Trade unions must be at the forefront of action on climate change, according to Fórsa. Speaking last week, Fórsa lead organiser Joe O’Connor said workers and their representatives should be “pioneers who shape the agenda to ensure a just and fair transition for workers and society.”

Joe emphasised the importance of reducing carbon emissions and called for “a fair distribution of the costs and benefits of decarbonisation across the economy, and ensuring a smooth transition for workers.”

He called on everyone, both at the conference and involved in the wider trade union movement “to send a strong signal that we are serious about playing our part” in this transition process.

In his address to conference on Wednesday evening, President Michael D Higgins said civil and public servants would play a central part in efforts to mitigate climate change and ensure sustainable development.