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H&M kids collection full of iconic species to raise funds for WWF

2016-09-29

H&M and WWF have joined forces to create a children’s collection that aims to inspire people all over the world to care for our planet.

All the garments are certified organic cotton, following strict environmental and social criteria. Designs are recognizable by their realistic prints of iconic species at risk. The collection will be available in H&M stores worldwide and online starting 29th of September. 10% of the sales price of the collection will support WWF’s work in conserving endangered species.

The Kids collection features animal prints of species such as the tiger, panda, snow leopard, polar bear and the finless porpoise, that are facing many threats including habitat loss, water pollution and the impact of climate change. The collection mainly consists of comfortable and easy to wear organic cotton-based items such as long sleeve sweaters, T-shirts, dresses, tights, trousers and pyjamas for babies and kids between 1,5 and 14 years old.

The aim of the collection is to inspire H&M’s customers to care for the planet as well as to highlight our transformational partnership, which focuses on water stewardship and climate action, as well as strategic dialogue related to both H&M’s and the fashion industry’s broader sustainability challenges.

Get your collection piece from H&M while stocks last.

Giant success for giant pandas

2016-09-05

Conservation successes can take decades to achieve, but when things go right it’s worth the wait.

We’ve received some fantastic news over the weekend. The giant panda is no longer listed as endangered! Thanks to amazing conservation efforts and the commitment of the Chinese government, this iconic species has dropped down a level on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, from ‘Endangered’ to ‘Vulnerable’ following a remarkable growth of their population. There are now around 1,860 giant pandas in the wild - nearly 17% more than in 2003.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which keeps track of threatened species, announced the positive change to the giant panda’s official status at its party conference on 4th September.

A step further from extinction

“For over fifty years, the giant panda has been the globe’s most beloved conservation icon as well as the symbol of WWF. Knowing that the panda is now a step further from extinction is an exciting moment for everyone committed to conserving the world’s wildlife and their habitats,” said Marco Lambertini, WWF Director General.

But, while the panda’s status has improved, other species are under increasing threat. The eastern gorilla is now listed as critically endangered, just one step away from extinction, due primarily to poaching.

A symbol of hope

The much loved panda logo was designed by WWF’s founding chairman, Sir Peter Scott in 1961. Twenty years later, we became the first international organisation to work in China.

Since then we’ve been working with the government on initiatives to save giant pandas and their habitat, including helping to establish an integrated network of giant panda reserves and wildlife corridors to connect isolated panda populations. We’re also working with local communities to develop sustainable livelihoods and minimise their impact on the forests.

These efforts have seen the number of panda reserves jump to 67, which now protect nearly two-thirds of all wild pandas. They have also helped to safeguard large swathes of mountainous bamboo forests, which shelter countless other species .

After decades of work, it is clear that only a holistic approach will be able to secure the long term survival of China’s giant pandas and their unique habitat.

Working together to protect nature

2016-06-30

It has now been a week since the UK voted to leave the European Union, and much remains uncertain. We would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our priorities for the environment at this time.

Following the referendum, we want the UK to set new global standards for protecting nature. As the UK negotiates a new relationship with Europe and sets its priorities for the years ahead, we will continue campaigning for strong action to keep our environment safe and healthy.

Thanks to our climate change legislation, the UK is still well-placed to lead the world in fighting climate change. In a new blog our head of Energy and Climate Change, Emma Pinchbeck, sets out why the UK has much to gain by meeting ambitious emissions targets and accelerating the growth of renewables.

It’s vital that our government leaders build on the laws - domestic, European and International - that have helped get our seas and rivers into better health and that have protected rare species. The Westminster government has promised to publish 25-year plans for Food and Farming and for Nature, and WWF will be holding Ministers to these pledges. We’ll be telling them, and ministers in Wales and Scotland, that their plans should contain strong proposals for looking after the countryside, protecting fragile habitats and leading in protecting the environment overseas.

Likewise, we want to see ambitious policies for conserving marine habitats and fisheries, building on the Marine Conservation Zones we have all around our coastline. These must recognise that fish stocks do not respect borders, and effective management will rely on international co-operation.

Whoever leads the nations of the UK through the coming months and years, WWF will be making the case for a greener economy and better stewardship of our wildlife and wild places, at home and abroad.

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Andy Murray and Kevin Spacey team up to support global tiger campaign

2016-06-28

British tennis ace and WWF global ambassador, Andy Murray, has teamed up with actor and tennis fan, Kevin Spacey, to inspire the nation to get behind an ambitious plan to double the number of tigers in the wild by the year 2022.

The duo came together on the world famous Centre Court to deliver a powerful message in a new WWF video. The short film highlights that there are currently fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the wild - but the good news is that we can help this amazing species by working together.

WWF global ambassador Andy Murray said: “This year could be the turning point for tigers. It may be the best chance we have to protect these amazing animals. It’s definitely a challenge worth taking on and I believe we must do all we can to help double wild tiger numbers.”

Adding to Andy’s comment, Kevin Spacey said: “It’s shocking to think that there are fewer than 4,000 tigers left in the wild. That’s less than a third of the number of seats at Centre Court. But whilst their situation is precarious, I have learnt from Andy that there is hope. We really can help tiger numbers recover. It’s a challenge that I’m proud to be part of drawing attention to.”

Launched to coincide with Andy’s first match at the world’s oldest tennis tournament, WWF is encouraging people to support Andy’s passion for wildlife as the nation goes wild for him at Wimbledon this summer. Fans of Andy and Kevin can show their support and find out more by following the #DoubleTigers campaign online.

You can help double the number of tigers in the wild. Simply text TIGER to 70123 to donate £5.

Full T&Cs at wwf.org.uk/textterms

WWF responds to EU referendum result

2016-06-24

On the 23rd June, the British People decided their future. WWF-UK campaigned for the environment to be integral to the debate and asked voters to consider the implications their choice would have for nature.

WWF-UK is concerned about the risks and uncertainties for the environment of the UK moving outside the EU. There will now be many years of transition, so we need to do all we can to ensure that regulations and actions are in place for the environment, to promote a sustainable future including addressing climate change. These need to be as good or even better than those currently in force within the EU.

The UK remains signed up to the Sustainable Development Goals and to the Paris climate agreement, and we have opportunities through the Government’s own proposed plans for nature and for food and farming to make the case for the protection and improvement of our environment.

Responding to the result of the referendum on EU membership, WWF-UK CEO David Nussbaum said:

“Environmental challenges don’t stop at borders and many require international solutions. Leaving the European Union brings risks and uncertainties for our wildlife and wild places, but with the right policies the UK could continue to be a global force for the protection of nature. As an immediate step we should retain the environmental protections that have delivered cleaner air and beaches, helped preserve habitats and cut carbon emissions – and build on them to reverse the environmental decline we are experiencing.

“Environmental considerations are integral to the long-term needs of our economy and society. The Government’s proposed 25 year plans for Food and Farming and for Nature will now be measures of how seriously Ministers are about taking care of our countryside. Integrating the needs of farmers and consumers with wider environmental priorities would reassure those who worry that nature will be low on the Government’s priority list.”

WWF will continue to work with partners in Europe and around the world to protect the air we breathe, the beaches we visit, the wildlife we cherish and the countryside we love. And we’ll keep campaigning for global solutions to climate change. Our vision is for a world with a future where people and nature thrive

No rhinos poached in Nepal for past two years

2016-05-02

While Africa struggles to stem record-breaking rhino poaching, Nepal today marked two years since its last rhino was poached on May 2nd 2014 – as well as its 4th year of zero poaching of rhinos since 2011.

“This exceptional success is based on a combination of high-level political will, and the active involvement of the park authorities, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, conservation partners and local communities,” said Krishna P. Acharya, Chief-Planning Division and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation.

This is the first time that Nepal has achieved two consecutive years of zero poaching, which has helped to increase its population of greater one-horned rhinos to 645, the highest recorded number in the country so far.

“It is now 730 days since a poacher last killed a rhino in Nepal: a truly remarkable achievement by the government,” said Anil Manandhar, Country Representative of WWF Nepal, which supports the government’s rhino conservation activities. “Nepal has demonstrated real conservation leadership and an effective anti-poaching path that other countries can follow.”

Nepal’s zero poaching success is rooted in a coordinated national response, which is driven from the centre and implemented at grassroots level, including enhanced protection efforts within national parks and surrounding buffer zones, involving the use of new approaches, such as the highly effective Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) patrolling.

“We are already looking to sustain this success by launching ‘Mission 2nd May 2017’ – the date when we hope to announce three consecutive years of zero poaching,” said Fanindra Raj Kharel, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. “In our effort to build effective conservation standards, zero poaching is a norm that pushes us to ensure Nepal’s iconic species are fully protected.”

Nepal has also been a driving force behind the Zero Poaching framework, which outlines the six key pillars (assessment, capacity, community, cooperation, prosecution, technology) that countries need to address. Governments and protected area authorities can now access the Zero Poaching toolkit, which contains the best available anti-poaching tools and resources.

But Nepal has also scaled up its work beyond anti-poaching to boost its rhino population.

“The zero poaching success has allowed Nepal to launch other projects to conserve its rhinos, including the recent translocation of five rhinos from Chitwan National Park to Bardia National Park,” said Manandhar. “Nepal has shown that countries can stop poaching and we are confident that its integrated conservation machinery will ensure that the rhino population continues to grow.”

Nepal achieved its first 365 days of zero poaching for rhinos in 2011. Three times since then it has not lost a single rhino to poachers over the course of 365 days. During one of those periods, Nepal did not lose any tigers or elephants to poachers either.

Global wild tiger numbers rise for the first time

2016-04-11

For the first time in conservation history, the terrible decline in global tiger numbers has been reversed, and there are now close to 3,900 tigers in the wild.

By the year 2010 tiger numbers had been plummeting for a century. It's thought that there were once around 100,000 wild tigers, but that had dropped to as few as 3,200 – a drastic decline of over 95%.

That's why Tx2 was born: a 12 year plan to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, the next Chinese Year of the Tiger.

In 2016 we're at the halfway point, and this news that tiger numbers have begun to rise is a signal that conservation efforts are working.

The success so far has come from only a few of the countries with wild tiger populations. India, Nepal, Bhutan and Russia have all stepped up their tiger conservation efforts since 2010, and have all seen an increase in tiger numbers.

Other tiger range countries aren't faring so well, especially in south-east Asia, where poaching is at unprecedented levels. If tiger conservation becomes a priority across Asia, we'll be well on our way to Tx2.

Half of natural World Heritage sites are at risk

2016-04-06

Nearly half of all natural World Heritage sites are threatened by harmful industrial activities. Millions of people directly rely on these places for their food, jobs, freshwater and well-being. Shockingly, 114 natural World Heritage sites are facing threats like mining, oil and gas drilling, and construction of large-scale infrastructure.

191 UN countries have promised to safeguard World Heritage sites for present and future generations. Too often, though, governments are allowing harmful industrial activities to put these places at risk in pursuit of short-term gains, rather than prioritizing long-term sustainable development. World Heritage sites can drive long-term sustainable development, but they need protection. Once they’re gone they’re gone forever.

Natural World Heritage sites are some of the planet’s most extraordinary places. We all have a role in protecting the outstanding universal value that they provide for all humanity.

We know it’s possible to protect World Heritage sites. You’ve already helped us remove major threats to Virunga National Park and the Great Barrier Reef. With your support, we can tackle the problems that are putting precious places at risk..

Join the campaign to protect our #SharedHeritage.

WWF’s Position in the Referendum on the UK's Membership of the European Union

2016-03-08

WWF believes our economic and social prosperity depends on there being a healthy environment – clean air and water, lush forests and woodlands, productive seas, and thriving wildlife for all to enjoy. These natural resources provide a range of services such as flood prevention, food, fuel, materials and recreation without which it would not be possible to enjoy the lifestyles we do today.

Therefore as we debate the UK’s future relationship with the EU, it is important that we consider how any change in our relationship would impact on the environment, and on the need to address the decline in our natural resources.

That’s why WWF, RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts have commissioned research from the Institute for European Environmental Policy to set out the facts on what the EU has meant for the environment.

The research suggests that not everything that comes from Europe has been good for the natural world: agriculture and fisheries policies have been flawed and in some instances counter-productive.

However, on balance, Britain’s membership of the EU has delivered benefits for our environment – such as reduced air and water pollution, reduced carbon emissions, increased recycling, clean beaches and protected areas for rare species and habitats - that would be hard to replicate in the event of the UK leaving. The report also goes on to highlight the risks and uncertainty associated with likely exit scenarios.

WWF is not campaigning on either side of the debate.   There are a great number of issues that voters will consider and it is not our job to tell people how to vote in the referendum. However we want to ensure that the environment features prominently in the pre-referendum debate, and recommend that voters ask both camps - IN and OUT - how they would set about ensuring natural resources are managed in the most sustainable way.

Whatever the UK’s future relationship with the EU it is vital that it does not come at the expense of the environment and the economic and social wellbeing it provides.

Chancellor must address billion-pound costs of neglecting the environment.

2016-02-25

The Budget must work harder to tackle the growing risks from environmental degradation, natural resource scarcity and climate change if the UK is to enjoy resilient economic growth in the future, WWF-UK claims today. Unless we act soon, the consequences for the nation’s prosperity are likely to be costly in the long-term.

In its new 2016 report ‘A Greener Budget: choices for a prosperous future’, WWF-UK sets out a suite of practical policy recommendations that the Treasury could implement through the 2016 Budget to help tackle these risks and put the UK on a more sustainable and resilient economic footing.

WWF-UK is calling on the Chancellor to put a ‘natural capital stress test’, which highlights the potential risks that the economy faces from environmental damage, at the heart of the Budget.

The report outlines how the Treasury could use such a stress test to assess, for example, the potential future consequences for business productivity if soil erosion is allowed to continue at current rates or if water stress were to worsen - and to help identify the most appropriate course of action.

Evidence shows that economic costs of neglecting our natural assets can no longer be ignored:

Mismanagement of river catchments is a major contributing factor to flooding, which is estimated to have cost the UK at least £5 billion this winter alone
The economic value of the eﬀect of small particulate (PM2.5) air pollution on mortality in the UK was around £16 billion in 2008 alone, equivalent to 29,000 premature deaths
£1.4 billion in additional annual UK revenues could be expected if UK ﬁsh stocks recovered to the average levels seen before the 1970s.

Drawing on the latest evidence, the report shows how tackling these issues through decisive policy action would be a win-win for the environment and the economy - insulating the economy and businesses from growing risks, cutting public sector costs, generating hundreds of thousands of new jobs, creating new market opportunities and improving UK competitiveness.

WWF also proposes that a business-focussed Natural Capital Task Force is needed to identify how the private sector can lead better management of natural resources, incentivising innovation and investment in a business-friendly way. It also calls on the Treasury to make disclosure of environmental risks a legal requirement for financial institutions, enabling investors to better understand their risk exposure and to evaluate which investment options deliver the most sustainable returns.

Trevor Hutchings, Director of Advocacy at WWF-UK, said:

“George Osborne recently spoke of an economic ‘cocktail of threats’ related to short-term falls in commodity prices and stock markets - and yet he’s said little of the trinity of longer-term risks posed by environmental degradation, resource scarcity and climate change.

“The Chancellor should use the Budget to report on the contribution that the natural environment makes to the UK economy, the risks to businesses and individuals associated with environmental damage, and the measures needed to maintain the healthy natural environment upon which our prosperity depends.”

WWF Ambassador Lord Adair Turner (senior fellow at the Institute for New Economic Thinking and former chairman of the UK Financial Services Authority), said:

“In the wake of the Paris agreement, and with the impact of climate change on homes and businesses becoming impossible to ignore, creating a green economy through smarter use of taxes and targeted public spending should be a far higher priority for government. Free markets won’t deliver this on their own. The Treasury needs to take a hard look at how we can use all available policy levers to drive this change, starting with this year’s budget.”

For further information, please contact Toby Roxburgh, Economics Adviser, WWF-UK troxburgh@wwf.org.uk 07990 531012

COP21: We have a new climate deal. What now?

2015-12-14

The Paris Agreement hasn’t solved climate change, but it’s got us on the right track.

This weekend something truly exciting happened. Over 190 countries signed up to a ground-breaking deal on climate change action.

All these countries agreed that we need to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C, and try to keep it below 1.5°C.

At the moment, adding up all the individual commitments countries have made to reduce emissions doesn’t get us far enough, but the agreement should still be celebrated. Here’s why.

1.    Governments have promised to help tackle global warming by limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This will mean phasing out fossil fuels, moving to renewable energy and protecting forests.

2.    Countries will need to strengthen their promises and targets over time, even before 2020 when the agreement kicks in. This is crucial to help us keep below 2°C.

3.    The agreement includes continued support to help vulnerable developing countries deal with the damaging impacts of climate change.

So what now?

COP21 has given us a big step up in the struggle to protect our planet from the impacts of climate change. Now the talking’s done, it’s time for action by all governments, including our own.

The UK has been leading the way in many respects. We have a world-leading Climate Change Act. We have Carbon Budgets to limit our emissions. We are the first major economy to commit to phasing out coal power.

These are all good things, but balanced against the recent actions of the government they’re far from enough. We need to see real certainty now that we are heading towards a renewable energy future.

The world can have 100% renewable energy by 2050, but we'll need ambitious decisions from our government to get us there.

New report shows that forest protection could hold key to strong climate deal

2015-12-08

A new report released today by IUCN, Climate Advisers and WWF reveals the huge potential that more effective and ambitious forest conservation and restoration could make in the fight to combat climate change.

This report has found that if just 12 forest countries, including Brazil and Indonesia, meet their existing forest goals this would cut annual global climate emissions by 3.5 gigatonnes in 2020 – equivalent to the total annual emissions from India and Australia put together. With additional ambition on top of these goals, achieving near zero forest loss in these countries by 2020 would save nearly 5 gigatonnes a year - as much as India, Australia plus Japan’s annual emissions.

But even current national plans to reduce deforestation and restore forest landscapes might not be realised without stronger international support, as most are conditional on international finance.

In the run up to the Paris climate change talks, dozens of countries included action on forests in the national plans they submitted - so called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. Today’s report analyses the targets of 12 countries - Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Tanzania - that are home to nearly half the world’s tropical forests.

It’s vital that the climate finance pledges and the final Paris agreement give forest nations the necessary long-term support to press ahead with, and extend, their conservation and restoration plans.

This report will be discussed at an IUCN event in Paris on 9 December at the UN climate conference. This report is a consultation draft with initial results. The full technical report will be published in 2016 and we are open to feedback on the messaging and approach in this version.

Record-breaking climate march heralds the start of COP21

2015-12-02

The world is watching as negotiations for a global climate deal begin in Paris.

The climate conference everyone's been talking about - known as COP21 - is happening right now in Paris. All eyes are on world leaders, who are there to agree a global deal on climate change.

Over the weekend 785,000 people took to the streets worldwide in the biggest climate mobilisation ever. In true British style the weather was terrible all over the UK, but it didn't dampen our spirits.

In London, the crowds were over 50,000 strong, and thousands of others turned out in Edinburgh, Cardiff and cities around the country. We were in London with The Climate Coalition, asking for a fair and ambitious climate deal.

Since the conference began on Monday, heads of state have been speaking about their ambitions for a strong deal, and negotiations are now underway. We can’t predict what the final result will be, but it will be brilliant if:

1. Governments promise to help keep global warming well below 2C, or even better 1.5C, by limiting greenhouse gas emissions – including phasing out fossil fuels and moving to renewable energy.

2. Less developed countries – which are least responsible for global warming historically – are provided with financial support to continue developing in a cleaner way and adapting to their changing world.

3. Vulnerable people and ecosystems are put first.

4. The agreement is explicit that reducing emissions from deforestation and land use is essential. In addition, ending deforestation can significantly help reduce emissions before the deal kicks in by 2020.

5. The agreement is based on scientific evidence, and will be implemented in a transparent and accountable way.

6. Leaders recognise that action needs to start now, not in 5 years, and that we need to continue to tighten targets over time.

Whatever agreement comes out of Paris, leaders should understand that the commitments they make in December are just the start, and we expect them to become stronger and more ambitious as time goes on. We want to see the UK take the lead on phasing out harmful fossil fuels, embracing clean and reliable renewable technology, and setting an example to other countries.

Success: the UK will phase out coal by 2025

2015-11-18

Today the UK Government has announced that it will phase out unabated coal power by 2025.

It’s great news for more reasons than one: coal is a big driver of climate change, a threat to health, and an obstruction to modern energy technologies. Now that the big, polluting power stations are set to be decommissioned, the UK will be much better prepared to move to a low-carbon economy.

The announcement sends a clear signal to other countries attending global talks in December that tackling climate change internationally requires action at home. It is a great success for all who have been asking for this change, including the 50,000 members of the public who joined the call.

WWF-UK Chief Executive David Nussbaum said:

"Today the UK Government has become the first major economy to announce that it will phase out coal from its power sector. This is particularly significant with only days to go before the negotiations on a new international climate change deal begin in Paris.

"By phasing out coal between 2023 and 2025 and the government has recognised the serious environmental impacts of dirty coal – and its potential to bust the UK's climate commitments.”

The news could be a great first step towards a clean energy future, but the UK needs to get serious about renewable energy. There is a lot of work to be done to convince the Government to divert resources towards the clean, cost-effective and proven technologies of the renewable energy industry.

Turning the table on Oak Furniture Land

2015-10-13

You might serve free range turkey this Christmas – but what are you sitting on to watch the Queen’s speech?

The adverts have begun – order now, and your new sofa will be delivered by Christmas! Perhaps when you order your turkey, you’ll look for free range. You might well do that for every Sunday roast. You may well choose free range eggs for your breakfast over battery farm produced.

The point is you have that choice. But, if you’re a customer of Oak Furniture Land, and many other retailers, you can’t be sure of where the wood in the product you’re buying is coming from. Unlike the now common-place free range labelling, there is a lack of publicly available information on sustainable sourcing of wood.

We all like Christmas surprises, but not if we think they’re part of habitat destruction. Since finding oak from the Russian Far East (an area which experiences high levels of illegal logging) in one of Oak Furniture Land’s products, WWF has been trying to gain evidence from the company on whether the wood for its furniture comes from legal and sustainable sources. Other furniture manufacturers, including Debenhams and House of Fraser, are similarly mysterious about where they get their wood, as are several musical instrument makers, toy sellers, and publishers.

But there are many who are doing well and improving, so we know change can happen. The aim of the Timber Scorecard is to encourage companies to commit to robust standards that ensure their products do not contribute to deforestation, and improve transparency on the source of their timber – in other words, make sure they are using legal wood from well-managed forests, and telling customers what they’re buying. This in turn would help customers choose sustainably, in the same way that labelling on the provenance of eggs and chicken is now widely seen, and expected.

Sadly, despite repeated approaches from WWF, direct action from almost 7,500 members of the public and a “zero” score in WWF’s first Timber Scorecard in July 2015, Oak Furniture Land has not shown that it has taken any steps towards publishing either a policy on where it sources its timber, or figures that indicate timber is coming from well managed forests.

So what can you do? As consumers, you can ask in store where something comes from, and look for the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) logo. And, you can sign our petition to get the EU laws changed to include toys, chairs and other ‘missing’ products made of wood. As a business, you can sign up to our Save Forests campaign. Join us to Save Forests now.

Sky Rainforest Rescue concludes with a billion trees still standing

2015-10-06

After six amazing years and many incredible Amazon adventures, our Sky Rainforest Rescue campaign came to an end last week. But - our vital conservation work and commitment to protecting the environment continue.

WWF’s unique partnership with Sky started in 2009 with the ambition of helping to protect one billion trees in the Amazon rainforest. Thanks to the support of thousands of Sky customers, employees and the general public we've raised over £9 million to help keep the rainforest standing in our project area of Acre in Brazil.

We supported a range of conservation projects in Acre designed to give local people ways of making a sustainable living from the rainforest without having to cut down trees.

And we brought the amazing Amazon home to millions of people in the UK and Ireland through inspiring programme-making, visitor experiences and outreach to schools.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped make Sky Rainforest Rescue a success. Whether you adopted a jaguar, made a donation or pledged to make a rainforest-friendly change to your everyday life, you made a difference!

The impact of Sky Rainforest Rescue:
• One billion trees still standing in the project area in Acre
• Over £9 million raised towards conservation projects
• Over 1,500 Amazon farming families engaged in sustainable agriculture
• More than a million visitors to our UK rainforest experiences
• Eighty thousand children taking part in our I Love Amazon Schools initiative
• Eight Amazon programmes and 12 weeks of environment-themed programming on Sky, telling the story of the crucial role of the rainforests

While Sky Rainforest Rescue is ending, our conservation work will continue. The funds raised will continue to support this vital work in 2016. In addition, WWF is committed to ongoing work in Acre state as well as other parts of the Amazon to ensure the rainforest continues to be valued and protected in the long term.

Find out more about how we’re protecting the Amazon
WWF and Sky will also continue to work in partnership to drive awareness of issues such as climate change and in support of Sky’s environmental strategy.

David Nussbaum, Chief Executive of WWF-UK says:
“We’d like to thank Sky and their customers for joining us on this amazing six-year journey into the rainforest. Their generosity has made a real and lasting impact on the people and wildlife of the Amazon.

“Keeping the rainforest standing should matter to all of us, wherever we live. Globally, deforestation and forest degradation cause up to a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions and are robbing future generations of rich, beautiful natural resources.

“By joining WWF’s conservation expertise with Sky’s vision and with the commitment of the Acre state government, we have found ways to help keep deforestation at bay in this fragile part of the Amazon.”

You can support WWF’s work in the Amazon by adopting a jaguar
If you currently have a Sky Rainforest Rescue jaguar or acre adoption, or donate in another way, you should have already received information about how you can continue to help protect the Amazon. For questions about adoptions, donations or any other queries, please call WWF’s supporter care team on 01483 426333.

Are we undermining our natural heritage?

2015-10-01

Almost a third of all natural World Heritage Sites under threat of oil, gas and mining exploration Risk rises to almost two thirds for natural World Heritage Sites in Africa Investors warned to assess risk of backing extractive companies threatening WHS.

In our report out today, Safeguarding Outstanding Natural Value, we describe how almost a third of all natural World Heritage Sites has the threat of oil, gas and mining exploration hanging over it. This threat rises to an alarming 61 per cent in Africa. Natural World Heritage Sites are places of outstanding natural value, such as the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania.

The new assessment - in a report called Safeguarding Outstanding Natural Value, produced by WWF, Aviva Investors and Investec Asset Management - puts the risk at a higher level than previously thought. The report also brings to light the risk to investors of involvement with extractives companies working, or who might work, in these special places now or in the future.

Covering less than one per cent of the planet and containing outstanding natural value such as iconic landscapes and species, natural World Heritage Sites are in increasing danger of exploitation and irreparable damage, which in turn damages the communities who depend on these amazing places for their livelihoods.

Furthermore, natural World Heritage Sites are home to some of the rarest and most treasured animals on Earth, such as mountain gorillas, African elephants, snow leopards, whales and marine turtles.

The threat level relates to active operations by extractive companies, or intrusion that may come as a result of concessions for exploration of minerals or oil and gas overlapping these sites.
Investors are being warned in the report of their risk exposure if they back the companies involved, both in terms of financial risk and threats to their reputation; in short, there is too much risk for not enough reward in this case.

WWF is calling on investors to use the evidence in the report to engage with the extractive sector at industry level to encourage the wider adoption of ‘no go’ and ‘no impact’ commitments for natural WHS, and for companies to proactively disclose active, existing, or intended activity within, or adjacent to, natural World Heritage Sites.

WWF-UK’s Chief Executive David Nussbaum said “We are going to the ends of the Earth in pursuit of more resources – resources, including minerals, oil and gas, that are becoming more difficult and more expensive to extract. Some of the world’s most treasured places are threatened by destructive industrial activities that imperil the very values for which they have been granted the highest level of international recognition: outstanding natural value.

“Protecting these iconic places is not only important in terms of their environmental worth; it is crucial for the livelihoods and future of the people who depend on them. Working with industry leaders such as Aviva and Investec will help us to get this message out to the wider finance industry. Investors have a unique opportunity, and indeed responsibility, to be stewards of capital and shape our future.”

The world’s largest tropical forest conservation programme – ARPA – reaches 99% of its goal

2015-08-31

The Amazon Regional Protected Areas Programme – known as ARPA – is the world’s largest tropical forest conservation programme. Launched in 2002 by the Brazilian government in partnership with WWF and others, its goal was to take 60 m ha of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and turn into a combination of sustainable-use and strict protected areas.

In late August, six additional protected areas were included in the programme, bringing ARPA’s total to 111 protected areas covering 59.3 million hectares – 99% of its original goal of 60 m ha.

The good news was spread last week, with the announcement that the German government will provide financial support of 116 million Brazilian reals (nearly U.S $ 33 million) to ARPA’s innovative financing mechanism.

A new Presidential Decree for ARPA was also signed, updating the original 2002 decree and formalizing ARPA’s new plan to achieve full financial sustainability for all of ARPA’s protected areas over the next 25 years.

The innovative conservation finance approach, envisioned by WWF and its partners a few years ago involves a “transition fund” from which Brazil will receive financing over a period of time that is sufficient for the government eventually to cover fully the significant costs of maintaining ARPA sites. This has been made possible by the diverse and unique collaboration among numerous partners, including the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio), the Linden Trust for Conservation, the World Bank, Germany’s KFW and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Government faces legal challenge after failing to protect some of England’s most precious rivers

2015-08-27

The High Court has granted permission for WWF-UK, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal to challenge Defra and the Environment Agency over their failure to protect some of England’s most precious rivers, lakes and coastal areas from agricultural pollution.

The focus of the court case is on habitats that are protected by law and known as Natura 2000 sites. They include national treasures like Poole Harbour and the Rivers Avon, Wye & Eden, where pollution is having a harmful impact on species that should thrive in these habitats. The UK government is required by law to take all the necessary steps to ensure they are at good health by December 2015, but it is not going to achieve this.

This is because current action is not sufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. To protect these special habitats adequately, WWF, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal want the government to use all the tools at its disposal to ensure these precious places are properly protected and restored for people and wildlife.

This would include Water Protection Zones (WPZs), which were identified by the Environment Agency in 2009 as its preferred tool to reduce pollution if voluntary measures were not successful.

David Nussbaum, Chief Executive, WWF-UK, said: “The health of our rivers and lakes is one of the most critical concerns for WWF-UK, the Angling Trust and Fish Legal. Not only are they vital for important species such as Atlantic salmon, bullhead fish, bittern and kingfisher, but they are also important for recreational activities such as fishing, walking and birdwatching, which provide a vital income for rural communities.

“We are calling on the government to use the tools at its disposal to tackle the issue. We hope this legal action will lead to a rethink of the approach of the government and Environment Agency so that we can see real improvements in these precious places.”

Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive for the Angling Trust and Fish Legal, said: “Poor land management is causing soils carrying nutrients and pesticides to wash into our precious rivers, seriously harming some of our most important fish species, such as Atlantic salmon, stocks of which have plummeted in recent years. This pollution is not only bad for fish and wildlife, but also anglers who contribute billions to the economy every year.

“We must ensure the necessary measures are in place to stop this pollution, and give our rivers and lakes a chance to recover and thrive.”

Now that permission for Judicial Review has been granted, the case will proceed to court later in the year. If successful, and its actions are found to be unlawful, the government will have to identify the regulatory steps necessary to tackle pollution affecting these areas.

Andy Murray sports the panda at the US Open

2015-08-26

Britain’s leading tennis player and WWF global ambassador, Andy Murray, is set to wear our iconic panda on his sleeve during the US Open.

Bringing together his two loves, tennis and wildlife, Andy hopes to highlight the fight against the illegal wildlife trade as he showcases his skills on the global stage.

Global ambassador Andy Murray said: “I’m extremely proud to support WWF and it’s great to be able to raise global awareness for their work to protect some of the most iconic, yet threatened species on our planet. While the spotlight will be on the players during the tournament, I hope that supporters will also take a moment to find out more about WWF’s work and my particular interest in their fight against the illegal wildlife trade.”

This isn’t the first time that Andy Murray has combined his two passions.

Since becoming one of our global ambassadors, Andy has been supporting our fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade. The British number one is particularly passionate about raising awareness for our initiative in Nepal that supports the use and training of dogs to track down poaching activity in and around Chitwan National Park. So much so that during The Championships, Wimbledon, Andy took time out of his busy training schedule to film two videos to highlight the role of sniffer dogs in the fight against illegal wildlife trade. The videos reached millions of people across the world and helped raise awareness and vital funds to tackle the wildlife crime.

Heather Sohl, Chief Advisor on Species said: “Andy’s support for our fight against poaching has been fantastic in raising both the crucial funds and awareness necessary to help tackle the illegal wildlife trade. It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to highlight our work on a global stage and as always, we wish Andy the best of luck on court.”

Everyone can play their part in tackling the illegal wildlife trade, which sees approximately 30,000 African elephants killed by poachers each year. Find out more Andy and the work he's supporting.