What workers want: Conditions for a fair and just transition in the UK

 

Authored by Vera Trappmann, Jo Cutter, and Alice Garvey in June 2025.

Download or view the full report: What workers want: Conditions for a fair and just transition in the UK

Summary

This report synthesises wide-ranging research from the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) which points to conditions for a low carbon transition, from the perspectives of both workers and those who represent them. It recommends that the UK government learns from international example to ensure oversight and fairness in the transition and reap the co-benefits that a managed transition can provide.​

Overview

Conditions for a just transition

Trade Unions:

1. Early participation, inclusion and coordination
2. Clarity of government policy around industrial decarbonisation
3. Recognising green union representatives and improving their capacity

Workers:

1. Maintaining or creating local, meaningful, quality jobs
2. Improving training infrastructure to provide guidance, support and funded reskilling
3. Building capacity to engage with workplace decarbonisation planning

Joint condition: Jobs are created for people and places most affected by transition

About the authors 

Vera Trappmann is Professor of Comparative Employment Relations at Leeds University Business School.

Jo Cutter is a Lecturer in Work and Employment Relations at Leeds University Business School.

Alice Garvey is a Researcher at the Climate Evidence Unit.

To cite this policy brief, please reference: Trappmann, V. , Cutter, J. and Garvey, A. (2025) What workers want: Conditions for a fair and just transition in the UK. Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, Climate Evidence Unit, University of Leeds. https://doi.org/10.48785/100/347