How to develop trade union activities on sustainable development and employment P.Bobe Turin, October 2006

Part I: Background, concepts and challenges of sustainable development

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Sustainable development Background Origins of the concept : Report by the Club of Rome in 1972 entitled 'An end to growth' sparked off discussions on a new type of development 1987 United Nations Report entitled 'Our Common Future', better known as the Bruntland Report (the reference work during the Rio Conference in 1992).

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October The Bruntland Report "Meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." But also… "To meet these basic needs, we must ensure economic growth in countries where the majority of the population lives in poverty" A dual requirement that leads to conflicts between the developing and the rich countries.

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Sustainable development Specific reasons behind the concept of S.D. Population growth and increase in poverty. Over-use of natural resources. Damage to the world's ecosystems. Which leads us to question : Ways of life. Production and consumption methods. Democratic procedures.

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Sustainable development A notion that aims to reconcile in the long-term: Economic efficiency. Social development. Environmental protection. A notion based on the principles of: Transversality, Precaution, Participation. Subsidiarity, Responsibility, Solidarity.

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Sustainable development The economic dimension The concept of S.D. is contrasted with a purely economic approach to growth Growth must be compatible with: Managing natural resources as part of our heritage Reducing inequality and poverty This requires : Taking account of hidden or forgotten costs (internalisation) in economic calculations. Finding replacement products. Including the environmental impact of products.

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Sustainable development The social dimension At the heart of any S.D. strategy The reduction of poverty and inequality Access to basic goods Access to long-term and decent work Access to a high-quality environment This requires: Involving trade unions in drawing up S.D. policies (negotiation of transitions) Integrating up-stream employment policy and environmental protection.

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Sustainable development The environmental dimension Preserve natural resources Replenish stocks Restore damaged areas The main environmental challenges Those affecting the air Those affecting the water Those affecting the soil

Ce rapport est destiné aux membres du comité dentreprise Syndex- Training –26 October Conclusion S.D. is a universal reference and provokes thought about the issue of 'living together'. Trade union values linked to S.D. values. Using a systemic approach, S.D. calls for new regulations. S.D. questions the way in which our democratic systems work. S.D. is a step towards progress. There is no ideal model.