Hello everyone,
Just finished the general training on CCL's Policy Agenda and had a question come up. I'm also new here and starting to educate myself about CCL via the trainings and resources so if the answer to my question comes up in later trainings, feel free to mention the training and/or resource in particular and I'd be happy to take a look.
Onto my question- the four targets of CCL's policy agenda was carbon pricing, health forests, building electrification and efficiency and clean energy permitting reform. I understand that many of these agendas will create new jobs in the development and implementation of clean energy, but what happens to those workers in the fossil fuel industry that depend on these jobs for their livelihood? These workers are more likely to oppose clean energy because transitioning to clean energy seems say their jobs are going to disappear. How do we address this and is there anyway CCL Policy can help/care for these workers during a transition to clean energy?
Thanks,
Jayvee
Welcome to CCL!
Please take a look at our Handling Challenging Questions resources and scroll down to the section on “jobs - just transition”.
Possible underlying factors
- Concern over jobs, especially well paying union jobs, that might be lost.
- Concern that communities reliant on the fossil fuel economy will suffer.
Background
Studies show that carbon pricing, like the Energy Innovation Act, is unlikely to have a large effect on GDP or total jobs, and that it might increase jobs. Yet some industries, such as the fossil fuel industry, will likely see significant employment shifts, and while the number of jobs may not be a large portion of total U.S. jobs, they are often well paid, such as union jobs. In turn, communities and regions with a heavy reliance on these industries will likely face challenges.
We support transition help for all people employed in endangered industries. Congressional proposals have included retraining, health benefits, early retirement, income support, and help for communities whose tax base drops. They are not included in this bill, but we recognize the importance of Congress allocating funds for these priorities. The Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act lays out a clear path for the carbon fee, which may make job changes more predictable and help governments, unions, businesses and families plan for the future.
What you might say
You might start by trying to get more information about what they mean by a ‘just transition’, and what they are most concerned about. Avoid assumptions.
Our economy is changing, and more and more workers are being displaced. This issue needs to be addressed on a comprehensive basis, either within or separate from carbon pricing policy. Labor unions and other stakeholders need to be at the table for these discussions.
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CCL Blog Policy Area Categories
- Price on Carbon
- CBAM
- Clean Energy Permitting Reform
- Healthy Forests
- Building Electrification and Efficiency