carbon emissions

Climate-fuelled disasters were the number one driver of internal displacement over the last decade – forcing an estimated 20 million people a year from their homes. While no one is immune, it is overwhelmingly poor countries that are most at risk.

“Climate change has set our planet on fire, millions are already feeling the impacts, and the IPCC just showed that things can get much worse," said Raijeli Nicole, regional director for Oxfam in the Pacific.

Oxfam said it is vital that governments return to the negotiating table before the new agreement takes effect from 2020 to strengthen pledges of emissions cuts and agree to new finance levels. 

The poorest half of the world’s population - 3.5 billion people - is responsible for just 10 percent of carbon emissions, despite being the most threatened by the catastrophic storms, droughts, and other severe weather shocks linked to climate change.  

This report is an independent review assessing the commitments that have been proposed ahead of COP21, this December in Paris. It shows that there is still a big gap between these proposals and what it will take to avoid catastrophic climate change and presents recommendations on how  this could be changed.

Negotiators avoided a show-down over crunch issues like finance and increasing near term emissions cuts, but they are only delaying the inevitable. A clearer mandate from Heads of State and ministers is needed to ignite the talks and ensure key questions are answered.

Oxfam welcomes the ambitious Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) from Ethiopia, as it sets far-reaching short-term and long-term goals on adaptation and reducing emissions.

The G7 have made a stuttering start on climate but have largely neglected the plight of people living in poverty, said Oxfam at the close of the annual leaders’ summit in Germany today.