Factsheet for measure
FI-2023-3/3589
– measures in Finland
Just transition now! - Campaign
Oikeudenmukainen siirtymä nyt!-kampanja
Background information
Preceding parliamentary elections in spring 2023, a coalition of trade unions, non-governmental organisations, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, and agricultural producers drew up a list of ten just transition principles. Election candidates were encouraged to commit to the just transition principles and to describe how they intend to ensure a just transition if elected.
Content of measure
The human rights organisation Finnwatch was responsible for coordinating the campaign.
Everyone is welcome to join the campaign by signing the ten principles for just transition. The principles are
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Tackling the ecological crisis: Limiting global warming to 1.5°C and to stopping biodiversity loss
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Scientificness: To prioritise actions based on best scientific evidence
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Frontloaded climate action: To follow the precautionary principle, and the rights of future generations. Finland being a rich country has the responsibility to be at the forefront, and to finance poorer countries transition.
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Consistency: Finland should draw up a concrete and continuously updated plan, based on expert knowledge, on how to achieve a fair ecological transition that covers the whole of society. It is important to take policy coherence into account in the transition: even measures that are not directly linked to the ecological transition must be in line with a succesful transition.
Human rights basis: Climate and nature conservation measures must comply with Finland's human rights obligations
No one is left behind: Special attention is to be paid to marginalised groups, workers, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
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Inequality reduction: A just transition will reduce poverty and social and economic inequalities. A fair distribution of the costs of the transition requires progressive taxation as a financil basis.
Decent work: The transition must ensure a fair transition of the workforce, both in Finland and globally, to carbon-free production and service jobs by upskilling and creating decent work.
Inclusivity: Trade unions, civil society, and other stakeholders must have a chance to partticipate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the green transition.
*Monitoring the transition: the progress of the ecological transition and its impacts on human rights, employment and skills, economic inequality, security of supply, and on vulnerable and marginalised people must be monitored with set of indicators,The international impacts of Finland's ecological transition on other countries, and in particular on emerging economies, should also be considered.
Use of measure
The principles have been signed by more than 80 Finnish organisations. More than 500 candidates in the parliamentary elections signed the principles.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Applies to all workers
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Applies to all businesses
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Applies to all citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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Trade unions
Other social actors (e.g. NGOs)
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
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No involvement
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Form
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Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Only trade unions
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Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level
Involvement
Of trade unions, signatories to the campaign are Akava Special Branches, the Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL, trade union Jyty, Trade Union Pro, trade union for health care professionals Tehy, Service Union United PAM, Finnish Musician's Union, the Finnish Post and Logistics Union PAU, The Association of Finnish Construction Engineers and Architects RIA, the Finnish Construction Trade Union, Union of Professional Social Workers, Finnish Food Workers Union SEL, Industrial Union, Theater and Media Employees in Finland TEME, trade union for academic engineers and architects TEK, Social Science Professionals YKA, General Union of Journalists, as well as peak-level the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions SAK and The Finnish Confederation of Professionals STTK
Views and reactions
The peak-level trade union SAK has stated that employees will support ambititous climate action as long as the principles of just transition are adhered to. Thus, trade union involvement in the assessment of sectoral development needs is of central importance.
Sources
