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The European Commission risks betraying the Paris climate agreement by suggesting that Europe is doing enough to tackle runaway climate change, says Oxfam.

Following the publication of a major new report by the Global Commission on Adaptation today, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of Oxfam and a member of the Commission said: “For too long adaption has been treated as if it were less important than emissions reductions. This report shows we need both: much deeper and quicker cuts in emissions and much more help for vulnerable communities from the Bahamas to Mozambique who are struggling to survive in the face of this crisis.“People on the front line of the climate crisis, who did least to cause it, have been largely …

Hundreds of European cities, regions, businesses, youth and faith groups and civil society organisations are urging European leaders to take decisive action to respond to the climate emergency by profoundly altering the way we run our societies and economies to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.

In reaction to another draft of the climate change agreement unveiled on Thursday night in Paris, Oxfam Executive Director Helen Szoke said: “In a big win for developing and vulnerable countries, the draft has affirmed the need to set quantified funding goals for both climate change mitigation and adaptation for the years after 2020. This is a very encouraging development and we strongly urge negotiators to keep this in the final agreement. The only caveat is that no firm target for funds meant to help vulnerable people adapt to climate change has been identified.“The loss of…

“The G20 reiterated previous commitments to reduce inequality, boost the participation of women in work and phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. The G20 said they would draw up a proper response to the refugee and migrant challenge next year, which is too late. The world needs urgent action now, not more words.”

The joint US-China statement on new domestic policy commitments and a vision for a global climate change deal underscores the importance the world’s two largest emitters place on solving the climate crisis, says Oxfam, but collective action is needed.

Oxfam welcomed reports of increased climate finance pledges made by finance ministers in Lima today, but warned that only a fraction is meant to help countries most vulnerable adapt to the devastating effects of climate change.

 Oxfam analysis of how climate change funds are allocated and accounted for shows very concerning trends for the world’s poorest countries and communities.

Joint Media Reaction by Oxfam, CAN Europe, APRODEV, CIDSE

Government leaders, ministers, and other representatives from countries participating in the COP 23 climate summit in Bonn spoke at the start of the "high-level segment."Reacting to remarks by German chancellor Angela Merkel, Jan Kowalzig, Oxfam Germany’s climate change policy lead said:“Angela Merkel referred to Germany’s 2020 emission reduction target, but failed to explain how her next government plans to avoid the looming embarrassment of missing that target by a wide margin. This would have been a powerful way to show she’s dedicated to meeting the Paris…