The purpose of this brief is to highlight the close inter-linkages between climate change and the world of work. It aims to promote a better understanding between both spheres and greater coherence between climate, social and labour policies. The brief contains brief summaries of the state of knowledge about climate change, the mechanisms and the effects and of the repercussions for the world of work. It introduces salient features of the present international climate regime such as the UN convention and the Kyoto Protocol and of the current negotiations to arrive at a new global agreement in Copenhagen
in December 2009.