Documents Bell, Karen 2 results

"This study highlights the views of a cross-section of current and former defence workers on transitioning the defence sector to environmental sustainability in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). It is framed by the ethos of ‘Just Transition', a call for entering into social dialogue with workers around what the transition to environmental sustainability means for their lives, identities, jobs and communities. Within this, the project focuses on ‘decarbonisation' and ‘diversification' as two key processes that are particularly relevant to the defence sector. The definitions used for the key terms are as follows:
● Defence sector: ‘Those currently or formerly involved in the design, manufacture and use of defence equipment and the research and development associated with this'
● Decarbonisation: ‘The process of reducing the carbon emissions which contribute to climate change'
● Diversification: 'The broadening of defence sector business to non-military business fields'
● Just Transition: ‘A framework developed by trade unions and communities to secure workers' rights and livelihoods and community well-being when shifting to sustainable production'"

"This paper highlights the perspectives of defence workers regarding a Just Transition of their industry, one of the most environmentally harmful sectors in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, pollution and use of non-renewable resources. It is based on (i) interviews with defence sector workers in the United States and the United Kingdom (n58); and (ii) focus groups with key representatives of national and international labour unions, defence companies and relevant NGOs (n18). Some of these defence workers and their trade union representatives envisioned a transformational path towards sustainability, including converting the defence sector to more socially useful production. Drawing on Gramsci, we define these as ‘counter-hegemonic views', since they challenge the hegemonic ‘growth coalition' and ‘treadmill of destruction' paradigms. Such views support and echo more radical interpretations of Just Transition, emphasising the necessity of a structural transformation of society to achieve a fair and effective transition to sustainability."