Scottish Sunday: Arts: Culture

'Make the climate wreckers explain actions to children' Union proposes radical plan to tackle global warming

By Rob Edwards, Environment Editor

EVERY PUBLIC sector organisation should have to justify the impact on the climate of every decision it takes, under plans to be put forward by the trade union, Unison. Councils, enterprise agencies, government bodies, and the government itself would all be accountable for any development or plan which increases the pollution that is warming the globe. Unison is proposing that chief executives responsible for climate-wrecking schemes should be hauled up before school children to explain their actions.

Introducing Accountability for Climate Impact

Unison, which represents 162,000 public service workers in Scotland, will this week make its submission to the consultation on the Scottish government's draft climate change bill. The union will propose a "general duty on public bodies to consider climate change in all decisions and report on progress annually". That would mean introducing legislation obliging public agencies to take account of the effect on global warming in every decision, in much the same way as they have to consider impacts on equal opportunities.

Engaging School Children

Unison will suggest that a selection of the annual reports produced by public bodies should be called in by a Scottish parliamentary committee for scrutiny at Holyrood. Locally, the union says, there should be "an annual schools gathering where students could question appropriate councillors and officials". According to Unison's Scottish organiser, Dave Watson, facing direct questions from school children would be the more challenging.

"If a public body is going to do something barmy that will damage the climate, it doesn't mean they can't do it. But it does mean it has to be flagged up,"

A Push for Green Workplaces

Unison's submission on the climate change bill will also call for public bodies to be required to negotiate a "workplace environmental agreement" with their recognized trade unions. This would aim to save energy, cut waste, and reduce water use in offices. "We envisage the bill giving powers to Scottish ministers to issue regulations and guidance to promote greener workplaces," says the draft submission.

Support from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland

Unison is a member of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, a coalition of more than 30 environment, development, faith, and other groups. The coalition's campaign for tougher action to cut the pollution that is disrupting the climate is being backed by the Scottish Sunday. The union's call for a legal duty on public bodies to consider climate change is welcomed by the chairman of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, Mike Robinson.

Response from the Government

The Scottish government pointed out it was already working with the public sector. "The views expressed by Unison will be considered alongside other responses to the consultation," said a spokesman.

Public Comments

Unsurprisingly, the proposed plans by Unison to make climate-wrecking decision-makers accountable to school children has generated a range of opinions:

Ben Palmer from Rural Scotland comments, "Unison needs to think again if they believe that anything they do can alter the climate. Also, someone needs to tell them that global warming stopped 10 years ago."
Steve4349 from Larbet counter-challenges Unison's proposal, stating, "I would love to explain why global warming alarmism is hugely exaggerated. Our kids on the other hand must accept poverty due to a grand global fetish surrounding a trace atmospheric gas."
Westhighlander from West Highlands suggests, "The greenwash bams need to take the fight to China, India, and the USA."
Charles from Edinburgh expresses his frustration, commenting, "The lunatics have taken over the asylum. The great global warming scam - great skiing this year - seems to attract the weaker minded and most fearty among us."
Billalba from Fife raises concerns about the Scottish ministers' actions contradicting their own efforts to promote greener workplaces, stating, "These will be the same Scottish ministers that are encouraging economic expansion at any cost."

Climate Change and Hotels

The proposed plans put forward by Unison to hold public sector organizations accountable for their decisions' impact on climate change raises questions about the hotel industry's role in promoting sustainable practices. As major contributors to carbon emissions, hotels have a responsibility to implement eco-friendly measures to mitigate their environmental impact.

Green Initiatives in Hotels

Many hotels worldwide have already taken steps towards reducing their carbon footprint. These initiatives include:

Energy-efficient lighting systems
Reduced water consumption through smart plumbing systems and guest awareness campaigns
Waste reduction and recycling programs
Sustainable food sourcing
Installation of renewable energy sources such as solar panels and geothermal heating/cooling systems

Guest Education

Hotels can also play a crucial role in educating their guests about sustainable practices and encouraging them to make eco-friendly choices during their stay. This can include providing information about local public transportation options, promoting the reuse of towels and linens, and offering sustainable dining options.

Sustainability Certifications

Many hotels now seek sustainability certifications to showcase their commitment to environmentally responsible practices. These certifications, such as LEED or Green Globe, demonstrate a hotel's adherence to specific sustainability criteria and provide reassurance to guests that they are supporting a sustainable establishment.

As the discussion around climate change intensifies, it is vital for all industries, including hotels, to actively contribute to mitigating their impact on the environment. By embracing sustainable practices, hotels can lead the way in creating a more environmentally conscious future.