climate

The 150 countries that have now publicly committed to carbon reduction pledges show that December’s UN climate summit in Paris could, at last, be built on international cooperation rather than competition. 

The India climate action plan for Paris announced today contains the headline pledge to cut the carbon intensity of its economy by 33-35% by 2030. 

In Cambodia, recurrent drought periods and floods have become a major concern and a big challenge for many farmers. With support from a local organization funded by Oxfam, Mrs. Sao Khea, a Cambodian farmer learned about how to overcome these challenges and minimize the risks caused by climate change.

South Africa has today tabled its climate action plan for Paris, committing to put a lid on rising emissions through to 2030. How low they are able to plateau will depend on international support meaning so climate finance will be key to unlock greater ambition, says Oxfam.

EU environment ministers again acknowledged the importance of financial support for climate action in poor and vulnerable countries in the Paris climate agreement, but they must invest in the Green Climate Fund, says Oxfam.

Oxfam will support the Voice2Paris global storytelling contest launched in August by the United National Development Programme (UNDP) by providing three additional fellowships for participating journalists to cover the UN Conference on Climate Change, COP21, in Paris in December.

Vanuatu could face a second emergency with waterborne disease a real risk if the need for clean water, sanitation and hygiene is not met, Oxfam said today. 

Oxfam is prepared for a major disaster response in the Philippines after Cyclone Hagupit was upgraded to a Super Typhoon – the same classification as Typhoon Haiyan – which wrought destruction on the country a year ago.