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Action Steps for the IAM
To tackle the climate crisis, scientists agree that we need to drastically reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) we release into the atmosphere. We need to cut CO2 emissions significantly by 2030 and achieve "net-zero" emissions, which means that any remaining CO2 emissions are balanced out by removing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere, by 2050. If we can meet these targets, we have a chance of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C (2.7°F) above pre-industrial levels,50 a target set by the 2015 Paris Agreement. Achieving this necessitates rapid, far-reaching transitions across energy, land, transportation, infrastructure, and industrial systems on an unprecedented scale, including adopting renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, implementing sustainable land use, promoting low-emission transportation, developing resilient infrastructure, and innovating industrial processes.51
Some key ways the IAM can aid this transition in major industries include:
48 Sangeetha and Usha, “Impact of Climate Change on the Labor Market.”
50 IPCC, Global Warming of 1.5°C.
51 IPCC.
● In the energy sector, shifting away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy, enhancing efficiency, and decarbonizing end-uses–like buildings and personal vehicles– is key.52 IAM members in utilities can apply their skills to install, operate and maintain renewable energy systems, and those in mining can use their skills to extract critical minerals for clean technologies.
● In transportation, developing sustainable aviation fuels, expanding electric and low carbon vehicles, massively expanding rail transportation, and decarbonizing rail and aerospace manufacturing are priorities.53 This creates opportunities for IAM members in these industries to manufacture and maintain cleaner technologies.
● In the industrial sector, critical steps include improving energy efficiency through retrofits and more sustainable business practices, increasing the use of renewable energy and low-carbon fuels, and deploying carbon capture, use, and storage technologies where appropriate.54
● For the buildings sector, which includes healthcare facilities that are responsible for 8.5% of U.S. emissions, reducing emissions requires deep energy retrofits, decarbonization of heating/cooling, on-site renewable energy installations, and reducing carbon in construction materials.55 The healthcare sector, with its large, energy-intensive infrastructure of hospitals and clinics, can lead by example on decarbonization.
● Government facilities like military bases must increase energy efficiency, deploy renewables and energy storage, decarbonize operations and vehicle fleets, and enhance resilience planning.56 The IAM's federal workers can support sustainable practices at military bases and other related sites.
The IAM can also play a leading role in tackling gender, racial, and other pervasive inequalities that deny economic opportunities to marginalized communities and leave them especially vulnerable to climate impacts. “When you have a diverse group of leaders, you get better contracts" points out Julie Frietchen, the Director of the Women’s and Young Workers Division. "You're better at bargaining. You're better at organizing. You get better contracts.”57 Through its organizing efforts and training opportunities, the IAM can diversify its ranks and ensure that all workers can access the life-changing benefits of union membership.
The transition to a low-carbon economy must be managed equitably, with the needs of workers and communities at the forefront. By taking a leadership role in shaping climate solutions, unions like the IAM can help ensure that the clean energy transition creates high-quality jobs, supports affected workers, builds resilient communities, and strengthens the labor movement.
53 Goldstein, Gounaridis, and Newell.
54 IPCC, Global Warming of 1.5°C.