Unions are urged to be "red and green" to save the planet

Climate chaos will be unleashed in less than a generation unless unions help exert "irresistible pressure" to reduce carbon emissions, attendees were told at last month's "Green the workplace" conference organised by public services union UNISON.

Speakers warned that the danger threshold of a 2¡C rise in temperature could be reached in 20 years, leading to rising sea levels, food shortages, health problems and millions of deaths. Following the Stern review's publication last October, the science is no longer in doubt.

TUC deputy general secretary Frances O'Grady told the conference that "climate change can only be tackled by collectivism, not by consumerism", adding that "trade unions must be green as well as red".

She called for the 1,000 union environment reps, also known as "climate change champions", to get the same rights as learning reps to time off and facility time.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis stressed the need for unions to act now: "We can't preach without putting our own house in order." Urging unions to get involved with environmental campaigns, he praised UNISON's affiliation to the Stop Climate Chaos coalition.

Environment minister David Miliband argued that the battle against climate change needs unions, and that unions must campaign on the issue to attract young workers. But he would not be drawn on whether union rights will be extended to environment reps.