Online Conference «Working time reduction and climate crisis»

European Network for the fair sharing of working time

16. June 2021

What role for working time reduction when addressing climate change?

About the conference:

The shorter working week has always been at the heart of the labour movement. The eight-hour movement extended beyond borders and ensured that today we enjoy things like the weekend and the eight-hour day.

After decades in the political wilderness, the shorter working week is fast becoming one of the major political issues across Europe: now it is not only about workers’ wellbeing, equality and the reduction of unemployment – now it could be about saving the planet, too! Research has demonstrated that shorter work hours are associated with reduced carbon emissions, however the relationship is complex.

At our 2020 conference, we discussed the potential contribution of working time reduction to the socio-ecological transition, its role in initiatives addressing climate change and its place in approaches to the European Green New Deal.

The public conference brings together key actors from campaigns on the reduction of working time, policy-makers, and climate initiatives from across Europe.

About the organiser:

The European Network for the fair sharing of working time was set up by ATTAC Germany (ArbeitFairTeilen Group) and the Collectif Roosevelt (France), and today includes numerous organizations such as trade unions, NGOs, citizens’ movements and associations, scientists, policy makers and members of the European Parliament from 15 countries. The conference is supported by the Brussels Office of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung.