WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 14, 2014) – Today the 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP 20) concluded in Lima, Peru. BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Kim Glas released the following statement on the framework approved by global negotiators.

“Building off of the commitments to the Green Climate Fund and significant bilateral agreement between the US and China, the Lima Call to Action takes steps towards a global agreement at COP21 in Paris next year. However, there’s no getting around the fact that an agreement will be insufficient for millions of working families across the world unless it includes a community resilience strategy to help workers negotiate a fair and just transition to the clean economy. We are missing an important opportunity unless we choose to invest in both the economic and environmental needs of this and future generations.

“Serious consideration must also be given to policies that put a price on carbon to meet global emissions goals and invest in our communities. Climate change is having an impact on us all regardless of borders and we must do more to protect communities from these impacts. The solutions for addressing climate change cannot sacrifice workers, their families and the communities that depend on them.”