatives who gathered in Cali for the Summit of Workers' Unions in Peace with Nature on September 5. The event, organized by the trade union Sintrambiente, the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Public Services International, was attended by participants from Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and the United States.

The summit was held as a prelude to the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) to be held in the city of Cali at the end of October. This became a historic event as it was the first time that trade unions managed to play a significant role in the midst of scenarios on these issues.

"We are facing a triple environmental and human rights crisis. Today, for the first time, unions are joining forces in defense of the planet and the workers who sustain it." Explains Sol Klas, Coordinator of PSI's Environment, Climate Crisis and Just Transition Committee.

The summit was held as a prelude to the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16) to be held in the city of Cali at the end of October

Historically, labor rights and biodiversity have been treated separately, but this summit made it clear that protecting workers and the environment go hand in hand. "Trade unions are a social force for environmental change and must be at the center of this environmental transition to more resilient systems and a viable society in the 21st Century." Emphasized Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad.

During the summit, representatives identified four key challenges for the transition to a just economy at peace with nature: the impact of the crises on informal workers, the public path of just transition to decent and sustainable jobs, the need to consolidate and strengthen labor rights, and the shift from an extractivist model to one that protects biodiversity.

The summit put workers at the center of the conversation, demonstrating that decent work ensures that there are conditions to protect the environment as highlighted by Óscar Sánchez, Director of Sintrambiente: "At the global level, agreements come out that remain on paper, but we are the ones who make these policies a reality and many times we are subjected to many situations that prevent the good performance of our work, one of them has to do with issues of precariousness that prevent us from having a real life project."

Seeking to raise the voices of all workers, PSI encouraged the realization of working tables, prior to the summit, on different axes that resulted in a document with a political position that will be signed by all attendees to be presented at COP 16.

"The intention is that we can continue working in synergy with a long-term vision, because Colombia assumes the presidency of the COP for the next two years. So this cannot be the only summit of workers in peace for nature," asserted Renzo Garcia, leader of mobilization and participation of COP16 and advisor to the office of Minister Susana Muhamad.

With COP16 on the horizon, the unions have made it clear that there will be no environmental justice without social justice. This declaration is just the beginning of a global battle that unites workers in defense of the planet. The world will be watching, and trade union leaders do not intend to let their guard down. The future of biodiversity and labor rights go hand in hand.