CLIMATE JUSTICE
'The explosion was like a volcano or a bomb. The ground went up and fell on us like sand.'
CLIMATE JUSTICE
'The explosion was like a volcano or a bomb. The ground went up and fell on us like sand.'
‘We used to have food, cocoa and coconut. But when the landslide took our homes, we found ourselves in a sad situation. It also became difficult for us to catch fish, because earth from the landslide buried their habitats.’
- Roy Peter
Climate crisis is driving tropical cyclones, which in turn cause massive rainfall and flooding, leading to soil erosion. This was the cause of an enormous landslide in the village of Molpoe in Vanuatu.
The long-term effects of climate crisis are resulting in considerable loss and damage in disaster-prone countries and communities. Ironically, the people least responsible for climate change are being impacted the most.
Oxfam is calling for rich polluters to pay their fair share.
OUR WORK
Climate action led by those hit hardest
OUR WORK
Climate action led by those hit hardest
The climate crisis is not only about the environment, but fundamentally about inequality and injustice. At Oxfam we have been at the forefront of this battle, showing that inequality lies at the heart of climate injustice.
The climate crisis is not only about the environment, but fundamentally about inequality and injustice. At Oxfam we have been at the forefront of this battle, showing that inequality lies at the heart of climate injustice.
The richest countries, people, and biggest corporations bear the greatest responsibility for climate damage, while those living in extreme poverty, who have contributed the least, continue to pay the highest price.
Our role has evolved not only to highlighting those responsible for the crisis but also to exposing the false solutions of ‘green capitalism’. Green capitalism is not sustainable and is based on the same economic model of endless extraction of resources and endless economic growth. This will have ramifications on our environment but also will exacerbate inequality.
Among the many stories of localized support and triumph and alongside our partners, our most significant global achievement during 2023–24 was the launch of our report, Climate Equality: A Planet for the 99%. Released ahead of COP28, it illuminated the linked crises of climate change and inequality. It revealed the stark reality that the richest 1% produced as much carbon pollution in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds of the world’s population.
The richest 1% produced as much carbon pollution in 2019 as the poorest two-thirds of the world’s population
The report was widely covered by media outlets across the world, including by the UK’s The Guardian, which ran a week-long campaign, The Great Carbon Divide, based on our report. The Guardian saw over three million people interact with the campaign – making it one of the most-read pieces of content of 2023.
Parallel to our report, we ran the Make Rich Polluters Pay campaign, which garnered wide public support around the world. We also contributed to the establishment at COP28 of a fund to compensate poor countries for their losses due to climate change, marking a monumental achievement in our fight for climate justice.
We also contributed to the establishment at COP28 of a fund to compensate poor countries for their losses due to climate change, marking a monumental achievement in our fight for climate justice
The biggest challenges we faced were the multi-faceted crises affecting the world, from health to war, to food, to climate crisis. With rising geopolitical tensions and global inflation, mobilizing action for climate justice and equality has been a daunting task.
The biggest challenges we faced were the multi-faceted crises affecting the world, from health to war, to food, to climate crisis. With rising geopolitical tensions and global inflation, mobilizing action for climate justice and equality has been a daunting task.
But we learned the importance of linking these critical issues and addressing their root causes. And we learned that tackling inequality and building a more equal and sustainable world is the key to resolving climate breakdown and other crises.
We will continue to expose the false narratives of endless growth and consumption that are destroying our planet and its people – especially those who happen to be in the poorest two-thirds. We will continue to demand transformative solutions that can create a more equal and sustainable world.
We will continue to demand transformative solutions that can create a more equal and sustainable world
We worked with
364,360
people
This includes
201,000
women and girls
88,900
young people
1,852
people with disabilities
OUR WORK ACROSS THE WORLD
COLOMBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, US
HOLD THE LINE
Communities on the frontlines of oil and mining extraction, and particularly activists, face risks and threats for speaking up. In 2023 Oxfam produced a documentary, Hold the Line, which weaves into one narrative the stories of activists from Colombia, the US state of Louisiana, and South Africa.
Communities on the frontlines of oil and mining extraction, and particularly activists, face risks and threats for speaking up. In 2023 Oxfam produced a documentary, Hold the Line, which weaves into one narrative the stories of activists from Colombia, the US state of Louisiana, and South Africa.
We sought partnerships with frontline organizations speaking out for climate justice and with communications and journalism networks. The film was produced with partners Earthrights International, Creatives for Climate, and the Africa Human Rights Film Festival. Our aim was to amplify the voices of human rights and environmental defenders and to advocate for their protection with private companies and diplomatic missions.
After its premiere at the African Human Rights Film Festival in Cape Town in November 2023, Hold the Line was screened in venues across Colombia, the Netherlands and the United States. In Chile we screened Hold the Line at COP 3 Escazu side events, giving a voice to Amazonian women demanding that their efforts in defense of the environment be recognized, protected and promoted.
We are learning the value of collaborating with the creative industry and expanding our work beyond our usual civil society partnerships. We note interest in creative spaces to elevate climate and human rights messaging, and seek to give the creative industry the tools to share our stories and influence dominant, and often false narratives, around human and environmental rights defenders.
CAMBODIA, LAOS, VIETNAM, THAILAND
INNOVATING FOR RESILIENCE
In the lower Mekong region in Southeast Asia, an Oxfam-led initiative has been promoting sustainable practices such as aquaponics – in which the waste produced by farmed fish supplies the nutrients for plants grown in water – which in turn purify the water.
In the lower Mekong region in Southeast Asia, an Oxfam-led initiative has been promoting sustainable practices such as aquaponics – in which the waste produced by farmed fish supplies the nutrients for plants grown in water – which in turn purify the water.
The three-year project, launched in 2022, is driving change in the riverine communities – particularly for women, Indigenous people and those with disabilities. The initiative equips them to manage the impact of climate crisis by using innovative solutions that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge. The project has enabled the development of inclusive disaster management and climate adaptation plans, with active support from local authorities and better access to critical hydro-meteorological data.
Oxfam also worked to address gender and social inequalities while designing climate adaptation solutions. A pilot study in Kratié Province in north-east Cambodia enabled women and marginalized groups to increase production of food, while addressing social issues such as workloads and income.
SREY NO
Srey No has finished her final year of secondary school in Cambodia. She supports Oxfam and local partner Women Peace Makers as we help communities protect their fisheries along the Tonle Sap River, the largest freshwater body in Southeast Asia and part of the Mekong River system. Srey No has a personal connection, as her father was a fisherman in Tonle Sap.
Acting as a spokesperson on local matters, she attends meetings, facilitated by the Northeastern Rural Development, to advocate for community fisheries. Srey No also participated in raising awareness for her community about the law.
By supporting community members like Srey No to raise their voices, through events convened by the Oxfam Mekong Water Governance Program, Oxfam seeks policy change that will have positive impact on communities’ livelihoods and resilience and sustainability of natural resources. For example, during the Cambodia Fisheries Network meeting, Srey No talked to senior fishery officials to advocate for increasing government funding for community fisheries in Cambodia. This resulted in 146 community fisheries receiving 4 million riels (c1,000 US dollars) each, to protect their resources in 2023.
'I want to participate,' says Srey No, '…to understand all the issues related to fishery. I want to get involved to get new experiences, to explore new places. I have increased my knowledge and gained confidence.'
SREY LAKH MECH
'With aquaponics, I don’t need to use fertilizers. I used to carry water on my shoulders to irrigate the vegetables, and I had to plough and weed by hand; it was really tiring.'
Sare, farmer and participant
'With aquaponics, I don’t need to use fertilizers. I used to carry water on my shoulders to irrigate the vegetables, and I had to plough and weed by hand; it was really tiring.'
Sare, farmer and participant
Sokhaeun, a participant, now harvests vegetables year-round. She sells her produce within the community, providing her family with a healthy diet. Another farmer, Sare, explains, ‘With aquaponics, I don’t need to use fertilizers. I used to carry water on my shoulders to irrigate the vegetables, and I had to plough and weed by hand; it was really tiring.’
By incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable practices into resource management, the project promoted inclusive decision-making. And local authorities now align community-driven initiatives with formal planning processes, ensuring lasting support and resilience.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Northeastern Rural Development
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Northeastern Rural Development (NRD) has been partnering with Oxfam since 2013. Together we amplify voices of women, young people and minority groups who live along the Mekong River in Kratié province.
‘Oxfam and NRD have one common goal: to amplify the voices of the community, especially the most vulnerable groups. I am proud of the inclusion project that gives women the confidence to stand for their community and the natural resources that they depend on. Hundreds of women now raise their concerns to the government and are brave enough to ask about the impact of the new infrastructure.’
Sovann Sam
Executive Director
NRD, in collaboration with the River Coalition in Cambodia, has been actively involved in raising awareness and advocating against mainstream dams, due to their potential impact on the Mekong River, particularly on fisheries. NRD continues to empower fisheries and downstream communities by providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and share their experiences.
Additionally, NRD and Oxfam are committed to building resilience among farmers in Sambo District. They offer training on climate-smart agriculture techniques, such as aquaponics, and work with local authorities on disaster risk reduction and preparedness initiatives.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Northeastern Rural Development
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SOVANN SAM |
Northeastern Rural Development (NRD) has been partnering with Oxfam since 2013. Together we amplify voices of women, young people and minority groups who live along the Mekong River in Kratié province.
‘Oxfam and NRD have one common goal: to amplify the voices of the community, especially the most vulnerable groups. I am proud of the inclusion project that gives women the confidence to stand for their community and the natural resources that they depend on. Hundreds of women now raise their concerns to the government and are brave enough to ask about the impact of the new infrastructure.’
Sovann Sam
Executive Director
NRD, in collaboration with the River Coalition in Cambodia, has been actively involved in raising awareness and advocating against mainstream dams, due to their potential impact on the Mekong River, particularly on fisheries. NRD continues to empower fisheries and downstream communities by providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and share their experiences.
Additionally, NRD and Oxfam are committed to building resilience among farmers in Sambo District. They offer training on climate-smart agriculture techniques, such as aquaponics, and work with local authorities on disaster risk reduction and preparedness initiatives.
EL SALVADOR
YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS SPEAK OUT
El Salvador lacks a legal framework for protecting young environmental defenders. Repressive policies have increased, resulting in criminalization of activists and resistance to ratifying the Escazú Agreement.
El Salvador lacks a legal framework for protecting young environmental defenders. Repressive policies have increased, resulting in criminalization of activists and resistance to ratifying the Escazú Agreement.
Starting in 2022, Oxfam has been running a project with partners to involve young people in rural areas in defending the environment in El Salvador. The project aims to train 708 Indigenous women and young people in environmental advocacy.
Using practices such as environmental journalism, it strengthens knowledge of rights and legal tools, so that women and young people can better advocate on issues such as the right to land, water and food.
So far, the project has given 529 participants and collectives a sense of recognition as environmental defenders in national advocacy spaces.
Karen Ascensio, a young activist of a rural community, was an attendee in the EU-NGO Forum on Human Rights 2023, in Brussels. Attended by over 200 people internationally, the forum culminated in a series of action-oriented recommendations for the EU, Member States, civil society and young defenders. These recommendations are now the basis for the local advocacy work promoted by Karen and her collective.
Through the project we have learned about innovative methodologies to engage with young people, and how to move from traditional campaigns to initiatives that combine creativity and action. For example, the Youth Environmental Defenders Network started its own TikTok Channel to engage with other young people. We learned also the importance of constantly reviewing our action plans and coordinating with different actors to build a safe ecosystem for young activists.
COP28
MAKE RICH POLLUTERS PAY!
In July 2023 Oxfam worked with leading climate activists to launch the global campaign Make Rich Polluters Pay. This aimed to hold the biggest polluters – from the richest people and richest countries to the largest corporations – accountable for accelerating the climate crisis.
In July 2023 Oxfam worked with leading climate activists to launch the global campaign Make Rich Polluters Pay. This aimed to hold the biggest polluters – from the richest people and richest countries to the largest corporations – accountable for accelerating the climate crisis.
The campaign was co-created and led by four leading young climate activists from Fiji, the Philippines, Peru and Uganda. Their leadership and activism were instrumental in driving the campaign forward and to reaching out to people across the world.
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In September 2023 we joined over 75,000 climate activists on the streets of New York ahead of the World Leaders’ meeting at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and the Climate Ambition Summit. Oxfam also supported climate mobilization across Europe. Two of our activists joined the Oxfam team at UNGA and participated in climate mobilization and events at the UN.
Our campaign continued to COP28 in December 2023 and went worldwide in September 2024. While the outcome of COP28 was grossly inadequate overall, with world leaders failing to agree on a fast, funded phase-out of fossil fuels, we succeeded in establishing a Loss and Damage fund and an international taskforce on climate taxation. We also handed over a global petition, a milestone in our campaign.
We aligned the campaign with our Climate Equality report in November 2023, which received nearly 5,000 media hits (coverage by newspapers, radio, etc) and attention on social media. Between 1 July and 13 December 2023, we gained 2,740 mentions for #MakeRichPollutersPay and 16,700 responses on social media.
MARINEL UBALDO
Marinel Ubaldo's journey into climate activism began after experiencing first-hand the effects of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Marinel organized the first climate strike in her country. She advocates for a ban on single-use plastics, the reduction of carbon emissions and investments in renewable energy. In 2023 Marinel collaborated with other climate activists and Oxfam in the run up to COP28.
She says, 'I simply cannot accept that our people in the Philippines are dying because of a phenomenon – the climate crisis – that we haven’t even caused. For me – that’s my 'why' – to create an environment where future generations can grow and live their lives, and not just survive typhoons or other disasters. I have experienced that, and I wouldn’t want my children to go through all of that too.
'...For me, I’m always thinking about how my community is struggling whenever there is disaster, because there are not enough resources to really build strong houses that can withstand extreme weather. We are in the front line of every other disaster. We’re bearing the brunt of the climate crisis that these polluters have caused, and they’re not even helping us be able to survive those disasters.'
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