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The Future is Equal

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Learning from experience: Sustainable economic development in the Pacific

This original research from Oxfam New Zealand aims to learn about economic development in the Pacific from some of the organisations that are doing it successfully. The Pacific has been buffeted by natural disasters, economic volatility, occasional social turmoil and rising numbers of young men and women with unmet expectations. To help overcome these hardships and build a better future for growers, craftspeople and their families, development must be sustainable, generate broad-based benefits, appropriate to the local culture, and scalable to make a significant contribution to the region’s needs. There are important lessons to be drawn from some of the most exciting initiatives in the Pacific.

 

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The $100 billion questions

The World Bank last year estimated that US$75-100 billion per year is needed for poor countries to adapt to climate change, if global warming levels remain at 2 degrees Celsius. The non-binding pledges made at Copenhagen last year by rich countries will see levels move towards a staggering 4 degrees Celsius. The US$100 billion a year pledged by rich nations at Copenhagen is nowhere near enough the amount needed to adequately help vulnerable nations deal with the ramifications of climate change.

In this report, published to coincide with the re-opening of climate negotiations in Bonn, Oxfam argues that climate finance needs to be doubled to at least US$200 billion per year by 2020. The report shows how rich countries can raise hundreds of billions of dollars in public finance each year, using methods that won’t break the bank. Increasing the amount of climate financing is a critical investment between rich and poor countries in creating a common future. Reducing the impacts of climate change runs deeper than rich countries simply cutting down on their emissions – how rich countries help developing countries curb their emissions is equally as important. More money is needed to foster cleaner development in developing countries.

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The Global Economic Crisis and Developing Countries

Behind the official statistics, farmers, manufacturing workers, migrant workers, waste-pickers, and women working unpaid in the home all over the world are asking the same question: ‘What hit us in 2009?’. Oxfam’s research on the global economic crisis in 12 countries, involving some 2,500 individuals, is combined in this report with the findings of studies by universities, think tanks, and international organizations. Oxfam’s report reveals the depth and complexity of the impacts of the global economic crisis, and the vulnerabilities and resilience of poor people and countries worldwide. The crisis has highlighted social protection as a development issue, and the importance of managing risk and volatility at all levels. This crisis will not be the last, but if one of its lessons is that reducing vulnerability and building resilience are the central tasks of development, then future crises may bring less suffering in their wake.

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Ethiopia: Rain does not come on time anymore

Small scale farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia are set to be the most negatively impacted by climate change, facing increased poverty, water scarcity, and food insecurity. The news does not bode well for a country where eighty-five percent of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The rain fed agricultural sector is particularly vulnerable to the growing inconsistencies in weather and when there is a lack of pasture or water, pastoralists face an enormous loss of livestock.

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Tackling Poverty Through Trade: How New Zealanders buying Fairtrade benefits producers in developing

While the market for Fairtrade in New Zealand is still relatively small it has experienced very healthy and sustained growth since its beginnings in 2004. Initially nine companies were involved in selling Fairtrade coffee and tea. Retail sales reached NZ$261,050 in 2004 and in 2008 the New Zealand Fairtrade market growth in was 69 per cent. By 2009, the number of New Zealand companies licensed to sell Fairtrade products increased to 51 and their combined retail sales topped NZ$17.5 million. This growth in Fairtrade retail sales is great news for small-scale farmers and workers in developing countries. Increased Fairtrade sales means that more trade is taking place under Fairtrade conditions and that more farmers and workers are receiving the economic, social and environmental benefits of Fairtrade. This report has been produced by Fairtrade Labelling Australia & New Zealand (FLANZ) and Oxfam New Zealand. Analysis has covered the period of New Zealand Fairtrade purchases and sales from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2009.

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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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