THE government’s failure to tackle climate — with councils forced to bid for what little funding is available — is leading to disaster, Yorkshire and Humber TUC conference heard.

West Yorkshire Association of Trade Union Councils (WYATUC) warned that without action, humanity was “on the verge of irreversible tipping points leading to an uncharted territory of destruction in our lifetimes.”

Delegate Kevin Pattinson told conference that while local authorities and trade unions were doing what they could, including plans to “decarbonise” hundreds of thousands of houses with insulation and ground heat pumps, “each time they apply for funding they are competing with other councils.”

Andy Jones of Unite said: “Doing nothing or doing little is not an option.”

WYTAC said unions needed to take a lead in tackling climate change, first by “decarbonising” their own activities, campaigning for de-carbonised schools and homes and a transition to “green” jobs.

Martin Mayer, of South Yorkshire County Association of Trade Union Councils, said: “There are no jobs on a dead planet.”