Oxfam reaction on US Intended Nationally Determined Contributions

In response to today's announcement of the US Government's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), Heather Kaplan, Oxfam America's Climate Change Manager, made the following statement:

"Oxfam praises the United States Government’s commitment to reduce emissions 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, a critical step forward in transitioning to a clean energy economy. Today’s announcement demonstrates the Administration’s ongoing commitment to provide global leadership on climate change and brings us closer to a global deal in 2015.

"While this contribution does move us closer to the 2-degree pathway, it does not represent the level of ambition needed to avoid catastrophic climate change.

"The US must now shift its attention towards scaling up climate finance with a focus on adaptation, improving the effectiveness and quality of climate finance, and addressing inevitable loss and damage in developing countries.

"Cyclone Pam’s recent destruction in the Pacific is a tragic reminder that the least developed countries – who have contributed almost nothing to the problem of climate change – are suffering the devastating consequences of global inaction.

"Congress must follow-through on the President’s request of $500 million, the first installment towards meeting a pledge of $3 billion over the next four years to the Green Climate Fund, a multilateral trust fund that will assist developing countries as they adapt to the effects of climate change and invest in climate change mitigation."