The Future is Equal

Reports

An economy for the 99%

New estimates show that just eight men own the same wealth as the poorest half of the world.

As growth benefits the richest, the rest of society – especially the poorest – suffers. The very design of our economies and the principles of our economics have taken us to this extreme, unsustainable and unjust point.

Our economy must stop excessively rewarding those at the top and start working for all people. Accountable and visionary governments, businesses that work in the interests of workers and producers, a valued environment, women’s rights and a strong system of fair taxation, are central to this more human economy.

The sources and methodology behind the headline facts in this paper are explained in the separate methodology note.


After Paris – Climate finance in the Pacific Islands

Pacific island countries are working hard to address the escalating realities of climate change, including the impact on land, livelihoods, and on the food and water security of their most vulnerable communities. The need for accessible, predictable, adequate and appropriate financial support to meet the climate crisis is urgent and growing.

This report takes stock of the climate risks facing the Pacific region, and considers these risks in relation to commitments under the Paris Agreement, the complex nature of existing financial flows, current commitments from Australia and New Zealand, and the range of challenges that must be overcome to ensure support reaches those most in need.


Feeding Climate Change

The Paris Agreement marked a major breakthrough in support for climate action from many parts of the business community, including from key actors in the food and beverage sector. But despite significant progress, much work remains both to cut greenhouse gas emissions and to support the millions of people already hit by climate change.

This paper presents new data commissioned from the research consultancy CE Delft on the greenhouse gas emissions footprints and water scarcity footprints of major food commodities. The data demonstrate the vital role the food and beverage industry can and must play in turning the Paris Agreement into a springboard for the stronger climate action needed


What Will Become of Us?

About 60 million people across Southern Africa and the Horn, Central America, and the Pacific face worsening hunger and poverty due to droughts and crop failures in 2014–15 that have been exacerbated by the El Niño weather system in 2015–16. This number is likely to rise. The international response is working, but much more is needed and long-term solutions must be found.

This report gives a voice to some of the people Oxfam is working with in Ethiopia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, El Salvador and Papua New Guinea. They explain how they have lived through bad times before, but that this drought is much worse than previous ones.


Women and the 1%

The rise of extreme economic inequality is a serious blow to the fight against gender inequality and a threat to women’s rights. Women’s economic empowerment has the potential to transform many women’s lives for the better and support economic growth. However, unless the causes of extreme economic

inequality are urgently addressed, the majority of the benefits of women driven growth will accrue to those already at the top of the economy. The same forces that drive this economic inequality – political capture and market fundamentalism – are also driving greater gender inequality. By addressing these, through accountable and democratic institutions, decent work, progressive taxation and universal public services, we can win the twin struggles against gender and economic inequalities and make the world a fairer, better place.