Oxfam today welcomed three positive statements on climate change and energy policies by parliamentarians and policy makers in the UK, EU and UN. Oxfam applauded those responsible for recognising the need to keep focused on the fight against climate change despite global economic turmoil.

 

In the UK the government-mandated Committee on Climate Change called for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 80% by 2050, including aviation and shipping and for the ‘decarbonisation of power’.

 

Phil Bloomer, Oxfam’s Director of Campaigns and Policy, said: “This report supports what we have been saying for some time. The Government must tackle climate change with the same urgency it is showing in confronting the global financial crisis.

 

“Current economic problems cannot be used as an excuse for inaction. Without action now, the devastating impacts of climate change will dwarf today’s economic difficulties, especially for poor people in developing countries, who are being hit first and hardest.”

 

Also today, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation recommended an urgent review of biofuel policies to protect poor farmers, promote world food security and ensure biofuels contribute to development.

 

Phil Bloomer said: “The tragedy of biofuel production is that while it has the potential to lift people in rural areas out of poverty, it has actually made life considerably harder for millions of poor people.

 

“Reckless targets for expanding production have resulted in a ‘scramble to supply’ which has forced up food prices, left millions more at risk of hunger and encouraged companies to trample all over the rights of the poor.”

 

Finally, the European Parliament voted that half of all money gained from the sale of carbon allowances be spent on tackling climate change in developing countries. Oxfam welcomed this move, but expressed disappointment that the EU failed to increase the target for unilateral emissions cuts by Member States.

 

Phil Bloomer said: “We are delighted that the European Parliament is showing leadership in helping the developing world to adapt to climate change. It is now up to Member States to show the same commitment to safeguard the futures of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

 

In a second key vote this afternoon, the EU’s environment committee voted to limit the emissions of new power plants built in the EU to 500 grams of CO2 per kilowatt hour. This would rule out E.ON’s plans to build a new coal plant at Kingsnorth.

 

Phil Bloomer said: “This surprise vote is a great step forward for poor people already feeling the devastating impacts of climate change. We call on Ed Milliband to take this as another nail in the coffin for the proposed dirty coal plant at Kingsnorth.”

 

Earlier this week, Oxfam published a report on leaders and laggards in UK climate policy, Forecast for Tomorrow. The report criticised Shell and E.ON for proposed projects that would increase emissions, while recognising the leadership and foresight of companies and departments like BT, National Grid, DEFRA and M&S.

 

/ Ends

 

Notes to editors: Oxfam spokespeople will also be available to respond to the Carbon Disclosure Project’s report on company emissions.

 

For further information: Lucy Brinicombe, 01865 472192 / 07786 110054 / lbrinicombe@oxfam.org.uk or Jon Slater, 01865 472249 / jslater@oxfam.org.uk.

                       

Oxfam report: www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/climate_change/forecast_tomorrow.html

FAO report: http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2008/1000928/index.html

More from the Oxfam Press Office at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/news