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Executive Summary
IAM members are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. As global temperatures continue to rise due to human activity, workers must contend with deteriorating conditions on the jobsite and in their communities. In the last three years alone, dozens of IAM members have already seen their homes damaged or destroyed by climate related weather events. Extreme heat and other threats make it more and more difficult for IAM members to carry out their work safely.
We are also entering a time of major change in the economy at large. Many of the IAM’s core industries–from aerospace and manufacturing, to healthcare and the federal government–are large energy consumers. As major employers look to implement new technologies and reduce emissions, IAM members are understandably wondering: What does this mean for me? How will my industry be affected?
Fortunately, the IAM has been proactive in addressing the climate crisis. IAM delegates passed climate resolutions at the union’s 2016 and 2022 conventions, calling on the union to take leadership in making industry more sustainable, creating high-quality union jobs, and expanding opportunities for members to gain the skills needed to thrive in a climate-safe economy. This report is a result of those efforts.
Combating climate change is a massive undertaking, but the IAM is poised to push for solutions that protect our planet while building union power. In order to prepare for the clean energy economy of the future, the IAM must understand the threats climate change poses to members and prepare for how it will affect core industries and geographies. The IAM must also have a plan to advocate for climate action that creates good, union jobs while preserving a bright future for the next generation.