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Doing Our Fairshare: New Zealand’s Responsibility to Provide Climate Finance Report

Two new reports reveal how New Zealand can meet its climate finance obligations ahead of COP29.

Auckland, New Zealand –Humanitarian agencies World Vision New Zealand and Oxfam Aotearoa, alongside the New Zealand Climate Action Network (NZCAN), have released two important climate finance reports today.

These reports are published during the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga and ahead of the United Nations climate change conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the New Zealand government will be participating in negotiations on climate finance to fund climate change adaptation and mitigation measures

Doing Our Fair Share: New Zealand’s Responsibility to Provide Climate Finance, is published today by World Vision New Zealand and Oxfam Aotearoa.

“Our report highlights New Zealand’s responsibility to bolster its climate finance support for communities on the frontlines of climate change in the Pacific” says co-author, World Vision’s Advocacy Policy and Research Advisor, Dr Olivia Yates.

“As climate change intensifies, those communities least responsible are paying the highest price. Children and their families who are facing the most severe impacts often live in poverty, unable to afford the necessary tools to switch to greener, more climate-resilient livelihoods and prepare for future unprecedented extreme weather,” she says.

Co-Author, Oxfam Aotearoa’s Climate Justice Lead Dr Nick Henry says “New Zealand’s climate finance is helping to build resilience for Pacific communities on the frontlines of climate change. The need for support will only increase in the coming years and New Zealand should continue to stand with the Pacific and be ready to contribute our fair share.”

The report reveals that to meet its fair share of climate finance, New Zealand should be contributing between 0.38% and 0.66% of the global climate goal, which currently equates to between NZ$558 million and NZ$953 million each year, based on our gross national income (GNI) and historic greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, New Zealand is only fulfilling 34% to 58% of this target.

The report shows that, although New Zealand’s climate finance falls short by over NZ$200 million, its funding has been steadily increasing. In the next funding round (2026-2030), New Zealand has a fresh opportunity to show global leadership by committing to provide a fair share of climate finance.

Dr Olivia Yates hopes the report will encourage the government to take seriously the need for ambitious climate finance in its upcoming climate finance decisions. 

“While all countries must act on climate change, higher-income countries like New Zealand should pay their ‘fair share’ of the bill for climate action, based on their higher historical emissions and financial capability.”

Climate finance involves funding to support lower-income countries to cover the costs of shifting to greener systems, adapting to our warming world, and dealing with losses and damages from extreme weather – all vital for a response to climate change that leaves no one behind.

‘Seizing the Moment: A New Climate Finance Goal That Delivers for the Pacific’, by Climate Action Networks (CAN) in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, calls on the New Zealand Government to stand with the Pacific and commit to new funding aligned with a stronger global goal on climate finance, known as the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), to be set at COP29 this November.

The NCQG is set to replace the prior US$100 billion (NZ$146 billion) annual global goal, a promise made by higher-income nations in 2010 to provide at least US$100 billion annually for climate change adaptation and mitigation each year.

Dr Nick Henry, Climate Justice Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa and co-author on the CAN report, says that funding to-date has been far from fair.

“The previous $100 billion goal was largely met in 2022 through loans and redirected development assistance, exacerbating debt burdens in lower-income countries. Countries on the frontlines of climate change now spend more paying debts than they receive in aid.”

The CAN report calls for a global target of at least US$1 trillion per year (NZ$1.46 trillion), prioritising grants over loans, to adequately support those hit hardest by climate change.

“At COP29, New Zealand has an opportunity to stand with the Pacific and advocate for a stronger, fairer climate finance target,” he says.

“New Zealand should commit to its fair share of the refreshed global goal, retaining its emphasis on grants instead of loans, and in addition to current aid efforts, to show enduring support, leadership, and a commitment to equity.”

As COP29 approaches, New Zealand has the opportunity—and the responsibility—to increase its fair share of climate finance and stand with the Pacific to ensure a fairer and more sustainable future for people most affected by climate change. Countries on the frontlines are urging global action, and New Zealand must rise to the challenge.

Note to Editors:

New Zealand’s fair share of climate finance has been calculated by looking at the country’s share of responsibility for climate change (based on the country’s cumulative emissions of greenhouse gases since 1992 and since 1850) and its ability to pay (according to its Gross National Income) relative to other higher-income (“Annex II”) countries.

Media Contact:

For a copy of the report, or to arrange interviews, please contact: Rachel Schaevitz – rachel.schaevitz@oxfam.org.nz or 027 959 5555 Ashley Miln – Ashley.miln@worldvision.org.nz or 020-4051-3769 Kirsty Jones – Kirsty.jones@worldvision.org.nz or (09) 580 7753

Bangladesh Floods: Affected Communities Look for Urgent Support

The ongoing flash floods in Bangladesh, triggered by relentless heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, and upstream water releases from India, have devastated 12 districts, leaving millions stranded and in desperate need of aid. According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, with nearly 5 million people affected and at least 18 lives lost, the situation is dire.

With roads cut off and communication networks down, Oxfam in Bangladesh is on the ground, delivering urgent life-saving support to the most vulnerable. The organization calls for urgent support as the country battles one of the worst flooding crises in recent memory.

Ashish Damle, Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, expressed deep concern over the scale of the disaster: “This is one of the most severe flooding events Bangladesh has faced in recent years with millions stranded without access to essential resources. We urgently need the global community to stand with us in providing life-saving support to those most affected.”

“On the ground, our colleagues are supporting the people in need. We also call on individuals, organizations, and communities to stand by affected communities,'” he added.  

The floodwaters have ravaged homes, destroyed critical infrastructure, and submerged vast agricultural land across districts, including Cumilla, Noakhali, Feni, Chittagong, and Sylhet. Feni district has been particularly hard hit, with residents struggling to survive amid limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. 

The disaster has rendered over 2,000 mobile towers inoperative and severed key rail and road connections, severely hampering communication and the coordination of relief efforts. The floods have also displaced around 200,000 people and damaged over 350,000 hectares of crops, threatening food security in the coming months. With 1.1 million people still without electricity, the disruption to communication networks continues to pose significant challenges.

Nazrul Islam, a resident of Feni district, described the reality: “We have lost everything. Our home, which once sheltered us, is now completely submerged under water. We have no food to eat, no clean water to drink, and no place to turn to for help. We are struggling to survive each day, praying for any assistance that can help us make it through this nightmare.”

Along with partners, Oxfam is also responding to the situation, addressing immediate lifesaving needs. In the coming weeks, Oxfam plans to intensify its efforts, addressing critical needs in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), protection, shelter, and livelihood assistance. These include distributing dignity kits, baby food, cooked meals, and sanitation facilities.

Oxfam urgently seeks EUR 3 million to reach 170,000 people to respond to this escalating crisis effectively. Additionally, EUR 5 million ($5.4 million NZD)  is required for long-term rehabilitation efforts to support 300,000 people through the restoration of WASH facilities, shelter repairs, and rebuilding of livelihoods and community infrastructure. Oxfam’s priority intervention locations include Feni, Noakhali, Chittagong, the Hill Tracts, and Moulvibazar.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) warns of continued heavy rainfall over the next 72 hours, making the situation precarious. Oxfam is committed to staying with these communities throughout the crisis and recovery phase, but we cannot do it alone. We need your help now more than ever.

Contact information:

Rachel Schaevitz, Rachel.schaevitz@oxfam.org.nz

DRC: Oxfam responds to Mpox outbreak in Equateur as it reaches alarming levels

The MPox epidemic has reached alarming levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as more than 15,000 cases and over 540 deaths have been reported across the country since the beginning of the year. Oxfam is mounting an immediate response particularly in the most affected province of Equateur.

Justine Tossou Gomis, Oxfam’s Country Director for the DRC, said:

“The situation in Equateur is particularly alarming, with over 320 deaths already reported. Very poor water and sanitation have led to the spread of diseases and the resurgence of several epidemics. Entire communities already struggling with poor sanitation are now at risk.”

Working closely with the national authorities and partners, Oxfam aims to support approximately 80,000 people across Mbandaka, Bikoro, Bolenge, Tondo, and Ingende with hygiene and prevention awareness, clean water and sanitation, while strengthening community engagement and the preparedness of health institutions in the province.

“Our response builds on Oxfam’s track record of public health and sanitation programmes in Equateur since Ebola. We will work with local communities and partners to provide hygiene and sanitation kits and information on how to prevent viral contamination,” added Tossou.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Wednesday that the Mpox outbreak has already affected several African countries and constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. Oxfam is closely monitoring the situation in these countries to assess needs.

The Minister of Health, Hygiene, and Social Welfare of the DRC gave an alarming report on the Mpox epidemic in the DRC and called on the entire community to change their behavior to counter the spread of the epidemic.

Notes:

  • Since 2002, Oxfam has been operating in the Equateur province, working in the sectors of water, hygiene, sanitation, health, and education. Currently, we are implementing actions in water, hygiene, sanitation, protection, and gender in four health zones (Mbandaka, Bikoro, Lotumbe, and Iboko) most affected by the monkeypox epidemic.
  • According to the latest Ministry of Health epidemiological report, the DRC has recorded 15,664 potential cases and 548 deaths since the beginning of the year. The most affected provinces are Equateur, South Kivu, South Ubangi, Sankuru, Tshuapa, Mongala, and Tshopo. The Equateur province has seen the highest number of cases and 321 deaths. 

Contact

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: In Goma, DRC: Alain Nkingi in DRC +243(0)816994725  ANkingi@oxfam.org.uk  or In Oxford: Nesrine Aly nesrine.aly@oxfam.org

Towards Transparent, Accountable and Inclusive Climate Change Policies in Timor-Leste

Oxfam in Timor-Leste has released a report analyzing the climate change policies in Timor-Leste with a focus on transparency, accountability, and inclusivity. The report highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable groups, particularly women and people with disabilities, and underscores the importance of effective climate finance disbursement to help these communities build resilience.

“Vulnerable groups in Timor-Leste, particularly women and people with disabilities, are already experiencing severe impacts caused by climate breakdown. We need a climate action plan that enables the most vulnerable to participate,” said Jude Perera, Country Director for Oxfam in Timor-Leste.

The report emphasizes that climate finance is critical to help these communities build resilience. It outlines how the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) influences climate finance allocation through its policies. The policies analyzed include the Strategic Development Plan, National Adaptation Plan, Nationally Determined Contribution, National Climate Change Policy, Zero Draft Carbon Farming Policy and Guidelines, and the proposed Climate Change Framework Law.

A key recommendation from the scoping study is the need for greater transparency. The report recommends that all climate change policies should be available in Tetum on a Climate Change Information webpage and that the GoTL should expand its direct engagement with communities on climate change.

Accountability is another crucial aspect highlighted in the report. While the policy framework includes provisions promoting accountability, their implementation is largely lacking. The report recommends that the GoTL implement these accountability measures and develop a national monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning framework.

“The government has made significant progress in creating a policy framework that enables affected communities to hold it to account for its climate action. We want to work with the government to implement its good intentions,” Perera stated.

“Oxfam calls on the government to develop a framework to monitor the implementation of its climate change policies,” Perera emphasized.

Although gender equity is an important element of the GoTL’s climate change policy approach, the report calls for the GoTL to implement all provisions promoting gender equity.

“Oxfam congratulates the Government of Timor-Leste for including gender equity as a core focus of its climate change response. What we need to see now is action. The government should urgently develop guidelines for mainstreaming gender into Timor-Leste’s climate change response as provided for in its National Adaptation Plan,” said Lucio Savio, Climate Justice Programme Manager.

In addition, the report points out that the current policy framework does not specifically address the challenges faced by people with disabilities in relation to climate breakdown.

“People with disabilities have been left behind from Timor-Leste’s response to climate change. We call upon the government to update all climate policies to include the rights, needs, and priorities of people with disabilities,” Savio added. 

The report underscores the need for a climate finance plan and mobilization strategy. Implementing the climate change policy framework depends on dedicated financial resources. The report calls on the GoTL to develop a financing plan that outlines how Timor-Leste’s climate policies will be funded and a strategy to access international support required to undertake climate action.

“Climate finance is the key to helping vulnerable communities build resilience to climate breakdown, yet it’s missing from the government’s climate change response. Oxfam is calling on the government to develop a plan to finance its climate policies and a strategy to access international support,” Savio emphasized.

To access the report, visit here.

The Climate Finance Project is supported by the New Zealand Aid Program. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Oxfam in Timor-Leste, and the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the New Zealand Government.

About Oxfam in Timor-Leste:

Oxfam in Timor-Leste (OiTL) is part of a global movement that fights against inequality, poverty, and injustice.  Oxfam works in more than 60 countries in partnership with over 3,500 organizations to deliver 22 million programmes. Over 50 percent of those working with us are women and girls.

Oxfam has been working with the Timorese people for almost 50 years. We are an organization focused on rights and a leader in our partnership model, to enable our partners to conduct activities in rural communities. One of our objectives is to advance our work to influence development challenges such as land rights and economic diversification. 

Amitabh Behar named Oxfam International’s Executive Director

Oxfam International is pleased to announce the appointment of Amitabh Behar as its new Executive Director. Behar is a respected global civil society leader, with three decades of experience and extensive work on human rights, economic inequalities, governance accountability, philanthropy, democracy and social justice. He was selected following a competitive recruitment process.

Behar joined Oxfam in April 2018 as the Chief Executive of Oxfam India. More recently, he served as Oxfam International’s Interim Executive Director.

“Behar is a thoughtful and creative feminist leader, with an in-depth understanding of the causes and complexities of poverty, inequality, discrimination and suffering. We are confident in his ability to convene our confederation, alongside our partners, to deliver our vision for a just and equal world,” said Dr. Aruna Rao, the Chair of the Oxfam International Board of Directors.

Behar said: “I embark on this new chapter acutely aware of the global and interconnected challenges we face in our world today. We require urgent action built on new solidarities, new imaginations, and new dreams to deliver a more equal and sustainable future for all.

“Oxfam carries a rich legacy rooted in working with communities while advocating for systemic change. I am eager to channel our collective energies, boldness, resources, and partnerships in support of peoples’ power for the good of majority of the global population.”

Behar has made valuable contributions to Oxfam’s transformation of its own confederation, decolonizing its decision-making and strengthening its collective structure and policies. He has been widely recognized for his work on people-centric advocacy, governance accountability, social and economic equality, and citizen participation.

Prior to Oxfam, Behar was Executive Director of the National Foundation for India and Co-Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. He has also served as the Vice-Chair of the Board of CIVICUS and the Chair of Navsarjan (Ahmedabad) and President of Yuva in Mumbai. He currently serves on the boards of several other organizations, including the Global Fund for Community Foundation and the Norwegian Human Rights Fund.

Contact: Rachel Schaevitz, rachel.schaevitz@oxfam.org.nz

South Sudan: Hunger crisis escalates

People in Pibor County resort to eating wild vegetables as hunger crisis escalates 

Upcoming rainy season set to reach record-high levels and will likely decimate crops. 

People in South Sudan’s Pibor county are forced to survive on wild vegetables and desert dates as the number of people dying from starvation rises. With torrential rains halting aid flights, the situation could get much worse quickly, warned Oxfam today.  

 More than half the population – over 7 million people – are already facing extreme hunger, including nearly 79,000 people facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, which is more than double that of last year. 

Dr. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam South Sudan Country Director said: “The scenes of suffering are heart-wrenching. Thousands of people both young and old are hungry and children severely malnourished; many people are going for days without anything to eat. Just this month alone, (July) more than 12 people died from starvation” 

 “The situation will be aggravated by flooding that has started. Record-level flooding is forecasted for this rainy season (June- September), and likely to decimate crops and probably push approximately 3.3 million already vulnerable people to a breaking point.” 

South Sudan continues to suffer from climate induced challenges-like flooding and drought. Over 70% of the country, including Pibor region, has been affected by floods for the past 6 consecutive years. This is aggravated by the economic crisis, ongoing conflict in neighbouring Sudan fueling hunger levels in the majority of communities within South Sudan. 

 Moreover, these drivers have together forced the plummeting of the South Sudanese currency and triggered the highest real food inflation since independence (164%) according to the World Bank, making it harder for people to access food. The prices of staple foods such as wheat, sorghum, oil, and flour have all increased, with some more than tripled since March this year. 

 Adau Nyok, living in the capital of Juba said: “Three months ago, I used to buy 10kg of flour for 3500 SSP ($3.50 NZD). Now it costs me 15,000 SSP ($15.75 USD). Unfortunately, the prices keep rising and we can no longer afford it due to lack of access to cash.”   

As Oxfam and partners provide life-saving interventions like food, cash, clean water supplies and sanitation in South Sudan, Oxfam staff have heard harrowing stories from families who are losing their children due to hunger.  Rebecca Korok Nyarek , who lost her young nephew, said: 

“I lost my nephew because of hunger. He was just 15 years old. There is no food at home. People are starving, and when you go out to the bushes in search of food, sometimes you will get something small to eat, even wild fruits are no longer available because of the rains and that’s how we sleep at night.’’  

Fourteen months into the conflict in Sudan, over 750,000 returnees and refugees have fled to South Sudan where theyfacing catastrophic conditions. Transit centers in Renk and Malakal, designed for 4,000 people, are now sheltering more people than five times their capacity.  

The situation is particularly dire for the refugees and returnees who are fleeing into South Sudan co-habiting with communities already facing extreme hunger while funding is very limited. South Sudan appeal is at 28%, seven months into the year.  

Malnutrition is increasing rapidly among children in the overcrowded temporary transit camps along the Sudan-South Sudan borders, exacerbating the crisis, while aid agencies are pulling out due to lack of funding.  

Aisha, a Sudanese refugee from Khartoum fled her home with her children after her husband was killed at his shop in the city:  “We have arrived here and although the sounds of the guns are no longer there, our children are hungry. Majority of the nights, we sleep on empty stomachs and now with the rains, our tents are sometimes washed away”, said Aisha. 

Oxfam urgently needs $15 million to scale up its operations and save lives of vulnerable children and women affected by the conflict, floods and diseases. 

“Failing to respond when people are starving is a moral failing that must not continue. Without urgent assistance now we risk many more lives. Humanitarian assistance delayed is aid denied, donors must act now” 

 

Note to editors 

  • IPC Figures- An estimated 79,000 people are in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) in April-July 2024.  
  • According to a recent World Bank report South Sudan now holds the highest real food inflation rate in the world at 164 per cent. Real food inflation is defined as food inflation minus overall inflation. 
  • Oxfam calculated the price of flour using the official exchange rates of the Central Bank of South Sudan 

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Oxfam is a worldwide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against injustice. Oxfam Aotearoa is a registered charity with the New Zealand Charities Register (registration CC24641). Donations are tax refundable.

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