United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Mr. Jeremy Andersen, Sustainable Transport Lead, International Transport Workers Federation

Statement by
Mr. Jeremy Anderson
Sustainable Transport Lead
International Transport Workers’ Federation
As the International Transport Workers’ Federation, we represent 20 million
workers in 150 countries, and we believe that rebuilding after Covid-19 must
involve a just transition to a zero-carbon transport sector.
We need a globally co-ordinated green industrial policy that mobilises high
investment and full unionised employment. This requires an economy wide
approach, including investment in renewable electricity and alternative fuels.
We need governments to play a leading role here, and to anchor the zerocarbon
transport sector with publicly owned infrastructure and services.
A just transition for workers is an essential element of the process. Workers
must have their livelihoods protected, and not be made to pay for the
transition. We need a greater role for workers in decision making at all levels
of our companies and industries, and much fairer opportunities for women
workers, young workers, and workers of colour.
It is also important that we strengthen the workers voice in multi-lateral
institutions. The ITF is building a strong partnership with C40 cities, such as the
programme to introduce zero emissions buses by 2025. It’s also important that
the revised Nationally Determined Contributions for COP26 include concrete
details on a just transition for transport. Although international aviation and
maritime were not included in the Paris Agreement, we need to make sure
there is a robust framework for the transition to zero carbon in these sectors.
We appreciate that Covid-19 has presented significant challenges to the
sustainable transport agenda. It has also shown the importance of dialogue
with trade unions in order to find solutions to these challenges.