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Motion on a transformative approach to the fossil fuel energy crisis

This draft motion – which can be used to generate debate and commitment to action in union and political party branches – has been worked on and had input from supporters of Greener Jobs Alliance, Fuel Poverty Action, the Campaign Against Climate Change and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. 

The escalation of the war on Iran, and UK complicity in it, and the evacuation of a quarter of a million people from the Bordeaux region to escape the wildfire that is threatening the city, both underline the urgency of getting our movements to face up to reality and take action on it.

Feel free to adapt, but let’s push this change of course.

Paul Atkin

Motion on a transformative approach to the fossil fuel energy crisis

The impact of the US/Israeli attack on Iran, overlaid by the extreme weather impacts of climate change, is creating a violent upward pressure on the cost of living that is likely to be long-lasting.

Food prices and energy prices are rising. 

Shortages are likely. 

Therefore this branch/district/ward (delete as appropriate) believes 

1. To stop the crisis, we need to stop the war, tax war profits and transfer military spending
2. The transition to renewable energy and energy conservation is the solution.  
3. Crisis measures must be social justice measures.

Resolves

1. To campaign on these points alongside other unions and campaigns locally as part of the Trade Union Year of Climate Action, including local actions during some or all of the Global Week of Action for Climate Justice (Sept 14th -20th) the Global Week of Action for Peace and Climate Justice (Sept 21 – 27th) the Weekend of action against militarisation and conscription (21/22  November) support for national anti war demonstrations and actions during the COP and help organise a local showing of the National Emergency Briefing film.
2. As part of this, to support Fuel Poverty Action’s Make Green Fair campaign for the benefits of renewable energy and new technology for heating and cooling homes, to be fairly distributed to everyone.  
3. To send delegate(s) to the conference on 31 October ‘No Non-Radical Futures Available: Winning for the Climate; Winning for Workers’ and publicise it among our members
4. To send this as a motion alongside the attached statement to 

A) Unions version

a. the local trades council,

b. our union National Executive representatives to help inform discussion at national level. 

B) Labour Party wards

our local elected representatives and Party NEC representatives. 

C) Green or Your Party branches

our local elected representatives and our Central Executive Committee representatives.