Brazil's Climate Plan aims for a just transition that involves workers in all phases, ensuring their rights are protected while addressing the climate crisis.

 

The Brazil Climate Plan, created in 2009, is the country's main climate policy guide until 2035, focusing on carbon emission reduction and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

 

The plan will be reformed to include strategies for mitigation, adaptation, and cross-cutting actions, with active participation from society. Trade unions, such as CUT and SNMA, are involved in this process to ensure that workers' needs and rights are considered.

 

Significant progress has been made in areas such as active worker participation, climate adaptation and mitigation, Just Transition Strategy, proposals to the government, participation in local and national events, and key contributions to aligning regional and national climate policies, aiming for effective and just implementation.

 

CUT has participated in the L20 Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (July 23-24), where a document was drafted with the main concerns of the labor movement for global leaders, focusing on Just Transition and Labor Rights and Social Protection, highlighting the need to strengthen labor rights and promote robust social protection policies, especially due to the impacts of the climate crisis and transformations in the world of work.

 

The final document advocates for the promotion of decent jobs with rights and fair wages, addressing informality, advancing towards universal social protection, and ensuring a Just Transition, negotiated with social partners.

 

CUT also participated in the 5th National Environmental Conference:

 

In this setting, the climate emergency and the importance of supporting the implementation of Brazil's National Climate Change Policy were discussed, focusing on three main pillars: social participation, union coordination, and commitment to a just transition.

 

As part of reaffirming social participation, CUT celebrates the return of the National Environmental Conferences, strengthening social dialogue after more than a decade since the last edition, representing an opportunity for labor and social movements to influence climate policies, emphasizing the importance of broadly including workers and other social sectors in these discussions.

 

Through mobilization and union coordination, CUT, via the National Environment Secretariat, participates in the National Organizing Committee (CON) of the conference, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to union representation and ensuring that workers' demands, particularly in relation to a just transition, green jobs, and climate justice, are addressed. This includes monitoring and participation in municipal and state stages, with progress helping to build an inclusive, participatory climate agenda focused on a just transition, positioning workers as central actors in the necessary transformations in the face of the climate emergency.

 

1.- Preparatory Meeting for the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro (August 20, 2024):

 

Approximately 2,300 representatives from Brazil's major popular movements and social organizations participated in a pivotal event in preparation for the G20 Social Summit. The meeting took place on Tuesday, August 20, at Fundição Progresso in Rio de Janeiro, with active participation from the Central Única de los Trabalhadores (CUT).

 

Advances were made in broad mobilization and the diversity of social actors, highlighting the centrality of the labor movement in discussions on work, social justice, and rights.

 

2.- Preparatory Activities for COP 29:

 

Participation in preparatory activities for COP 29, specifically the Virtual Seminar of the Parliamentary Environmental Front COP29, means for CUT to ensure that Just Transition is thoroughly discussed and receives the necessary funding.  Main progress identified in this process: The seminar contributed to understanding what the main agenda of COP29 will be. Carbon market regulation and financing remain central to the debate.

 

In the political realm of COP29, it has been determined how the registration for international carbon transactions will be structured; the role of national governments and whether an international authorization mechanism will be required; and the level of transparency necessary to ensure trust and effectiveness in the global carbon market.  Another key issue for Brazil in COP29 is the process of adaptation to climate change.

 

3.- Preparatory Meetings for COP 29

 

Meetings involving unions from around the world served to share information on the event's agenda, labor movement expectations regarding the implementation of the Just Transition Work Plan, and the definition of climate financing. Logistics information was also shared.

 

​The ITUC is committed to ensuring that climate action does not leave any worker behind:

 

Comprehensive funding for the creation of decent and quality jobs in sectors that promote climate change mitigation, including workforce development, training, and professional retraining.

 

• Economic support for workers in high-emission sectors transitioning to low-carbon alternatives.

• Adaptation and resilience measures, including safe and healthy working environments.

• Compensation for the loss of livelihoods and the negative impacts on workers' employment.

• Financing for social protection and dialogue with unions throughout the transition process.

• Adaptation and loss and damage.

• Mitigation work program.

• Global Stocktake (GST) of the Paris Agreement.

• Just Transition.

• Gender.

​

4.- Civil Society Coordination Meeting in Preparation for Brazil's Participation in COP29:

 

In the National Climate Change Policy, it was defined that "the Just Transition would be the path toward a socio-economic development model that is low in greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient, in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, considering at least the following aspects: 1. the specificities of economic sectors; 2. equity in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities, in light of national circumstances; 3. reducing potential impacts on vulnerable groups, even in the process of transitioning the workforce of food, energy, and other socio-economic systems. (...) And, the fight against hunger and poverty, and inequalities between countries and within them, including through creating value and capacity at the local level and for social inclusion, environmental protection, and economic growth."

 

Documents: The working documents and agendas can be found at the following link:

https://unfccc.int/cop29#sessions 

 

5.- Virtual Meeting of SNMA and CUT Brazil’s International Relations Secretariat (SRI) with Maíra Lacerda, Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) - October 24, 2024:

 

The meeting aimed to share the trade union movement's demands regarding energy transition processes in Brazil and proposals related to the federal government's Ecological Transition Program. CUT emphasized its perspective on a Just Transition and the need for greater presence and oversight by the MTE.

 

Discussions also included topics related to COP 29 and COP 30, focusing on how the trade union movement is organizing to participate and influence key debates and resolutions on cross-cutting issues for workers.

 

This meeting contributes to advancing the dialogue between the union federation and the MTE, placing workers at the center of the debate on climate change mitigation and adaptation in Brazil.

 

Workshops for Trade Union Leaders on the Environmental and Social Crisis were also held. In a virtual meeting of CUT Brazil's

 

National Environmental Collective, the Environmental Collective of CUT met to reaffirm its commitment to protecting the Amazon as a vital biome and the struggle for a Just Transition, putting environmental preservation and labor rights at the center of the discussions.

 

The meeting involved over 30 representatives from various regions, highlighting workers' mobilization and commitment to environmental issues.

 

The National Environmental Collective of CUT brings together all environmental secretaries from state CUTs, as well as union leaders from other allied organizations, who recommended that each state create its own State Environmental Collective to broaden the debate and strengthen the union movement's actions in response to the climate emergency, with Just Transition as the core of the discussion.

 

The main progress of the meeting can be described in four key areas: mobilization, reflection on impacts, strategies for political engagement, and concrete actions for the future.

 

6.- In-person Seminar “Just Energy Transition from the Workers' Perspective: Northern and Northeastern Regions” - September 25-27, 2024:

 

Approximately 60 union leaders from the North and Northeast regions met in a seminar to launch a study on labor and energy transition, promoted by CUT's National Environment Secretariat.

 

Key advances identified in this seminar included: Integration of energy transition issues with union struggles, government support and participation, proposals to mitigate the negative impacts of renewable energies, and advocacy for active participation in public policies.

 

The seminar provided a space to discuss CUT's perspective on COP-30, advancing the need to build a unified agenda that reflects workers' concerns and priorities for COP-30, strengthening the trade union movement's position in the climate debate, with an emphasis on defining strategies to educate and raise awareness among workers about the relevance of COP-30 and the connection between climate change and labor rights.

 

A call was also made for the creation of a mobilization and training activity calendar to keep the topic in focus and prepare the union base for COP-30, promoting dialogue and active listening with the grassroots to understand their needs and perspectives regarding COP-30, thus strengthening local and regional mobilization.

 

7.- Virtual Meeting of CUT Brazil's National Environment Collective - October 16, 2024:

 

The second meeting of the semester discussed the Environmental Conferences in municipalities and states, as well as presented a summary of the seminar on Energy Transition in the North and Northeast regions.

 

Advances were made in strengthening Social Dialogue, Active Worker Participation, Worker Awareness, Recognizing the Vital Role of Union Participation, and Mobilization for a Just Transition.

 

These advances demonstrate the union movement's commitment to ensuring that environmental issues are addressed in ways that benefit workers, promoting a just transition that integrates sustainability and social rights.