Climate justice
We seek: Climate justice
We seek a world with an economy that preserves our planet, not destroys it. A world where climate finance reaches those most affected by the climate crisis so they can build resilience against further climate and disaster risk.
A sustainable future
The global climate crisis affects us all, but not equally. The harsh reality is that it hits hardest those who are least responsible for causing it. Climate change is the biggest threat to our vision of a fair and sustainable world — one without poverty.
At Oxfam Australia, we recognise the root causes of the climate crisis, and we call for urgent global action in this critical decade. Because to halt climate change, we must have justice for those most affected by the climate crisis.
people were supported in our work to tackle the climate crisis and help those most affected.
Real lives: Meet Koruna in Bangladesh
“As I cultivate honey, I learnt that my business is a green business. I learnt that we could store the honey through processing as we collect honey throughout the year.”
Koruna, one of Bangladesh’s most prominent beekeepers, is making waves in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest.
“I am the only female honey farmer in the whole of Bangladesh,” Koruna said. “These are not my words, but the Ministry of Commerce made a survey and published it in a book, that I am a woman honey farmer. I feel very proud that I came from a remote place and was recognised as the only proud female honey farmer in Bangladesh.”
The Sundarbans region, recognised for its honey production, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Koruna’s resilience to these climate impacts was strengthened by her participation in a green-business training program run by the Community Development Centre (CODEC), one of Oxfam’s local partner organisations.
The training, which is part of Oxfam’s BID4CJ project, focuses on developing business models that benefit the community, the environment and enterprises. It equipped Koruna with knowledge on organic vegetable cultivation and the use of vermicompost, and recognised her honey production as a green business.
“I learnt how to cultivate vegetables organically,” Koruna said. “As I cultivate honey, I learnt that my business is a green business. I learnt that we could store the honey through processing as we collect honey throughout the year.”
Honey farming is seasonal, requiring investment and sustainability. “I need to invest six months and earn in another six months,” Koruna said.
“The six months' business is dependent on the source of flowers. If the flower source is good then the honey will be good, too.”
Oxfam’s collaboration with CODEC aims to restore ecosystems that provide people with livelihoods and protect the climate. This enhances the community’s preparedness and resilience to climate change impacts.
Koruna’s story highlights how climate resilience can be integrated into traditional practices like honey farming, creating a sustainable, green business that benefits the community and the environment.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Oxfam’s Blue Economy and Inclusive Development for Climate Justice (BID4CJ) project in Bangladesh is supporting coastal communities to have an equal share in the benefits of a healthy ecosystem and a sustainable economy. The BID4CJ project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
OUR LOCAL PARTNERS
Breaking the Silence (BTS), Community Development Centre (CODEC).
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2023–2024
The project trained 905 people on feminist climate justice movement building, and raised their awareness about gender equality and rights regarding natural resources. Of the people who took part in the training, 87 have become members of community-based organisations or networks building a feminist climate movement and representing their communities on climate issues to the government and the private sector.
The project successfully negotiated with the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority, a division of the Government of Bangladesh, to allocate 100 hectares of government land for mangrove plantation. Planting is underway and will help protect this fragile coastline against climate change-related hazards like storm surges during flooding and cyclones.