AS trade unionists we are all well versed at the art of foresight — looking ahead in a bid to avert crises in our workplaces and our industries. 

However, like the rest of the world we were unable to see Covid-19 coming down the track. 

It remains the case that we are continuing to live through this pandemic and the many difficulties it brings, not least in terms of the health of workers everywhere. 

Rightly, though, we must also now turn our focus towards the post-pandemic recovery. 

That is why our union is pleased to second Composite Motion 13 at Congress — “Rail cuts, climate change and a post-pandemic recovery.” 

I’m clear that the manner in which we plan to come out of the pandemic must not be viewed as an isolated issue. 

The stakes are far too high for such a narrow view to prevail. 

Put simply — though we could not foresee a deadly virus sweeping our planet we can now clearly see the effects of climate change and the urgent need to take drastic action. 

We are asking Congress to back our stance because one thing is for sure — there are precious few signs this failing and dithering Tory government has the competence to do the right thing by our planet, while building a meaningful recovery from the effects of the past 18 months. 

Let’s take these things in turn. It’s inescapably true that the climate crisis is with us right now. 

The events of the summer — floods, intense heatwaves and wildfires — amply illustrate the point. 

It’s almost as though the planet is screaming for help ahead of November’s crucial COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow. 

The British government claims to be showing climate leadership to the world. Frankly, we need more than just words. 

Congress must demand meaningful action from those who rule the roost in Westminster and the devolved administrations on these islands. 

For months now our union — like our sister rail unions — has been grappling with the government’s intention to cut £2 billion from our rail industry support. 

The outcome of that move would likely be the loss of thousands of railway jobs and cuts to many services. 

This is an act of madness, especially in the context of climate change. 

We must grow our economy in a way that doesn’t exacerbate the climate crisis but also reduces carbon emissions. 

A return to failed austerity measures in a bid to redress the financial cost of the pandemic would be deeply damaging and short-sighted in the extreme. 

If the Tories had any real desire to — in the words of their slogan — “build back better,” they would pause for thought about what happens next. 

The long-term national interest — not only in terms of jobs and industry, but the wellbeing of our planet — depends on encouraging people back onto rail. 

At 1 per cent, rail is the lowest contributor to transport carbon emissions and will play a significant part in meeting the climate change challenge. 

Rail freight results in an average of 76 per cent lower emissions than the equivalent road journey. 

We know public transport use collapsed during the pandemic, with the majority of leisure and commuter travel disappearing as lockdowns took hold. 

Nevertheless, rail is the only clean and green way to travel. 

Instead, we are confronted with plans for a wholesale restructuring of the industry by 2023. 

Make no mistake — passengers will feel the brunt of this this through above-inflation fare hikes that build on the 48 per cent real-terms increase since 1997. 

We can neither afford nor allow our rail industry to be diminished in this manner. 

The reduced capacity and temporary reduction in passenger numbers of late does not need to be a signpost to the future. 

That way lies long-term decline of our railways, which benefits no-one at all. What’s needed are pathways which allow and encourage the safe return of passengers to our rail network. 

So let us come together at Congress with a clear voice to campaign for greater rail investment rather than the thin gruel of Tory cuts. 

Let us tell the government straight that rail is key to decarbonisation via investment in low-carbon transport and a future green economy. 

Manuel Cortes is general secretary of TSSA.