The role of the social partners in The role of the social partners in the transition towards a green the transition towards a green

economyeconomy

'Climate change: an opportunity for social cooperation'30 march 2011

Christine Aumayr

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound)and Working Conditions (Eurofound)

• Established in 1975 in Dublin

• EU Agency

under auspices of

DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

• Tripartite Board

(Business Europe, ETUC,

National Governments, European Commission)

‘To provide information, advice and expertise – on living and working conditions and industrial relations in Europe – for key actors in the field of EU social policy on the basis of comparative information, research and analysis’

OutlineOutline

Background• Social learning• Alternative approaches for solving distributional disputes

• Social partners and the green agenda– 20 years ago and now

ExampleJoint social partner initiative:

The German “network resource efficiency”

Three-phase model of social learningThree-phase model of social learning

• Emergence of the problem, no explicit formulation

• Problem taken seriously by actors• dealt with individually or collectively

• Method generalized (e.g. higher level)

• Newly constituted conflict – regulating mechanisms firmly established, or disintegrate

1. Latent phase

2. Regulation phase

3. Consolidation phase

Passive

Reactive

Proactive

Following Eurofound 1992

Alternative approaches to resolving Alternative approaches to resolving distributional disputesdistributional disputes

Eurofound 1992

Attributes Conventional approaches

Consensual

approaches

Outcomes Win-lose; impaired relationships

All-gain; improved relationships

Participation Mandatory Voluntary

Style of interaction Indirect Direct (face-to-face)

Procedures Same ground rules in all cases New ground rules and procedures for each case

Method of reaching closure

Imposition of a final determination by a judge or official

Voluntary acceptance of a final decision by the parties

Cost Short term: Low to moderate;

long term: pot. very high

Short term: Moderate to high

long term: pot. Low if successful

Key pointsKey points

• European MS and social partners are in different stages of social learning with regard to the green agenda.

• Consensual approaches foster the green transition through the identification of win-win-win situations.

1980s1980sand early 1990sand early 1990s

Industrial Relations and the Environment in the European Communities, Eurofound 1992

Environmental Protection in Europe. The Effects of Cooperation between the Social Partners. Eurofound, 1994

Findings of the 1992 researchFindings of the 1992 research• 1970s:

productivity pact between the industrialist and the trade unions at the expense of the natural world

Externalisation strategies Responsibility attributed to the state

• 1980s – early 90s: Role of social partners in framing legislation Broadening of scope Weakening of trade unions Enterprise level

Transition from latent to the regulatory phase

Latent phase

Social partner and the environment – 1980s and laterSocial partner and the environment – 1980s and later

• Problem related campaigns nuclear energy, toxic waste… pollution at plant level

• Demand enlarging the rights of Information and Participation

on the basis of existing national regulations governing health & safety at work.

focus on chemical industry

• Only few ER make the link between in-house and external environmental concerns.

• Start to be open to criticism from green groups. – Sector level

• Organisational innovations e.g. green marketing, technical side of

environmental protection, clean technologies.

• Environmental policy: internal corporate strategy;

• Exclude trade unions and employees from company environmental policy

• Seek unilateral approaches – direct contact with authorities

Trade unions Employers (associations)

Top down regulation (Health and Safety bodies) – no role for collective bargaining

20092009Greening the European Economy: Responses and initiatives by Member states and social partners, Eurofound 2009

Key findings of the 2009 reportKey findings of the 2009 report• Green agenda grows in importance

• Some green aspects in recovery packages in many countries

• But: recession as brake, not trigger

• East/West divide

• Heterogeneous scope and definition of the green agenda Nuclear power plants, automotive industry, farmers’ markets

• Different forms and intensity of social partner involvement

• Engagement of SP at higher levels (national/sectoral)

Level of engagement and mobilisation by national Level of engagement and mobilisation by national governments and social partnersgovernments and social partners

Absence of significant actions by government or SPs

Modest yet uncoordinated actions lacking vision and direction

Some promising initiatives and engagement by all parties – sustainable?

Significant practices, engagement at several levels and multistakeholder involvement

Mainstreamed policy approach, innovative practices, commitment by all parties, long-term vision, in-depth debate

Eurofound own elaboration, based on 2009 report:

Tripartite bodies dealing with green issues

Green Social dialogue - 2009Green Social dialogue - 2009

• Heterogeneous levels of social partner + government involvement

• “Timidly creeping” into social dialogue processes & structures”

• Some innovative examples –yet fewer than expected

Transition from latent toregulatory phase…

Few examples formoving towards a more

proactive consolidation phase

… is gaining momentum

Latent phase

Social Partners and their stanceSocial Partners and their stance

Employers

• recognise added value but some fear compliance costs/add. taxation could hinder competitiveness

• demand for promotion of green industries/export subsidies/R&D

• higher level of engagement, where environmental technologies have an important share

• skill deficits as obstacles

Trade Unions

• rather see target setting and written agreements over voluntary commitment

• focus on working conditions and employment levels

• some are reluctant, fear job losses

• membership issues – recruitment potential

ExamplesExamplesIndustrial relations and Sustainability: The role of the social partners in the transition towards a green economy. Eurofound 2011

“Good practice” initiatives stemming from thesocial partners

Germany: Network resource efficiencyUnited Kingdom: Green workplace projectBelgium: Eco-chequeFrance: OPCA Construction/green skills trainingRomania: EuroNeff project/green skills training

Germany Germany

Network resource efficiency

How to include employees in resource efficiency How to include employees in resource efficiency processes?processes?

Policy background• “Green new deal” targets: ecological modernisation of industrial

production Climate change Resource efficiency

• 2001: Revision of works constitution act Works councils to play a role in implementation of resource efficiency

• Founded in 2007• Actors:

Beginning: IG Metall & Environmental Ministery Environmental Ministry, unions, industry, sectoral employer’s organisations,

various associations and researchers.

““It’s better to save resources than people”It’s better to save resources than people”Objectives• “open network”: to provide information on the relationship between

resource conservation, innovation and employment

Activities• particular focus on SMEs, offering support for the implementation of

measures, funding options for innovative technologies, initiate links with regions and sectors,

• Conferences, expert meetings• Information campaigns for wider public• Internet platform (www.netzwerk-ressourceneffizienz.de/en)• Support of research on resource efficiency

The training project „resource efficiency at the The training project „resource efficiency at the company“ (company“ (KoReBB)KoReBB)

• May 2008- April 2011• Trade union initiated, DGB and DGB Bildungswerk

• Involvement of workers and works councils in resource efficiency issues -> Participation as a driver for RE

• Based on win-win-win situations• Approx. 1000 participants; implementation in 9 pilot companies

• Training in several stages: Cross-sectoral events with local trade unions; Sector specific training, exchange of best practice Direct cooperation with companies (9 pilot projects) Certificate for employees: “Expert in resource efficiency”

Company level training projectsCompany level training projects

2 criteria• Company financed• Works council’s interest

Implementation of resource efficient restructuring Construction Grey water usage in replanning Thermal aspects, photovoltaic cells Green IT

“not so easy to find”

Good practice aspects of the projectGood practice aspects of the project• Broad involvement of various actors• Identification of win-win-win situations• Development of involvement mechanisms

Employee suggestion programmes Working groups Regular discussions with MM on resource usage

• Overcoming lack of technical/environmental competences through training provision

Challenges• Open network – can not reach standard of legally secured co-determination• Interest and commitment of companies to finance training

Christine Aumayr

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working conditions

cau@eurofound.europa.eu

Thank you very much.Thank you very much.