A clear, common
purpose is emerging in the shipping industry for stronger action on climate
change ahead of COP26 in Glasgow this week.
The Global
Maritime Forum and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have
signed an agreement to cooperate in “problem solving and identifying concrete
actions” to speed up decarbonisation in the maritime sector.
The ITF is a global union federation with more than 300 maritime union
affiliates in over 130 countries.
The Global
Maritime Forum brings together high level leaders from across the maritime
industry to shape the future of global seaborne trade and to increase
sustainable long-term economic development and human wellbeing. The ITF is a
global union federation with more than 300 maritime union affiliates in over
130 countries.
The pact outlines
the importance of worker, corporate and investor leadership uniting to push for
meaningful action. The immediate focus of the agreement is decarbonisation and
just transition, but it will serve as the basis for co-operation on other
strategic issues in the future. As part of the memorandum the ITF will be
inviting affiliates to sign up to the Global Maritime Forum’s Call to Action.
“To reach zero by
2050, the shipping industry must pull its weight. This agreement shows
leadership and movement from the employers, workers and their unions to do
what’s needed to get us to zero,” said ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton.
Involving workers from the outset crucial to curb emissions
“A just transition
means concrete measure to ensure that workers’ voices, expertise and ambitions
to be at the centre of decision-making in transition plans for the industry.
The Global Maritime Forum understand that, and that involving workers from the
outset is crucial for the rapid change required in curb emissions,” said
Cotton.
Johannah
Christensen, CEO at the Global Maritime Forum said: “We are excited about what
this new agreement means for our industry’s ability to step up to the task of
decarbonising shipping by 2050. We recognise the incredible strength to be had
in focusing the ideas, energy and investment of both our members on the climate
crisis,”
We welcome the launch
of the ITF’s principles for a just transition. There is so much common ground.
Training and re-training, maintaining health and safety when it comes to new
fuels, and of course ensuring good working conditions for seafarers that are
commensurate with their central role in global supply chains,” said
Christensen.
We will do this transition justly, and in partnership
“When it comes to moving
shipping to zero carbon, Global Maritime Forum will be leading this transition
– right alongside our workforce and their representatives in the ITF. We will
do this transition justly, and in partnership.” |