The future of labor law: greener employment relations?

Abstract

The article analyzes the growing interrelation between the environment and labor relations, two fields that were historically considered separate. From milestones such as the Stockholm Conference (1972), the Brundtland Report (1987), the Rio Summit (1992), the Kyoto Protocol (1997), and the Paris Agreement (2015), it becomes clear that sustainability has become a central axis of the international agenda. These processes have given rise to the concept of a just transition, promoted by the ILO and the European Union, which seeks to reconcile the fight against climate change with the creation of decent jobs, social protection, and the reduction of inequalities.

The text highlights the importance of social dialogue, collective bargaining, and continuous training as key tools to manage the effects of the green transformation on the labor market. It also underlines the role of companies, trade unions, and governments in ensuring that workers are not the main victims, but rather protagonists of a more sustainable economic model. Examples are mentioned of collective agreements in different countries that include green clauses, as well as European initiatives such as the Green Deal and training programs in digital and environmental skills. Finally, it emphasizes the need to integrate sustainability and the prevention of new occupational risks into labor law, recognizing that only green jobs that guarantee decent, safe, and healthy conditions can truly be considered sustainable.