• 17 May 2013

European Public Sector Unions reject the exploitation of shale gas

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The European Public Sector Unions (EPSU) recently issued the following statement:

The exploitation of shale gas is causing much controversy. Some see it as a new way of bringing fossil fuels to the market and causing an upset of the gas market leading to lower prices such as in the US. Others argue that the environmental and social consequences are negative and the contribution to CO2 emissions detrimental to addressing climate change.

EPSU rejects the exploitation of shale gas (and oil) given that the impact on the environment such as ground water that there is considerable public opposition given that much of these longer term effects on the life of citizens is unclear and including the contribution to CO2 emissions.

• 16 May 2013

Citing rising fuel poverty and profiteering, Scottish Trade Union Congress calls for social ownership of energy

At its annual conference in Perth on 16th – 18th April 2013 the Scottish Trades Union Congress passed a resolution aimed at fighting fuel poverty by way of “democratic public ownership of all forms of energy, by taking the profiteering out of basic human needs, like heating, and employing thousands of construction workers and apprentices in an emergency plan of building and renovating affordable social sector housing to the very highest environmental standards.”