UNISON members speak out: the climate crisis is already changing our work

Over 10,000 UNISON members have had their say and the message is clear: the climate crisis is here.

The climate crisis is the urgent and growing threat caused by human activity heating our planet. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental destruction are putting lives, jobs, and communities at risk. It’s an issue that affects everyone – but especially working people – and demands action now to protect our future, our workplaces, and our world.

For the thousands of UNISON members across environment agencies, and for those whose full-time roles are dedicated to leading climate transformation in their workplaces, the impact is even more direct. Their daily work – preventing environmental harm, responding to climate emergencies, and driving decarbonisation – is already becoming harder and more urgent.

In response to this crisis, UNISON has decided to make 2026 its Year of Green Activity. The aims of the year include:

• highlight why climate change is an important trade union issue in UNISON
• showcase the support we can offer members to get involved
• increase the number of branch environmental officers nationwide
• encourage formal and informal networks to support engagement on the climate crisis.

As part of this vital work, and to add to its focus, the union asked members from every service and sector to take part in a survey and share their views and experiences on climate and environmental issues.

Climate crisis concern runs deep 

A staggering 93% of members said that they are “concerned” about climate and environmental issues – with more than half saying they are “very concerned”.

And this is a personal concern – from floods cancelling appointments to unbearable working conditions during heatwaves, members are living through the realities of a changing climate every day.

‘As an occupational therapist we’ve noticed appointments must be cancelled due to floods and increases in strokes and premature births due to air pollution. It all increases our workloads’

 ‘I work outside all day – extreme heat is making it almost impossible to do my job’

 ‘During the heatwaves we had to move patients to cooler inner corridors, which added time to getting them to their consultations’

These stories paint a picture of a workforce already adapting – without the resources, training, or support they need.

Action without confidence 

Of those who responded to the survey, 87% are already active on climate issues in some way – from supporting campaigns, reducing waste, or pushing for greener policies in their workplaces.

And yet 43% of members say they don’t feel confident talking about climate change with friends, family, or colleagues.

This combination of high engagement but low confidence shows both the passion and potential within UNISON membership. The Year of Green Activity aims to build on that potential by informing, educating, and empowering members to speak up and act.

Employers lagging behind

One of the most striking findings is how little members know about what their employers are doing on climate change.

Of those who responded, 45% said they don’t know if their employer is taking steps to tackle climate and environmental issues, while 62% said their employer isn’t taking steps to tackle climate change or they don’t know if they are.

This suggests a clear gap – in action, communication, or both. At the same time, 73% of members say they want their employer to do more.

‘We’re having to adapt to climate change, there is little training, and all the extra work is on top of austerity-starved services’

Public service workers are doing their part, now it’s time for employers to step-up – not just to reduce emissions, but to protect staff and service users from the effects already being felt.

Climate and the ballot box

The climate crisis isn’t just a workplace issue; it’s a political one.

85% of respondents said climate and environmental issues were important to them when they voted in the 2024 General Election. And 87% said their vote in future elections – whether local, mayoral, or national – will be influenced by parties’ policies on climate and the environment.

This is a clear mandate for change. UNISON members, public service workers, expect those in power to take the climate crisis seriously – and they’re ready to hold them accountable.

Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue – it’s a workplace, health, and equality issue too. 

From healthcare to education, social care to local government, members described the real-world consequences of climate change on their work.

‘We’re expected to work in increasing temperatures with no air-conditioning in patient areas — south-facing areas become unbearable’

‘Many of the children and young people I work with feel anxious about their futures’

‘I work in resilience planning in rural areas. Extreme weather can quickly cut off communities’

‘As a health care assistant, we’re on the front line of human impact and climate change is a care issue – it affects who I care for, how I care and the work environment’

UNISON is pioneering the green conversation: join the Year of Green Activity

UNISON has been active on climate issues since before the Kyoto Summit in 1997, and 2026 will build on that proud history. As one member put it in the survey: “Everyone’s job is impacted by climate change – anyone who thinks otherwise needs to think again.”

Looking ahead to the year, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea says: “The effects of climate change are already being felt across the UK and throughout its public services. And our members are already helping to prevent, prepare for and protect against those effects.

“Whether its sustainability officers working to decarbonise the NHS, members on the front line of flood defences in our environment agencies, or care workers supporting the elderly through a heatwave, all our members are being affected in some way.

“Tackling climate change can’t wait for a more convenient time – there’s too much at stake for our members, their jobs, their families and the communities we all live in. We must act now.

“That’s why 2026 is our Year of Green Activity. And there are many ways you can get involved.”

The Year of Green Activity is a chance for every member, in every sector, to get engaged with the issue  – whether by joining a green event, becoming a green rep, or starting a conversation in their workplace about what can be done.

In January, UNISON will launch the full survey outlined here, as well as bitesize climate-learning modules that branches can run as lunchtime sessions to engage and educate members on the climate crisis, and an expert guide on “how to talk about climate change”.

From there on, and throughout 2026, there will be a whole calendar of activities to get involved in, including:

• February, an opportunity to meet the UNISON members who work as sustainability officers in their workplaces – and learn what they do
• April, learn how members in the energy sector are affected by the move to net zero
• May, a call for environmental reps to be afforded statutory facility time
• June, a solidarity message for International Refugee Week
• August, a health and safety campaign demanding a legally binding maximum workplace temperature
• September, find out how members working in the Environment Agency and water companies are being directly affected by climate change.
• And also in September – a green film festival, with virtual screenings!

And so much more. The climate crisis is already reshaping members’ work. Together, and with UNISON beside them, they ensure that change leads to safer, fairer and greener public services for all.