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431. Bio-fuelling Poverty: Why the EU renewable-fuel target may be disastrous for poor people

Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
In January of this year, the European Commission published its Renewable Energy Roadmap, proposing a mandatory target that biofuels must provide ten per cent of member states' transport fuels by 2020. This target is creating a scramble to supply in the South, posing a serious threat to vulnerable people at risk from land-grabbing, exploitation, and deteriorating food security. It is unacceptable that poor people in developing countries bear the costs of emissions reductions in the EU. To avoid this, the Commission must include social standards in its sustainability framework, and develop mechanisms by which the ten per cent target can be revised if it is found to be contributing to the destruction of vulnerable people's livelihoods.
Topic:
Energy Policy and Environment
Political Geography:
Europe

432. Up in smoke? Asia and the Pacific: The threat from climate change to human development and the environment

Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
The human drama of climate change will largely be played out in Asia, where over 60 per cent of the world's population, around four billion people, live. Over half of those live near the coast, making them directly vulnerable to sea-level rise. Disruption to the region's water cycle caused by climate change also threatens the security and productivity of the food systems upon which they depend. In acknowledgement, both of the key meetings in 2007 and 2008 to secure a global climate agreement will be in Asia.
Topic:
Climate Change and Environment
Political Geography:
Asia

433. Oxfam submission to the House of Commons International Development Committee inquiry 'Development Assistance in Insecure Environments: Afghanistan'

Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
This paper outlines urgent action necessary to address immediate challenges in Afghanistan and to avert humanitarian disaster. It does not see k to address all issues of concern but focuses on essential policy change in development and human itarian spheres.
Topic:
Agriculture, Development, and Humanitarian Aid
Political Geography:
Afghanistan and Asia

434. Breaking the impasse: ending the humanitarian stranglehold on Palestine

Author:
Oxfam Novib
Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
The upcoming Israeli-Palestinian meeting in Annapolis, Maryland provides an opportunity to address the humanitarian crisis, which is an essential step for successful negotiations leading to the end of the occupation of Palestine, and for delivering a just settlement and lasting peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

435. Climate Alarm: Disasters increase as climate change bites

Author:
John Magrath
Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Climatic disasters are on the increase as the Earth warms up – in line with scientific observations and computer simulations that model future climate. 2007 has been a year of climatic crises, especially floods, often of an unprecedented nature. They included Africa's worst floods in three decades, unprecedented flooding in Mexico, massive floods in South Asia and heat waves and forest fires in Europe, Australia, and California. By mid November the United Nations had launched 15 'flash appeals', the greatest ever number in one year. All but one were in response to climatic disasters.
Topic:
Climate Change, Development, and Humanitarian Aid
Political Geography:
Africa, Europe, California, and Australia

436. Investing for life: Meeting poor people's needs for access to medicines through responsible business practices

Author:
Helena Viñes Fiestas
Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Access to medicines is fundamental for people to achieve their right to health. While governments have the primary responsibility for ensuring access to health care for all their citizens, the role of the pharmaceutical industry in providing a vital element – medicines – carries its own responsibilities.
Topic:
Development, Health, and Poverty

437. Financing adaptation: Why the UN's Bali Climate Conference must mandate the search for new funds

Author:
Charlotte L. Sterrett
Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Oxfam estimates that adapting to climate change in developing countries is likely to cost at least $50bn each year, and far more if global greenhouse-gas emissions are not cut fast enough. Yet international funding efforts to date have been woeful. In the year that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued its direst warnings to date of the impacts of climate change on vulnerable developing countries, the rich and high-polluting countries increased their contribution to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) for urgent adaptation needs by a mere $43m. This brings the total pledged to $163m – less than half of what the UK is investing in cooling the London Underground. Worse, only $67m has actually been delivered to the Fund – that's less than what people in the USA spend on suntan lotion in one month.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, and United Nations
Political Geography:
United Kingdom

438. Global School Report 2008: No Excuses!

Publication Date:
12-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
The Global Campaign for Education believes that, halfway to the Education For All deadline of 2015, governments are failing their children and jeopardising the lives and prospects of future generations. Their broken promises are cast into sharp relief by this, the first global version of the GCE 'School Report'. Bringing together data from diverse sources it proves what can be done with political will, but how far away the world is from showing the courage of its convictions across the entire EFA agenda, leaving no child or adult behind.
Topic:
Education and International Cooperation

439. Oxfam Analysis of the Bali Conference Outcomes

Publication Date:
12-2007
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
There is a basis for moving forward on negotiations to achieve emissions cuts… The 'Bali roadmap' process has been launched, aiming for a long term agreement on emissions cuts, including commitments by the US Future actions by developing countries to reduce emissions are to be supported by scaling up finance, technology and capacity-building from rich nations Negotiations on further emissions cuts beyond 2012 have been launched under the Kyoto Protocol, for completion by end 2009, with a guideline for reductions of 25-40% by 2020 (from a 1990 base) Australia is now included in the Kyoto Protocol, leaving the US as the only major developed country outside these negotiations.
Topic:
Climate Change, Environment, and United Nations
Political Geography:
United States and Australia

440. Oxfam Publishing: Girls' Education in South Asia

Author:
Nicola Swainson
Publication Date:
02-2006
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Oxfam Publishing
Abstract:
Because of deep-rooted gender inequalities, and because of the large population of South Asia, the region has the highest number of out-of-school girls in the world. This paper outlines some of the issues confronting practitioners, policy makers, and researchers in girls' education in South Asia, and explores what they can do to move towards high-quality and gender-equitable education for all.
Topic:
Development, Education, and Gender Issues
Political Geography:
South Asia