Few amongst you may know that ECO is a music composer in our free time. One day, while marching for a just and equitable phase out of fossil fuels, and for making the Paris Agreement real in every sector of the economy, ECO came up with the idea of creating a rock band. Our songs would be inspired by the struggles and power of all the people – workers and communities – who have been fighting for their rights and for a just transition that puts them front and centre. Our band’s name will be JTWP (Work Programme on Just Transition Pathways).
Parties gave us some musical instruments to start with (a scope that covers workers and decent work, social dimensions, international cooperation, participation) and we have the right tempo (dialogues, high level ministerial, annual decisions).
But we can’t start yet. There is still noise around us. Bracketed text on unilateral measures and labour rights has not been solved, and we hear our song if we’re not all in tune.
The risk for our band to break up before even playing a song is very real, so ECO is worried.
Does the Presidency hear the urgent need to have JTWP up and playing and singing strong over the noise? Don’t they want to hear the amazing songs we could sing by COP30 in Brazil? Will they forget that the Just Transition Work Programme is still pending?
The festival of a fossil-free future needs us on stage. The JTWP can bring that perfect mix of alternative development pathways, social justice, human, labour, gender, future generations and indigenous peoples’ rights, which the planet so desperately needs
As soon as this noise issue is solved, our JTWP band will go to play in the GST. We ask to be called on the right stage (clearly not in response measures) and with an invitation to deliver an operational outcome.
Let the JTWP play! Those who are rarely invited to the climate party are watching…