RFI-ILAB-22-01.pdf

Request for Information: Safeguarding worker well-being in the wake of climate change

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Bureau of International Affairs (ILAB) is seeking input to this Request for Information (RFI) from organizations and individuals to better inform future programming focused on the nexus between climate change and labor rights. This request is for information purposes only to help ILAB gain a better understanding of potential solutions to support worker well-being in the realm of climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. ILAB may use feedback and comments from this RFI to refine the focus of future funding opportunities. This is not a funding opportunity announcement.

Responses to this RFI are voluntary. Respondents are not required to respond to all questions but may choose to do so. Responding to this RFI will not give an advantage to any organization or individual for any possible subsequent procurement action and will also not lead to a future organizational conflict of interest related to a procurement action. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future funding opportunity announcement, if any is issued. If a funding opportunity announcement is issued, it will be posted on www.grants.gov, and all interested parties must respond to that funding opportunity announcement separately from any response to this RFI.

ILAB may use any, all, or none of the information submitted in response to this RFI. Respondents must identify any information they consider to be sensitive or proprietary. Any information submitted will not be returned, and no payment will be made by the Government for information provided in response to this RFI.

Responses to this RFI should be sent by email to Holly Christofferson at Christofferson.holly.l@dol.gov and Angela Peltzer at Peltzer.Angela.K@dol.gov no later than July 25, 2022, at 11:59PM EDT. Please include RFI Number RFI-ILAB-22-01 in the subject line. All inquiries concerning this RFI must be directed only to the email addresses identified above.

Thank you for your interest in ILAB programs and we look forward to your comments.

Sincerely, Holly Christofferson http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Christofferson.holly.l@dol.gov

Request for Information (RFI)

ISSUANCE DATE: June 15, 2022

CLOSING DATE: July 25, 2022, at 11:59PM EDT

SUBJECT: Request for Information (RFI) – Safeguarding worker well-being in the wake of climate change

BACKGROUND

The most vulnerable populations (e.g., indigenous communities, migrant workers, ethnic minorities, low-income families, and especially women and girls) are also among the most impacted by climate change.

Climate change can have destructive environmental outcomes on communities, can worsen poverty, and can make people more vulnerable to displacement, migration, and trafficking. Rising temperatures, changing agricultural conditions, and precipitation patterns can have job-related impacts, such as heat stress and more precarious working conditions. Reduced crop yields and fish catch can lead to loss of livelihoods, leaving households to resort to extreme economic coping strategies, such as migration or reliance on child labor to make a living. Migrants are often more vulnerable to labor exploitation and trafficking due to lack of social protection and social support networks. Given the dire predictions of climate change inaction, the 26th Annual Summit of the Conference of Parties (COP 26) saw countries making and renewing commitments to mitigate climate change. Through numerous Executive Orders on Climate Change, the Biden-Harris Administration has made bold commitments to tackle climate change and deliver environmental justice, equity, and resiliency at home and abroad. The U.S. recently pledged $600 million to combat global environmental threats for the next four years to support the Global Environment Facility. The United States has also joined the International Labor Organization’s Climate Action for Jobs Initiative to promote decent work, quality jobs, and a just transition in response to climate change.

Government, employers, communities, and workers all have a stake in protecting the environment, and in effective climate change efforts. However too often, the knowledge and wisdom of local communities, and the needs and priorities of the most vulnerable stakeholders and workers, are not considered in the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate actions. This can result in unsustainable outcomes, and at the worst, the results can be catastrophic for people and the planet. It is critical to ensure that climate adaptation and mitigation investments are made wisely and work for everyone. Climate change plans, strategies and programs must safeguard the most vulnerable populations and contribute to sustained community and worker well-being.

The objective of this RFI is to inform ILAB’s future programming on the nexus of climate change and labor rights. The RFI will be used to identify research gaps, promising approaches, practices, and policies in climate change mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation efforts to protect vulnerable communities in a way that secures worker rights and well-being. ILAB seeks input, advice, knowledge, recommendations, and promising practices from a broader audience that is experienced in strengthening citizen engagement and worker voice; and supporting worker well-being in climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.

INSTRUCTIONS:

ILAB seeks to collect feedback on the following questions related to worker-centered climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. When preparing your response to the following questions, please:

• Send responses to this RFI to Holly Christofferson at Christofferson.holly.l@dol.gov and Angela Peltzer at Peltzer.Angela.K@dol.gov no later than July 25, 2022, at 11:59PM EDT;

• Include RFI Number: RFI-ILAB-22-01 in the subject line;

• Include name and/or organization name;

• Include organization type (e.g., non-profit organizations (including faith-based and community-based organizations), for-profit organizations, public and private academic institutions of higher education, and public international organizations);

• Do not submit requests for funding or proposals in response to this request;

• Be concise and specific;

• Identify any information that is considered sensitive or proprietary.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

Understanding the Context

• What factors are contributing to an increase in child labor, forced labor, or other forms of labor exploitation as a result of climate change? What is the evidence base to support this?

• What countries, sectors, and supply chains are at greatest risk of labor exploitation due to climate change?

• In what ways does climate change impact labor exploitation differently based on gender?

• What actions are needed to reduce risks and vulnerabilities to labor exploitation from climate change for workers and affected communities?

Promising Practices

• What are some good examples of national climate change policies that are intended to mitigate climate-induced child labor/forced labor/labor exploitation?

• What are examples of effective worker-responsive climate change strategies?

• What are effective ways to engage workers (including women workers and under-represented groups) in the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate mitigation/adaptation efforts?

Opportunities

• Where are the biggest opportunities to invest in climate change strategies that can also help improve labor rights?

• How might we adapt and mitigate climate change in a way that centers on the well-being of workers and the communities in which they live?

• What role might DOL play to positively impact the wellbeing of workers in the wake of climate change?

• What other questions should we be asking?

Responses to this RFI should be sent by email to Holly Christofferson at christofferson.holly.l@dol.gov with a copy to Angela Peltzer at Peltzer.Angela.K@dol.gov no later than July 25, 2022, at 11:59PM EDT.

Please include RFI Number RFI-ILAB-22-01 in the subject line. All inquiries concerning this RFI must be directed only to the email addresses identified above.

mailto:Christofferson.holly.l@dol.gov mailto:christofferson.holly.l@dol.gov