PANEL SPEAKERS
- Ms Eva
Joly, Member of the European Parliament (Verts-ALE),
Vice-Chair of the Special Committee on Tax rulings of the Justice et
Affaires Commission, Member of the
International Commission on the Reform of Corporate Taxation (ICRCT).
- Hon Ian Hunter MLC,
Minister for Climate Change, South Australian Government
- Mr Dave Green, National
Officer, Fire Brigades Union, UK
- Mr Mansour Cherni, Gas and Electricity Trade
Union Federation of Tunisia, PSI MENA Region Coordinator
- Mr Robert Kehew, Leader,
Climate Change Planning Unit, Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-HABITAT
PANEL MODERATOR
- Ms Daria Cibrario,
Policy Officer, Local and Regional Government & Multinational
Enterprises, Public Services International (PSI)
BACKGROUND
Local and regional government (LRG) workers are especially critical for
both mitigation and adaptation to climate change, as more than half of humanity
now lives in cities, and the rate of urbanization is accelerating.
Changes are needed to make our cities equitable, safe and environmentally
sustainable. Urban residents need universal access to core public services,
such as waste collection and recycling, water and sanitation, transport,
energy, health and social services, education. And, any sustainable
solution must address the issues of migration/refugees and the problems of
slums, which trap hundreds of millions in conditions of desperation.
One of the key issues for local and regional governments is finance. The
20-year experiment with decentralization has brought decisions about services
closer to the people who receive them, however, this process has not been
accompanied by decentralized tax powers or guaranteed financing. Thus,
many city and municipal governments are starved for funds. This will be
further aggravated by the investment needs for moving to low or zero carbon
communities. As it stands, the majority of so-called “green funds” appear
to be oriented towards market-based solutions. Which funds can be adapted
to the needs of cities and public services? Just Transition for municipal
workers is an essential part of the deal, and will be part of the Million
Climate Jobs.
PANEL OBJECTIVES
Illustrate and grasp the challenges of the local and city dimension of
climate change and its consequences faced by local governments, civil society
as well as municipal workers and their trade unions. Explore solutions and
current practices for confronting such challenges, including financing for
preparedness, mitigation and adaptation measures as well as social dialogue
mechanisms.
Advice from PSI media
Advice from PSI media
