Press releases

International agency Oxfam has apologized to the Government of Saudi Arabia and to the Bureau, secretariat and members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for an offensive incident that occurred at a meeting in Bonn in June.

Small-scale farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia are likely to bear the brunt of the negative impacts of climate change in the region, which will include increasing poverty, water scarcity, and food insecurity, according to a new Oxfam report.

Environment Ministers from 45 countries will be gathering on 16 and 17 November to map out what the climate deal will look like. The meeting is an opportunity for rich countries to get the Climate Summit off on the right track and show poor countries that there is still a deal worth fighting for.

Oxfam Global Ambassadors Angélique Kidjo, Baaba Maal and Miguel Bosé, alongside many other celebrities, have shared an eyes-only selfie on social media to tell world leaders they have their #eyesonParis for action on climate change.

“The postponement should not delay urgently needed action on climate change which is already increasing poverty and suffering around the world", said Danny Sriskandarajah, Oxfam GB Chief Executive, in response to the announcement that the UN Climate Summit is being pushed back to November 2021 ―a year after it was originally scheduled. 

In reaction to the UNFCCC NDC Synthesis report launched today, Oxfam's Global Climate Policy Lead, Nafkote Dabi, said: “Today’s report findings are appalling. The combined climate plans submitted account to a dismal 1% emissions reduction, far below the 45% reduction needed to limit global warming below 1.5 degrees, and avoid disastrous impacts on vulnerable communities."
 

Negotiators have given themselves the tools to build a stronger deal in Paris, but governments must now put them to good use. Oxfam will continue to press for a climate deal for the world’s poorest people. Exclusion of civil society from the process that has characterized the meeting in Bonn must not be a precedent for Paris.

Soros’ proposal shows exactly the kind of ambition and urgency we need to see from rich country governments themselves. These kinds of long-term public resources are desperately needed so that poor countries can count on regular, and large payments to help them fight climate change.