WWF - Conservation news & stories

Industrialisation of the Great Barrier Reef denounced by World Heritage Committee

2013-06-18

The Australian Marine Conservation Society and WWF-Australia said today that Australia's governments are putting the Great Barrier Reef at risk by failing to implement the World Heritage Committee recommendations around rapid industrialisation.

WWF- Australia's Richard Leck, who has been attending the World Heritage Meeting as an observer, said Australia had been put 'on notice' by the World Heritage Committee.

"Australian governments now have a firm deadline of June 2014 for action to avoid the global icon being placed on an international list of shame. This will be a crucial 12 months for ensuring the future of our reef and the AU$6 billion tourism industry that relies on it," Mr Leck said.

"The decision reinforces the strong concerns that scientists, fishers, local communities and people around the world have for the reef,

"The World Heritage Committee was explicit that the most precious pristine areas of the reef including Keppel Bay, north Curtis Island and the northern section of the reef need to be protected," said Mr Leck.

Felicity Wishart Great Barrier Reef Campaign Director said that the government had made some progress on water quality and farm runoff but that these gains could be overshadowed by millions of tonnes of dredging and dumping for planned mega-port development along the coast.

"Both major political parties had the opportunity to support the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee through changes to Australian environmental laws put before the Australian Senate on Monday night. Both political parties refused.

"We need both major political parties to recognise just how serious the threat to the reef is. Australian scientists are concerned, the World Heritage Committee is concerned, and yesterday millions of people tweeted their concerns.

"Yet the Queensland Government continues to fast track large scale port developments on the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian Government is failing to stop them.

"Australian state and federal governments must heed the World Heritage Committee recommendation and put the brakes on the rapid industrialisation of the coastline. There should be no more port development or dredging and dumping until a plan to properly protect the reef is in place.

"Right now there is a proposal to dredge millions of tonnes of seafloor less than 50kms from the Whitsunday Islands on Environment Minister Burke's desk. What will Tony Burke now do? Australians and the world deserve to know.

"We will continue this campaign to protect the reef from unacceptable industrialisation" concluded Ms Wishart.

BREAKING NEWS: Decision through - Australia's rapid industrialisation of the Great Barrier Reef denounced by World Heritage Committee.
— Fight for the Reef (@fightforthereef) June 18, 2013

World Heritage Committee requests cancelation of Virunga oil permits

2013-06-17

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA – The international body that oversees World Heritage Sites today requested the cancelation of oil exploration permits in Virunga National Park, some of which are currently held by international petroleum conglomerates, including UK-based Soco International PLC and French oil giant Total SA.

Located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Virunga is Africa's oldest national park and one of the continent's first World Heritage Sites. It was inscribed in 1979 in recognition of its extraordinary landscapes, and because it is home to more species than any other place in the continent.

The World Heritage Committee, a rotating group of countries that manages the UNESCO World Heritage List, said it is deeply concerned that Virunga could be degazetted or that laws could be changed so that oil concessions covering 85 per cent of the park's territory could be exploited.

Conservation organizations warn that oil exploration could cause the site to lose its World Heritage status and would put in peril local livelihoods and rare species. Total SA last month pledged to stay out of the park's current boundaries, but remains active just outside its borders. Soco International PLC has not made a commitment to respect the integrity of the park.

"Virunga National Park is one of the last places on Earth you should go looking for oil," said René Ngongo, mining and extractives policy advisor at WWF-DRC. "The park is of global conservation importance and is vital for the livelihoods of many people living around it. We are urging alternative development models that are sustainable for the long term -- development that provides real benefits to local communities and does not put endangered species at risk."

The World Heritage Committee also turned its attention to the responsibilities member countries have as parties to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Governments were urged in a decision "to do their utmost to ensure that the mining or petroleum companies established on their territories do not damage World Heritage properties."

During debate over potential oil exploration in Virunga, the one committee member stressed the particular responsibility of corporations based in countries that are signatories to the World Heritage Convention. "World Heritage Sites have been recognized for their outstanding universal value. We are monitoring closely the situation in African World Heritage Sites, including Virunga, and reiterated today that oil exploration is incompatible with the spirit of the convention," the committee member from Estonia said.

""The World Heritage Committee has made it clear today that these precious places are no-go areas for damaging extractive activities," said Christof Schenck, Chief Executive Officer of Frankfurt Zoological Society. "Oil exploration could destroy Virunga forever and must not go forward."

Peruvian ocean conservationist wins top honours in prestigious international award

2013-06-12

Jackson Hole, USA: Kerstin Forsberg, a 28-year-old marine conservation biologist and campaigner based in Peru, has been awarded the WWF International President's Award 2013 at a special ceremony during global conservation organization WWF's Annual Conference.

As Founder-Director of the non-profit organization "Planeta Océano" since 2007, Kerstin leads community-based marine research, environmental education and participatory sustainable development initiatives in Peru. Prior to this she has been a prolific volunteer with many ocean conservation and green educational groups across the country.

"I am delighted to present this year's WWF International President's Award to Kerstin Forsberg, and I commend her warmly for her energy and dedication to saving our seas and rallying others to the cause. She is an inspiration to us all," said Yolanda Kakabadse, WWF International President.

"This Award shines a light on brilliant young people who are working hard to protect the natural world. We desperately need young leaders and pioneers joining the nature conservation movement and sharing their passion and skills – and Kerstin is an excellent example," said Kakabadse.

The annual WWF International President's Award acknowledges and encourages outstanding achievements of young people under the age of 30 who are making strong and compelling contributions to nature conservation. Nominations are invited via WWF offices around the world.

Other awards presented during this year's WWF Annual Conference include the WWF Award for Conservation Merit, going to Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean, and Catalan fisheries management group the "Co-management Committee for the Management Plan of the Artisanal Sandeel Seine in Catalonia". Roger Sant of the US was made a WWF Member of Honour, and the posthumous WWF International Roll of Honour this year commemorates Russell E. Train, a leading conservation pioneer and founder of WWF-US. Dr Trudy Ecoffey and Dr Thomas Lovejoy received the WWF Leader of a Living Planet awards, and the WWF Staff Award for Outstanding Achievement goes to Ginette Hemley, Senior Vice President for Conservation Strategy and Science at WWF-US. The WWF Gold Panda Awards, recognising significant generosity in supporting WWF, have been awarded to Edward P. Bass, John & Virginia Sall and SAS Institute, Inc., Adrienne & John Mars and Mars Incorporated, and Muhtar A. Kent and The Coca-Cola Company.

Kerstin Forsberg - Winner of WWF International President's Award, 2013

Mexico approves measure to save world's rarest marine mammal

2013-06-07

The government of Mexico has taken a decisive step to save the vaquita - a porpoise threatened by extinction - and to promote sustainable fisheries in the upper Gulf of California for the benefit of fishers and their families, says WWF-Mexico.

The new regulation, called an official norm, comes after over 38,000 people from 127 countries signed WWF's petition to Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto requesting measures to save the vaquita and allow fishers to continue to earn a living through sustainable fishing.

"With this norm, drift gillnets - one of the nets used in artisanal shrimping operations in which vaquitas die incidentally - will be gradually substituted, during a three year period, for selective fishing gears that does not kill this porpoise, but that allow fishers to keep earning their livelihoods. The effective application of the norm requires the participation and commitment of local fishermen. The optimal use of the net requires the development of particular skills; therefore, the support of the government and other organizations through training and temporary compensation programs will be essential along the fisher´s learning curve," said Omar Vidal, WWF-Mexico's Director General.

"It represents a major opportunity to promote sustainable fisheries in the region and to protect this Mexican porpoise. WWF acknowledges the commitment of the Mexican government to save the vaquita from extinction", added Vidal.

Of all cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), the vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the only one endemic to Mexico, has the most restricted distribution (it only lives in the upper Gulf of California), is the smallest (reaches a maximum length of 1.5 meters) and faces the highest risk of extinction.

It is estimated that less than 200 vaquitas currently survive. Its main threat is incidental entanglement and drowning in drift gillnets used to catch shrimp, sharks, rays and other fish. Vaquitas also continues to die trapped in gillnets used in the illegal fishing of totoaba, a fish which is also endangered.

The new regulation establishes shrimping standards in Mexico and defines the fishing gears permitted in different zones of the country.

South China Sea, Mediterranean and North Sea are shipping accidents hotspots

2013-06-07

Gland, Switzerland: Some of the world`s most iconic oceans are also the most at risk according to a new study on shipping accidents released by WWF for World Oceans Day.

The South China Sea and East Indies, east Mediterranean and Black Sea, North Sea and British Isles were found to be dangerous hotspots for accidents involving ships.

"Since 1999 there have been 293 shipping accidents in the South China Sea and east Indies, home of the Coral Triangle and 76 per cent of the world's coral species." said Dr Simon Walmsley, Marine Manger, WWF International. "As recently as April this year we`ve seen a Chinese fishing boat run aground on a protected coral reef in the Philippines that had already been damaged by a US Navy ship in January."

Fishing vessels accounted for nearly a quarter of the vessels lost at sea but general cargo ships account for over 40 per cent. Cargo ships often operate short shipping routes, associated with the tramp trading where ships don't have a set route and pick up opportunistic trade, particularly in Southeast Asia.

The risk to the environment is directly linked to the type and amount of hazardous substances, including oil, being transported and the sensitivity of the marine area where any accident could occur.

In 2002, the Prestige oil tanker sunk resulting in over 70,000 tonnes of oil being released into the Atlantic Ocean off the Spanish coast.

"The Prestige oil spill caused not only environmental impacts but economic losses estimated at €8 billion. Even small scale accidents in very sensitive environments, like the Great Barrier Reef, can have profound environmental consequences." said Dr Walmsley.

Climate change models show increased storm surges, changing wind and wave patterns and extreme weather events which are likely to exacerbate the risks of foundering leading to potential catastrophic environmental destruction. Fifty per cent of all accidents are caused by foundering, where a boat sinks due to rough weather, leaks or breaking in two.

As the global fleet continues to expand rapidly and begins to operate routinely in more risky areas the probability of accidents and likely severity of impacts will again increase unless precautionary measures are put in place to address identifiable risk factors.

"We really want to see the shipping industry promote greater owner and operator responsibility and encourage owners to register with better flag states, the country which a vessel is registered to."

"Additionally, irresponsible and badly performing owners and countries need to be exposed in order to motivate them to significantly increase their standards which will decrease the number of accidents we see still occurring today" said Dr Walmsley.

WWF calls for major investment in clean and renewable energy with launch of new global campaign

2013-06-05

With a global call to action urging governments and financial institutions worldwide to increase investment in renewable energy by at least US$40 billion over the next 12 months, WWF today launched its new international campaign under the slogan Seize Your Power.

"We are running out of time. We know that if we continue to rely on fossil fuels we will face a future of worsening air pollution and an increasingly inhospitable climate. It is now our collective responsibility to commit to the future we want. We call on political and financial decision-makers to seize their power to make the switch to clean and sustainable renewable energy and end the inertia of coal, oil and gas," said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

The launch of the WWF Seize Your Power campaign on World Environment Day witnessed a sweep of local and global, online public actions to signal the start of the campaign. The action centred on signing a pledge that enables supporters to call for increased investments in renewable energy and the phasing out of investments in coal, oil and gas.

The pledge, which can be found on www.panda.org/seizeyourpower, calls on financial institutions and governments worldwide to act immediately, by making stronger commitments to increased financing for renewable technologies and policies and to directly invest more money in sustainable energy powered by wind, water and sun.

From today, WWF will campaign to seek major public commitments from governments and international financial institutions to make new investments of $40 billion USD beyond business-as-usual in the renewable energy sector. The public campaign will feature in more than 20 countries, where WWF is targeting public finance, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.

By establishing a business case for moving new money into renewable energy, the campaign will show the environmental, social and economic risks of the dependence on dirty energy such as coal, oil and gas.

"The energy markets' driving forces include speculation, institutional inertia, lack of accurate information, perverse incentives but also huge economic and political interests. It's time to reframe the debate and expose the real costs of fossil fuels and the real opportunity of the renewable energy sector.

"The call to action we're launching today is an invitation to every decision maker to invest in the future we want – one that is powered by clean, renewable and sustainable energy," said Samantha Smith, Leader of the Global Climate and Energy Initiative of WWF-International.

While US$40 billion is only the start of the additional amount of investment that is needed, WWF believes that these new investments are an essential turning point in shifting money from risky fossil fuels into clean and renewable energy.

If the rise in CO2 levels year after year continues while we ignore science, it will only mean drastic consequences in years to come.

"We need to act and invest money now in clean, renewable energy to limit dangerous climate change, to reduce the risks to human health from dirty fossil fuels, to fast-track access to energy, and to safeguard our collective future," Smith ended.

Media contacts:
Michael Storey: mstorey@wwfint.org / +41 (0)79 330 7162 / WWF International, Media Officer

Mandy Woods: mwoods@wwf.org.ze / +27 82 553 4211 / WWF Global Climate & Energy Initiative, Head of Communications and Campaigns

Gemma Parkes: gparkes@wwfint.org / +41 (0)79 253 6386 / WWF International Manager, Media, Executive Communications

Notes to editors:
Related images can be downloaded here: https://photos.panda.org/gpn/external?albumId=4417

Follow @WWF, Jim Leape (@jimleape), Samantha Smith (@pandaclimate) and the WWF media team (@wwf_media) on Twitter for more updates

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

panda.org/news for latest news and media resources

WWF welcomes Mexico's 2050 Climate Vision; now global funding must be made available to implement such strategies

2013-06-04

Gland, Switzerland: Mexico's launch today of a 2050 Climate Change Vision report is a welcome next step in its path to a low-carbon future, says WWF.

A number of the measures included in Mexico's 2050 Vision Strategy are shown to have the potential for significant and positive impacts on the Mexican economy. However, there is an important bundle of measures that imply short-term financial burdens.

Despite the positives in the report, even the best strategies will be waylaid if funding to implement them is not made available, says WWF's Global Climate & Energy Initiative leader Samantha Smith.

"All the elements needed to achieve Mexico's ambitious 2050 goal to reduce emissions by 50% compared to year 2000 levels are included in the report. And now it is time for global funders like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to act if efforts such as those in Mexico are to be encouraged," says Smith.

The GCF was established as a mechanism within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to provide finance from wealthy, high-emitting countries to countries – including Mexico – that are combating climate change through cutting emissions and adaptation efforts.

In October 2012, Mexico enacted its landmark General Climate Change Law which required, among other things, the development of an over-arching long-term climate strategy.

The Climate Change Vision for 2050 includes massive deployment of public transport systems and a rapid escalation of renewable energy – and these are all the right elements for achieving a low-emissions economy.

"The report shows Mexico's continued commitment to combating climate change and is an example to the world on the critical importance of climate legislation," says WWF-Mexico Climate Change Director Vanessa Pérez-Cirera. "We now need to support leader countries such as Mexico to achieve what they have set themselves to achieve. Otherwise our global efforts to keep global warming below 2°C will be thwarted," she added.

WWF stands up for Taksim Gezi Park

2013-06-02

Istanbul, Turkey – WWF-Turkey supports the demonstrations at Taksim Gezi Park and the people who want to protect Istanbul's natural heritage and avoid further uncontrolled and unsustainable development in the city, such as the shopping mall that is proposed for construction in the park.

WWF-Turkey also calls on the government to respect and preserve Istanbul's natural habitat.  

"Standing up for Taksim Gezi Park means ensuring a future where people live in harmony with nature. Istanbul is running out of breath. We don't need more shopping malls but we do need more parks and green spaces in this city", said Tolga Bastak, CEO of WWF-Turkey.

"Since current investment decisions focus on short-term economic profits, this would destroy the last standing park in the heart of the city," said Bastak.

"We are destroying the cultural and natural assets that make Istanbul a living city. That needs to stop. We need to support a sustainable life which is in harmony with nature, and respect everybody's right to defend the fundamental human need for natural spaces over the uncontrolled pursuit of unsustainable projects".  

Nature in Turkey has never faced such a threat since the establishment of the Republic.

WWF-Turkey is very concerned about the latest regulations and decisions taken in Istanbul and all around the country, and it calls on the government to consider environmental and social impacts when planning and approving their projects and policies.

WWF will continue to closely follow latest developments. 

Media contact:
Tugba Ugur, WWF-Turkey Communications Officer: tugur@wwf.org.tr / +90 530 762 60 87

Follow Twitter updates:
@WWF_TURKIYE, @WWF, @wwf_media

Protecting environment key to ending poverty, finds UN High Level Panel

2013-05-30

Gland: Taxes, incentives, regulations, subsidies, trade and public procurement need to be realigned to favour sustainable consumption and production patterns if the world wants to end poverty, according to the UN High Level Panel charged with setting the new direction for global development.

"Without environmental sustainability we cannot end poverty," said the UN's High Level Panel on the post-2015 Development Agenda.

The report of the 26-member panel, which included UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Queen Rania of Jordan and Unilever CEO Paul Polman, has the potential to influence over USD 25 trillion of development spending and marks a clear break from the practice of treating development and sustainability as separate topics.

"The Millennium Development Goals were a first global attempt to address poverty and other development challenges but protection of the environment was barely acknowledged and hardly addressed," said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

"Nearly fifteen years on, there is finally recognition that poverty cannot be eradicated and the well-being of people across the globe cannot be secured without addressing the grave pressures on the environment and the natural systems that support human life on this planet," Leape added.

The report calls for hard-hitting measures to be taken in both developed and developing countries to reduce the impacts of consumption, production, trade, waste and pollution.

The Panel's findings have the potential to influence over USD 25 trillion of international resource flows to developing countries to redraft government and corporate behaviours.

"We came to the conclusion that the moment is right to merge the poverty and environmental tracks guiding international development" states the Panel report.

The Panel underlined the inadequacies of GDP measures of progress and recommended mandatory social and environmental reporting by all companies with a market capitalisation above USD 100 million.

Proposed goals to secure food, water and energy for a growing world population should include key targets to safeguard sustainable agriculture, fisheries, freshwater systems and energy supplies, the report said.

The High Level Panel also affirmed that the new development agenda is a global one.

"The world has changed since the MDGs were agreed," said Jim Leape.

"The global financial and economic crises have shown that poverty and growing inequality are problems for all countries. Production and consumption choices in one place have environmental impacts across the globe."

"We now look to all countries to build on the High Level Panel's report and agree an ambitious set of goals and targets that will spur urgent action," said Leape.

Further Information:
Gemma Parkes, WWF International, gparkes@wwfint.org, +41 79 253 6386

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

panda.org/news for latest news and media resources

Late night deal on fisheries lacks decisive action on fish stocks

2013-05-30

Brussels, Belgium: Early this morning negotiations between the Irish Presidency and the European Parliament concluded with an agreement on the basic regulation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). WWF is concerned that some key issues are being ignored such as decisive actions badly needed to replenish seriously depleted fish stocks.

Despite efforts to reach a deal on this issue by member of the European Parliament, Ulrike Rodust, and her parliamentary negotiating team, the Irish Presidency, representing a divided Fisheries Council led by countries with large fishing industries, preferred to defend a business as usual approach that might delay fish stock recoveries.

"WWF acknowledges the constructive role played by the European Parliament in its attempt to bring about a deal that would reinvigorate a failed fisheries policy. While almost two-thirds of the assessed fish stocks in the EU are overexploited and many fishermen face bankruptcy, the majority of EU's governments have decided to stonewall negotiations and have refused to accept an agreement that would allow a full recovery and increased income for fishermen within the next 10 years." Tony Long, Director of the European Policy Office.

The new EU-CFP reform cannot continue the 40 year pattern of negotiations and self-congratulation by politicians, while fish stocks continue to decline.

"Even if the new CFP does not address the deep problem of overcapacity, WWF hopes that we do not return to the old wasteful way of managing EU's fish stocks. We will continue to ensure that fishermen, and stakeholders, with the support of the scientific community, will have a decisive say over how the industry is run."

The European Parliament and Mrs Rodust's negotiating team and the Irish Presidency should be commended for their endeavour to provide a real transition to a sustainable CFP despite the Fisheries Council inability to support ambitious goals. The agreement includes some positive elements but fails to end overfishing in the coming generations.

The new deal needs to become a legal framework that helps reverse the current frenzied grab for threatened fish, the overcapacity of fishing fleets and a regime whereby the industry is forced into noncompliance.

"We call on all concerned stakeholders to quickly start working within the new legislative framework for multi annual plans to be drawn up and implemented urgently. The plans need to become the backbone of the new CFP. They must be framed to deliver on the most urgent needs for fish stocks and the marine environment recovery. We also hope that the new CFP provides the basis for forging a truly sustainable foreign dimension for the EU's fleets. While negotiating partnership agreement with Third Countries, the EU shall act in line with international commitments, obligations and policy objectives to achieve sustainable fishing operations outside EU's waters".

African Development Bank and WWF call for urgent action to combat wildlife crime

2013-05-30

Marrakech, Morocco: The African Development Bank (AfDB) and WWF will launch today a joint global call for action and commitment from governments and other institutions to combat the rampant illicit wildlife trafficking scourge that is robbing Africa of precious natural resources and posing a major threat to stability and economies across the continent.

Speaking alongside President Ali Bongo of Gabon during the Bank's annual meetings at an event to outline the implications of wildlife trafficking to Africa's development, AfDB President Donald Kaberuka and WWF International Director General Jim Leape will call for commitment at the highest level.

During the event the African Development Bank will launch the Marrakech Declaration (also available in French) highlighting the out-of-control nature of illicit wildlife trafficking and urging "countries and their citizens to act urgently to fight illicit wildlife trafficking in Africa and across the globe".

"Wildlife crime is a serious crime, and it is not just the rhinos and elephants that are in danger – there are grave implications also for national security, the rule of law and the wellbeing of communities across Africa. Action is needed now at the highest levels if we are to bring this crisis under control," said Jim Leape.

"Illicit wildlife trafficking is a wrong that we must relentlessly resist – our people, our natural resources and our very economic development are at risk," said Donald Kaberuka, AfDB President. "I call on leaders across Africa and beyond to invest in our region's future by doing all they can to strengthen law enforcement and criminal justice for these crimes."

Wildlife crime also featured in a United Nations Security Council gathering yesterday in New York where UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon released a report on illicit wildlife trafficking being a serious crime needing urgent attention.

The AfDB annual meetings run until Friday 31st May in Marrakech, Morocco, under the theme of "Africa's structural transformation". The AfDB-WWF side event on illicit wildlife trafficking takes place on Thursday 30th May at 19.00-20.30 local time.

UN chief takes poaching concerns to Security Council

2013-05-29

The United Nations Security Council today will be briefed on the severe and escalating threat to peace and security posed by Central Africa's heavily-armed elephant poaching gangs.

In a report to the world's highest international security body, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says, "Poaching and its potential linkages to other criminal, even terrorist, activities constitute a grave menace to sustainable peace and security in Central Africa."

The Secretary-General's report highlights increasing links between elephant poaching, weapons proliferation and regional insecurity. "Illegal ivory trade may currently constitute an important source of funding for armed groups," the report says. "Also of concern is that poachers are using more and more sophisticated and powerful weapons, some of which, it is believed, might be originating from the fallout in Libya."

"The spread of cross-border poaching in Central Africa and its links to sophisticated armed groups is alarming. We have seen the devastating impact of this crime in too many countries," said WWF International Director General Jim Leape. "I echo Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's deep concern for the security of the region."

Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa and on the Lord's Resistance Army-affected areas was made available in advance of a dedicated Security Council session to be held at UN headquarters in New York this morning.

The report references a steep decline in Central African elephant populations over the past decade and observes that multiple mass slaughters of the animals have been reported in protected areas in recent months. Poachers seeking ivory are believed to be responsible for elephant massacres in Chad, Cameroon, Gabon and Central African Republic.

"The situation has become so serious," Ban writes, that national military responses have become necessary "to hunt down poachers". The Secretary-General urges Central African governments to respond to the major national and regional security concerns posed by poaching through "concerted and coordinated action."

Leape said: "To ensure peace, security and prosperity in Central Africa, efforts must be taken at the highest level to combat wildlife trafficking. I urge the governments of Central Africa to strengthen enforcement and criminal justice responses to wildlife crime and to address the linkages between it and other international crimes."

The WWF Director General tomorrow will join Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba and African Development Bank President Donald Kaberuka to examine the threat of illicit wildlife trafficking to sustainable economic development in Africa. The discussion will take place as part of the African Development Bank's annual meetings in Marrakech, Morocco and is expected to be attended by government and institutional officials from across the continent.

EU fisheries ministers use bullying tactics to allow overfishing

2013-05-27

Brussels, Belgium: Despite negotiating through the night to save fisheries in Europe it is becoming clear that certain European Union (EU) countries with large fishing industries, supported by the Irish Presidency, are using bullying tactics with members of the European Parliament (MEP) to push them into accepting a deal that will result in overfishing until 2020, and does little to support coastal communities.

"MEPs like Ulrike Rodust have admirably defended their parliamentary mandate in negotiations over recent weeks, and have strongly resisted pressure from Fisheries and Agriculture Council to throw in the towel and reach a quick but weak compromise. The council's attitude of non-negotiation goes completely against the spirit of co-decision with parliament and is completely unacceptable." Roberto Ferrigno, WWF's Common Fisheries Policy reform coordinator

"WWF calls on parliament and council to agree on a policy that effectively stops overfishing and allows fish stocks to recover in order to support fishermen in the long term."

Threats by some fisheries ministers to walk out of negotiations and abandon the whole Common Fisheries Policy reform are a slap in the face of the widespread public support for an ambitious deal which spurred an overwhelming majority of over 500 MEPs in favour of strong reform earlier this year.

WWF calls on the fisheries ministers and the European Parliament to agree on the fastest full recovery targets for fishery stocks. They have it within their powers to ensure that discards, fishing subsidies and stock management are addressed immediately and effectively so that we can reverse, within ten years, the situation where almost two out of three assessed stocks are at crisis level.

"This is not just the view of WWF, it is also held by progressive fishermen, scientists, industry and the public who all want real and sustainable reform. This deal will guide EU fisheries policy for the next 10 years and in the current situation of depleted fish stocks, we may not have another chance to get it right." Andrea Kohl, Programme Director with the WWF European Policy Office.

"We need a strong reform allowing fish stocks to recover. WWF is looking very carefully at the non-transparent negotiations which appear to contradict the principle of co-decision and permit blackmail threats to the MEPs by certain countries."

Common Fisheries Policy reform
Nearly two out of three assessed fish stocks in Europe are overfished. WWF believes that the current reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy must aim to ensure that by 2020 no more stocks are overfished through meaningful reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Building on a draft European Commission plan, the European Parliament adopted a legislative proposal in February with an overwhelming majority that would end overfishing in Europe.

According to recent research, the current position of the European fisheries ministers, would allow overfishing to continue for more than 100 years. Ministers and Mrs Rodust, should respect their democratic mandate and look for real compromise in negotiations this week.

How it works
In the trilogue negotiations, the Council of Ministers of the 27 EU fisheries ministers is represented by Simon Coveney, Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Affairs, who holds the Presidency of the Council and speaks for all of the EU's fisheries ministers.

The European Parliament is represented in the negotiations by Ulrike Rodust, rapporteur of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy and a member of the European Parliament.

The Council of Ministers is not willing to negotiate with the parliament on an equal basis, as provided by the Lisbon Treaty, and is trying to force the parliament to drop its ambitions to achieve a swift recovery of fish stocks, and accept a reform that will continue the status quo. Otherwise, they threaten to stop the entire reform process.

A second chance for a trapped whale shark

2013-05-23

20 May, 2013: Fishermen in the Sonmiani Bay have successfully released a juvenile whale shark trapped in their fishing nets. A tuna gillnet operating along the Balochistan coast caught the 3.5 metre whale shark accidentally.

The captain of the vessel, Muhammad Ismail, a fisherman trained by WWF-Pakistan to release endangered animals trapped in nets, took great care to ensure the whale shark was freed. It took more than an hour to get this struggling animal free without harming it.

In the past local fishermen killed whale sharks for their liver oil which was smeared on the hull of fishing boats.

Whale sharks are occasionally reported from the area but the status of their population is not known in Pakistan. They can be seen along coastal offshore waters of the country which is their feeding, breeding and basking ground.

Mr. Rab Nawaz, Director WWF-Pakistan stressed the need for protection of this species in Pakistan because of their dwindling population. There is no known natural predator of this large fish but they often die by entanglement in fishing gear.

In order to protect the whale shark, WWF-Pakistan is lobbying for provincial wildlife departments of Sindh and Balochistan to include whale sharks in Appendix-I of the respective wildlife acts so that these gentle giants may be given the status of a protected animal.

In recent years WWF-Pakistan has involved all major stakeholders in creating awareness among fishermen to not kill or harm these and other endangered species. It is due to these efforts that rescue and release activities are being reported more frequently.

The Carpathian Convention at 10: On the map, but much left to do

2013-05-22

By Andreas Beckmann

The Carpathians turn 10 years old this month. The venerable mountains have of course been around for longer – at least 66 million years in fact. But it has been only relatively recently that the Carpathians, which stretch across seven countries in Central and Eastern Europe, have really come into focus and gained a common identity as a mountain range with unique qualities, traditions and way of life, as well as challenges shared by people living across the region.

Ten years ago, on 22 May 2003, representatives of the governments of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania and Serbia put their signatures to the "Framework Convention for the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians."

Over the past decade, the "Carpathian Convention," as the agreement is more often referred to, has created a common focus and framework for identity and cooperation across the region.

Record-breaking agreement

The idea for the convention was first broached in Bucharest in 2001 at a summit of regional leaders organized by WWF and the Romanian government. Within two years, and with the support of the United Nations Environment Programme, the governments of the seven Carpathian countries had completed negotiations and inked the agreement. As far as conventions go, the Carpathian Convention was negotiated and agreed in record time.

The original framework convention has spawned a series of additional, more specific agreements between the member countries. In the past 10 years, the seven member states have adopted formal protocols on the protection of biodiversity, tourism and forests.

Implementation strategies for these protocols have been agreed or are under development. Protocols on cultural heritage and transportation are already well advanced.

Strategic guidance on adaptation to climate change is also underway and expected to be formally adopted by ministers when they meet next year. Further agreements are expected in the future, relating to agriculture, energy and regional development and spatial planning.

Paper over practice?

Critics say that, to date at least, the convention has been more about meetings and paper than actual practice. Indeed, there have been many meetings, and not all have been productive.

Even where commitments have been achieved, it is fair to ask to what extent those commitments have actually changed anything. It is simply too early to know, for example, whether the Carpathian Convention commitment to protect Europe's greatest remaining areas of virgin forest will become reality. Definitions of virgin forest will be discussed in June, to be followed then by discussion of actual protection measures to be taken.

A basic problem is that the Carpathian Convention is "soft" legislation – that is, legislation without a real bite – in contrast to EU directives and regulations, where there is the real possibility of diplomatic embarrassment and even financial fines and sanctions.

Also, while most progress has been made in terms of commitments to biodiversity protection, the key to securing this protection lies in addressing pressures in other areas, such as development of infrastructure for transportation and energy.

Habitat fragmentation is a major concern to the future of bears and other large carnivores, but so far, there has been limited progress in integrating wildlife migration corridors into transportation planning.

Similarly, the planned construction of thousands of hydropower stations across the Carpathian Mountains present an imminent threat to hundreds of streams and rivers.

Guidance for development of these projects is urgently needed to ensure that any gains in clean energy does not come at too great a cost in terms of biodiversity and other ecosystem services.

Yet it is unclear the extent to which a Carpathian Convention protocol on energy, which in any case is in the future, could address the intense pressure from investors and related political interests.

A common home

But even relatively blunt tools can be effective – for example in focusing efforts, and mobilizing cooperation and resources.

The Carpathian Convention has spawned networks of cooperation across the mountain range. Recently, 140 protected area managers and supporters came together to meet, inspire and learn from one another. Across the Carpathians, protected area managers do important work, safeguarding many of Europe's greatest natural treasures.

Indeed, over the years, a community of people and organizations has developed around and in support of the Carpathian Mountains, from government authorities to international organizations like the United Nations Environmental Programme, which currently leads the secretariat, and non-profit organizations like WWF.

Cooperation has been fostered not only across the Carpathians, but also to the Alps, with a strong partnership with the Alpine Network of Protected Areas, and the European Academy in Bolzano, an Alpine think-tank that has been giving strong support to the Carpathian Convention secretariat.

Also not to be underestimated is the importance of creating an identity and idea, and networking behind it. Ten years ago, no one spoke of the Carpathians or saw them as one range of mountains shared by different countries. Differences prevailed over things in common.

Over the past decade, this has clearly changed. The Carpathians today have become a term like the Alps, a badge of identity and pride for the countries and the people living in these areas.

Nevertheless, the Carpathian Mountains are an area of extraordinary qualities and treasures, part of WWF's Green Heart of Europe initiative, and those treasures are being lost. The extent to which they survive will be the ultimate test for the convention. A good start has been made, but much remains to be done.

Andreas Beckmann is director of the WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme, which has been closely involved in the development of the Carpathian Convention.

Learn more about the Carpathian Convention at: http://www.carpathianconvention.org/

Photos offer rare glimpse into panda habitat

2013-05-22

Beijing – WWF today released dozens of photographs and video footage of endangered species captured by camera traps in the mountainous giant panda reserves in China, marking this year's International Day for Biological Diversity.

The images and footage, rarely seen before, showcase an array of endangered species in their remote habitats in southwestern Sichuan Province, including giant panda, red panda, Tibetan stump-tailed macaque and leopard cat.

"The multimedia materials are obtained under circumstances, where there was little external disturbance and therefore they truly reflect the conditions of those species in the wild," said Jiang Zeyin, species programme officer at WWF-China.

The materials were filmed since 2011 by more than 100 infra-red camera traps set up in six nature reserves by WWF and its partners from the local forestry authority as part of the monitoring effort under the giant panda conservation programme.

With the footage, WWF conservation officers have gained a better understanding of the identification of animal traces and areas of their activities, the study of the impact of human activities on the species and management of nature reserves, according to Jiang.

"The images demonstrate that through the conservation of the giant panda, a flagship umbrella species, we can also protect other threatened wildlife from the same habitat and preserve biological diversity," said Fan Zhiyong, director of WWF species programme in China. It is a tried method in WWF's biodiversity conservation and the reason why WWF would underscore the value of protecting flagship species, he said.

China has more than 6,500 species of vertebrates representing 14 percent of the global total, making it one of the 12 globally recognized "mega-biodiversity" countries.

However, the population of more than 10 flagship and keystone species in China, which include Amur tigers, musk deer and the Yangtze finless porpoise, have undergone a marked decline that was particularly severe between the 1960s and 1980s.

"The overall biodiversity in China is in decline despite partial improvement in some places. The main threat has been the habitat loss and fragmentation due to invasive human activities," said Fan.

"Conservation of flagship species would not only benefit the ecological system, but also human development. Large-scale planning and implementation aimed at establishing a network of habitats should always be considered," said Fan.

งานประชุมในพระราชูปภัมป์เพื่อรับมือกับการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่า

2013-05-21

ลอนดอน – วันนี้ (21 พฤษภาคม) สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าชายชาร์ลส์ มกุฏราชกุมารแห่งราชวงศ์อังกฤษทรงเป็นเจ้าภาพการประชุม พร้อมด้วยคณะรัฐบาลสหราชอาณาจักร เพื่อเรียกร้องให้มีมาตรการขั้นสูงสุด เพื่อหยุดยั้งการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่า ซึ่งเป็นการค้าที่ไม่เพียงส่งผลคุกคามต่อธรรมชาติเท่านั้น แต่ยังส่งผลต่อความมั่นคงของประเทศ และของภูมิภาคอีกด้วย ซึ่ง WWF ขอน้อมรับโครงการริเริ่มที่มีเป้าหมายเพื่อตอกย้ำประเด็นนี้ในประเด็นการเมืองระหว่างประเทศ ด้วยความยินดี ในฐานะที่สมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าชายชาร์ลส์ ทรงเป็นประธานWWF-UK ทรงแสดงออกถึงความสนใจด้านการอนุรักษ์ที่สอดคล้องกันในหลายๆด้าน ซึ่งรวมไปถึงความปราถนาของพระองค์ ให้ยุติการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่า

เดวิด นุสบาม หัวหน้าคณะบริหารWWF-UK กล่าวถึงงานในครั้งนี้ว่า
"การลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่าสุ่มเสี่ยงจะทำให้ความพยายามในการอนุรักษ์ที่ทำกันมาหลายทศวรรษต้องล้มเหลว และทำให้สัตว์สายพันธุ์ที่เป็นสัญลักษณ์และมีความสำคัญทางนิเวศน์ เสี่ยงจะสูญพันธุ์ การค้ามูลค่าหลายพันล้านปอนด์นี้ ยังเป็นตัวกระตุ้นอาชญากรรมในรูปแบบอื่น และส่งผลกระทบเลวร้ายต่อประชาชนบางกลุ่มที่ยากจนที่สุดในโลก

"การลักลอบล่าและค้าสัตว์ป่าเพิ่มสูงเป็นประวัติการณ์ เราหวังว่าการประชุมในครั้งนี้ จะเป็นจุดเริ่มต้นของโครงการริเริ่มสำคัญ เพื่อต่อสู้กับการค้าแห่งหายนะและความตายนี้"

เมื่อปีที่แล้ว มีแรด 668 ตัว ถูกสังหารในแอฟริกาใต้ ซึ่งมากเป็นประวัติการณ์ และนับตั้งแต่ปี 2556 เป็นต้นมา มีแรดตายไปเกือบ 300 ตัวแล้ว และเมื่อต้นเดือนนี้ มีช้างอย่างน้อย 26 ตัว ถูกสังหารหมู่ในพื้นที่ป่ามรดกโลก ในสาธารณรัฐแอฟริกากลาง หลังมีกลุ่มลักลอบล่าสัตว์ติดอาวุธปืนไรเฟิลคาลาชนิคอฟ เข้าไปในดาซังกา ไบ เขตอาศัยพิเศษของช้างซึ่งคนท้องถิ่นทราบกันว่าเป็น "หมู่บ้านช้าง"

การประชุมครั้งนี้ จะมีการวางกรอบการทำงานสำหรับการประชุมในระดับผู้นำรัฐที่จะมีขึ้นในช่วงฤดูใบไม้ร่วง ที่รัฐบาลสหราชอาณาจักรจะเป็นเจ้าภาพ ท่ามกลางความหวังว่ารัฐบาลประเทศต่างๆ ที่เข้าร่วมการประชุมในช่วงฤดูใบไม้ร่วง จะมีมาตรการที่จะช่วยลดความต้องการสัตว์ที่ใกล้จะสูญพันธุ์ และผลิตภัณฑ์ที่เกี่ยวข้อง, ปรับปรุงการบังคับใช้กฏหมายและความยุติธรรมทางอาญาในระดับโลก ต่อเครือข่ายองค์กรที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการลอบค้าสัตว์ป่า ไปจนถึงการให้ความช่วยเหลือชุมชนห่างไกลในการการหาทางเลือกเพื่อเลี้ยงชีพในระยะยาว แทนการค้าสัตว์ป่า โอเวน ปีเตอร์สัน รัฐมนตรีสิ่งแวดล้อมกล่าว

"เป็นการง่ายเกินไปที่จะคิดว่า การสูญพันธุ์ของสัตว์นั้นเป็นเรื่องที่ผ่านไปแล้ว ทั้งที่มันเป็นปัญหาสำคัญในทุกวันนี้ นี่เป็นเหตุผลที่ทำให้ผมรู้สึกยินดีเป็นอย่างยิ่ง ที่ได้รับพระกรุณาธิคุณจากเจ้าชายแห่งเวลส์ให้เป็นประธานร่วมในการประชุมว่าด้วยการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่านี่เป็นโอกาสดียิ่งที่จะหยิบยกปัญหานี้สู่ระดับสูงสุดระหว่างประเทศการร่วมมือกันจะช่วยทำให้เราลดความต้องการทั่วโลกที่มีต่อสัตว์ป่าที่ใกล้สูญพันธุ์และผลิตภัณฑ์ที่เกี่ยวข้อง และช่วยเหลือชุมชนต่างๆหาทางเลือกทางรอดอื่น แทนการค้าสัตว์ป่า"
ระหว่างเตรียมการประชุม WWF พร้อมด้วยพันธมิตรอื่นๆ ได้ร่วมทำงานกับหน่วยงานความยั่งยืนระหว่างประเทศของสมเด็จเจ้าฟ้าชายชาร์ลส์ และกรมสิ่งแวดล้อม อาหารและชนบท หรือ Defra เพื่อแบ่งปันความรู้ ความเชี่ยวชาญด้านการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่าหายาก และความเป็นไปได้ในการแก้ไขวิกฤตอาชญากรรมต่อสัตว์ป่าระดับโลกในปัจจุบัน

ในช่วงฤดูร้อนปี 2555 WWF และ TRAFFIC เปิดตัวแคมเปญการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่าระดับโลก เพื่อยกระดับปัญหาการลักลอบค้าสัตว์ป่าให้เป็นอาชญากรรมขั้นร้ายแรง และเพื่อกระตุ้นรัฐบาลและสถาบันระหว่างประเทศอื่นๆ ให้แก้ไขปัญหานี้ เป็นต้น

สามารถหาข้อมูลเพิ่มเติมได้ที่wwf.org.uk/endwildlifecrime ส่วนแฮทช์แท็กทวิตเตอร์อย่างเป็นทางการของงานที่จะมีขึ้นในวันที่ 21 พฤษภาคม 2556 คือ#endwildlifecrime

Total to keep out of Virunga World Heritage Site

2013-05-17

Addressing investors in Paris today, Total Chairman and CEO Christophe de Margerie affirmed that the company will not explore for oil within the boundaries of Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Responding to questions posed by conservation group WWF, de Margerie told the annual shareholder meeting that Total is making a "commitment to respect the current limits" of the park, which is Africa's oldest World Heritage Site.

"We welcome Total's clear and comprehensive assurance that no oil exploration or exploitation activities will be conducted by the company within Virunga National Park. We urge British oil exploration company Soco International PLC immediately to stop all activities in the park and to make a similar commitment," said Lasse Gustavsson, Executive Director of Conservation at WWF International.

"Virunga National Park has been recognized by UNESCO and the DRC government as a place of outstanding natural value, and we will continue to fight to preserve it for the people that depend on it for their sustainable livelihoods. This is our line in the sand. Oil exploration in Virunga National Park is simply unacceptable," Gustavsson said.

WWF presses Total for protection of World Heritage Sites

2013-05-16

WWF today has issued an open letter to investors in French oil giant Total expressing concerns over the company's ongoing activities on the edge of a prized national park in Africa. The conservation group is calling for assurances from Total that it will keep out of Democratic Republic of the Congo's Virunga National Park.

WWF believes that the area currently covered by Africa's first national park and the continent's oldest World Heritage Site is a 'no go' zone for oil exploration. The organization fears that possible future changes to park boundaries could open a loop hole that would allow for drilling in sensitive habitats, which would endanger wildlife and local livelihoods.

"At its annual general meeting, Total has a unique opportunity to live up to the expectations of our fellow citizens and some of its shareholders and financial partners," said WWF-France's J.B. Roelens. "By making a public commitment never to operate within the current boundaries of Virunga National Park, nor any other UNESCO World Heritage Site, Total could make May 17th a landmark date in corporate social and environmental responsibility."

An opinion poll conducted by an independent surveyor this month on behalf of WWF has revealed significant public support for protection of World Heritage Sites from oil and gas extraction. Fully 8 out of 10 French citizens say they would "very much" like French companies to promise not to exploit such places. Even more think that the financial partners of these companies bear some of the responsibility for the environmental impact of exploiting these hydrocarbon deposits. Similarly, 80 per cent of the French declare that they would be more likely to buy petrol or heating oil from an oil company if it promised never to engage in oil or gas extraction in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

WWF message to Total investors in advance of tomorrow's meeting is that the risks inherent in exploration activities could compromise the integrity of Virunga National Park. WWF is seeking a clear and comprehensive guarantee by Total that this exceptional natural place and all other World Heritage Sites will remain forever untouched by the company.

WWF tool measures cumulative impact of hydropower, mining projects in Amazon

2013-05-16

Brasilia — WWF is calling for a widely shared, common vision for Amazonian river basins that are the site of large-scale mining and hydropower projects.

"There should be a qualified debate in the national sphere regarding what kind of Amazon we wish to preserve in the future. That means defining which rivers are to be preserved before the accumulated effects of the innumerable hydroelectric and mining projects – which so far have always been analysed individually – create environmental impacts that could be really disastrous," said Pedro Bara, leader of WWF's Living Amazon Initiative infrastructure strategy.

Bara presented WWF's ecological vision for the Tapajos river basin at an event in Foz de Iguaçu organised by Sustainable Planet and Editora Abril publishers on the theme of Business, Energy and Environment.

The vision is based on an analytical tool known as the Hydrological Information System and Amazon River Assessment (HIS-ARA). The tool integrates hydrological and ecological information to support development of regional ecosystem conservation strategies.

Bara said the overall objective is to mitigate conflicts and boost opportunities generated by projects that are decided on in a participatory and transparent manner, and are capable of contributing to a sustainable and prosperous future for the Tapajos basin.

Cumulative Impacts
HIS-ARA makes it feasible to identify critical areas for biodiversity and for the maintenance of connectivity among the rivers to ensure the integrity of the hydrological networks and the aquatic ecosystems. The same tool takes into consideration the functioning of the ecological systems and all the social and cultural territories in the entire river basin area.

In the specific case of the Tapajos River basin, which occupies 6 per cent of Brazilian territory and is highly relevant in scenic, cultural, ecological and hydropower terms, 42 hydroelectric plants of varying dimensions are planned. The so-called Tapajos Complex alone will consist of seven plants, two of which, the Sao Luiz and Jatoba dams, will be mega-installations. The damming of two more free-flowing rivers in the Amazon, the Tapajos River and the Jamanxim River, will flood an estimated 2,500 km2 of land and fragment ecologically, culturally and socially important ecosystems. Among the major social impacts, it will affect the Munduruku indigenous lands, home to more than 10,000 people.

"The application of science in the form of tools like HIS-ARA can support decision making and streamline the crucial dialogues associated with large-scale infrastructure projects," said WWF-Brazil CEO Maria Cecilia Wey de Brito.