Wwf strategic plan

Wwf strategic plan

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  A Roadmap fora Living Planet
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  “We have onlythis generation to get sustainability and the environment right. We all need to work together as never before to get there.” James P. Leape Director General, WWF International 1. Saving biodiversity 04 2. Reducing humanity’s Conserving the ecological footprint 08 Earth’s most 3. Tackling threats outstanding places 05 and drivers 10 Conserving some of 4. Pulling it all together 12 the Earth’s most important species 06 WWF’s global conservation framework 13 © Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon
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  Beautiful. Essential. Butthreatened. What do you see when you think of The diversity of life on Earth is not simply Millions of people are already feeling the nature? A rainforest of towering green, something to marvel over – it’s also vital consequences. Around the word, in rich inhabited by whooping monkeys, for our own health and livelihoods. Plants, and poor countries alike, people are facing flamboyant birds, and bustling beetles? animals, fungi, and microorganisms form uncertainties over food security and water A vast savannah where lions stalk, giraffes a complex, interconnected web of availability, and increased vulnerability to browse, and elephants trumpet? A coral ecosystems and habitats that provides natural disasters and diseases. reef with darting fish, colourful starfish, our life support system. They give us and waving sea anemones? Or perhaps clean water, breathable air, food, medicine, Things will get much worse if we keep your local pond, where dragonflies zip, energy, and more. We cannot easily going the same way. Under a ‘business- frogs croak, and reeds sway? survive without them. as-usual’ scenario, by 2050 people are predicted to be using twice as many There are countless other stunning There’s a problem though. People are natural resources than the Earth can examples – and all are unique to one already using nearly 30 per cent more replenish. If this happens, exhaustion planet. Ours. natural resources than the Earth can of natural resources and large-scale replenish and our activities are drastically ecosystem collapse become increasingly changing the planet’s climate. As a result, likely. ‘Business-as-usual’ will also lead biodiversity is under threat – and the life to dangerous climate change, further support system is starting to break down. threatening biodiversity as well as people. Left: African elephant, Etosha National Park, Namibia Below: Fynbos flowers, South Africa © Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon
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  02 The challenge The Earth is at a critical point where the decisions and actions taken by one species – ours – will determine the future of all life. In order to survive and prosper, we must urgently change our course towards a healthy planet where people and nature thrive in a stable environment, now and for generations to come. The only way to ensure this is to preserve biodiversity and lighten humanity’s impact on natural habitats – starting © Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon right now. Bengal tiger What will the future be? Two indicators developed by WWF clearly show the challenge The Ecological Footprint is a monitor of human demand on we face – the Living Planet Index and the Ecological Footprint. ecosystems (see page 8). Humanity’s ecological footprint has steadily increased over the past few decades, and since The Living Planet Index measures trends in biodiversity and is the late 1980s has exceeded the capacity of ecosystems to a monitor of ecosystem health. This index has fallen by about replenish natural resources. This is equivalent to a business 30 per cent since 1970, indicating that natural ecosystems are spending more than it earns – clearly not sustainable. being degraded at a rate unprecedented in human history.
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  03 WWF’s response WWF hasembarked on a It also taps into the enormous bold and innovative approach power we all have – as to achieve this enormous consumers, local community challenge in cooperation with members, landowners, our many diverse partners. politicians, policy makers, business and industry leaders, Our global conservation development and conservation framework is a science- workers, farmers, and fishers based plan, a detailed – to protect biodiversity and way forward for catalyzing steer the world towards change on a large scale. It sustainability. uniquely combines traditional conservation with work to This brochure outlines our address the global dynamics framework, and explains driving biodiversity loss and how we plan to achieve it in humanity’s unsustainable use cooperation with our many © Michel ROGGO / WWF-Canon of natural resources. It focuses vital partners. We invite you efforts on the most important to join us on our mission of places, species, and issues, building a future where people and integrates this work from live in harmony with nature – the local level to the global. a Living Planet. Flooded forest, Rio Negro, Brazil The choices we make now will decide the future. Whether we go on as usual – and see ecosystems collapse and the planet’s ability to support people crumble. Or whether we make bold changes to reverse the declining Living Planet Index and our growing ecological footprint – and live in sustainable societies in harmony with nature. For more information see WWF’s Living Planet Report 2008
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  04 / Savingbiodiversity 1. Saving biodiversity 2050 Biodiversity Goal By 2050, the integrity of the most outstanding natural places on Earth is conserved, contributing to a more secure and sustainable future for all WWF has two approaches for conserving biodiversity: conserving the Earth’s most outstanding places and conserving species that are particularly important for their habitat or for people. © Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon Strategically focusing efforts on these global priority places and species will also help conserve the many other species which share these habitats and/or are vulnerable to the same threats. Fishers on the Dzanga River, Central African Republic Haven’t lots of national parks been created already? Over the last 130 years, more than 100,000 protected areas Several long-term global threats also affect protected areas, (national parks, sanctuaries, reserves, and the like) have like climate change, continued conversion of natural habitat, been established. They cover around 12 per cent of the and over-extraction and diversion of water from rivers. Earth’s surface – an area larger than India and China put together. And there’s not always enough support from governments, development agencies, business and industry, and So why are the world’s natural places still under threat? sometimes local communities to ensure the long-term There are several reasons. success of protected areas. One is that many protected areas are not well managed. So while we’ve come a long way, there’s still more to do to Another is that many habitats are not well represented ensure that enough of our planet’s ecosystems and habitats in the current network of protected areas, such as marine are properly conserved. areas, marshes and swamps, mangroves, grasslands, and temperate forests. Less than 1 per cent of marine areas are protected, for example.
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  05 Conserving the Earth’smost outstanding places 2020 We are focusing efforts on 35 global n The most unique and diverse deserts: Biodiversity Goal - Places priority places around the world – Namib-Karoo-Kaokoveld Deserts, By 2020, biodiversity is terrestrial, freshwater, and marine Chihuahuan Desert protected and well managed in ecoregions scientifically identified as n The most diverse tropical grasslands, the world’s most outstanding either being home to irreplaceable and savannas and woodlands: central and natural places threatened biodiversity, or representing eastern Africa, central and eastern South an opportunity to conserve the largest America, North America We can conserve most of life and most intact representative of their n The tallest grasslands filled with the on Earth by conserving the ecosystem. They include: highest densities of tigers and rhinos: most exceptional ecosystems n The most intact remaining rainforests: Eastern Himalayas and habitats – places that are Amazon, Congo Basin, New Guinea n The most outstanding montane areas: particularly rich in biodiversity, n The most species-rich rainforests: Himalayas, Albertine Rift places with unique animals western Amazon, northwest South n The most diverse coral reefs: Coral and plants, places like no America Triangle, Great Barrier Reef, New other. n The richest places for rare endemic Caledonia, Fiji, East Africa plants and animals: New Caledonia, n The most productive seas: Arctic, Fiji, Vanuatu, South Africa, southwest Southern Oceans, West Africa Australia, Madagascar n The richest large river systems and the We will also continue to work in a limited world’s oldest river: Amazon, Orinoco, number of regional priority areas that are Congo, Mekong, Yangtze, and the New locally important and have a long history River in southeast USA of WWF conservation success: the Alps, Baltic, Gulf of California, Indus Delta, Mesoamerican Reef, and Yellow Sea. WWF global priority places 5 18 2 4 25 17 20 27 9 35 14 21 33 34 10 26 32 16 7 12 1 13 3 24 22 19 31 8 6 31 31 23 31 11 30 15 29 28 29 29 29 9. Chihuahuan Deserts & Freshwater 18. Lake Baikal 27. Southeastern Rivers and Streams 1. African Rift Lakes Region 10. Choco-Darien 19. Madagascar 28. Southern Chile 2. Altai-Sayan Montane Forests 11. Coastal East Africa 20. Mediterranean 29. Southern Ocean 3. Amazon Guianas 12. Congo Basin 21. Mekong Complex 30. Southwest Australia 4. Amur-Heilong 13. Coral Triangle 22. Miombo Woodlands 31. Southwest Pacific 5. Artic Seas & Associated Boreal/Tundra 14. Eastern Himalayas 23. Namib-Karoo-Kaokoveld 32. Sumatra 6. Atlantic Forests 15. Fynbos 24. New Guinea & Offshore Islands 33. West Africa Marine 7. Borneo 16. Galapagos 25. Northern Great Plains 34. Western Ghats 8. Cerrado-Pantanal 17. Greater Black Sea Basin 26. Orinoco River & Flooded Forests 35. Yangtze Basin Places shown are an illustrative guide to WWF’s priority places and do not imply definitive boundaries. Created July 2008 by Conservation Science Program. WWF-US
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  06 / Savingbiodiversity continued Conserving some of the Earth’s most important species 2020 Conservation efforts are also needed for bears, sharks, tunas, dolphins, porpoises Biodiversity Goal - Species threatened species whose survival cannot n Species that symbolize key global threats to By 2020, populations be guaranteed by conserving their habitat biodiversity: e.g., marine turtles, dolphins, porpoises, of the most ecologically, alone. WWF is focusing such efforts on sharks, and albatross (bycatch); polar bear (climate economically and culturally species that are of special importance – change); tigers, elephants, rhinos, marine turtles important species are either for their ecosystem (e.g., species (illegal wildlife trade) restored and thriving in forming a key element of the food chain, n Some of the world’s most-threatened large mammals: the wild species which help the stability or e.g., mountain gorilla, Cross River gorilla, snow regeneration of habitats, or species that leopard, Amur leopard, Javan rhino, Sumatran rhino, demonstrate broader conservation needs) Irrawaddy river dolphin, North Atlantic right whale or for people (e.g., species important for the n National emblems and global icons: e.g., tigers, giant health and livelihoods of local communities, pandas, elephants, gorillas, orangutans, whales, species exploited commercially, or species marine turtles, kangaroos that are important cultural icons). n Humankind’s closest relatives: great apes, especially the bonobo We have identified 36 such priority species n Species that are critical for the health, livelihoods, or species clusters, which fall into two and economic security of local communities: e.g., groups: flagship species and footprint- ginseng, Korean cedar pine, humphead wrasse impacted species. They include: n Species that form the basis of, and are threatened n Species which help ensure the long-term by, significant commercial activity and inadequately survival and health of many threatened regulated or unsustainable global trade: e.g., habitats and their associated species: threatened fish species like cod, tuna, salmon, and Right: African elephant, Kenya e.g., elephants, reef-building corals sturgeon; threatened hardwood timber species like Below: Coral reef, Fiji n Top predators: e.g., Asian big cats, polar bigleaf mahogany and ramin © Cat HOLLOWAT / WWF-Canon
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  07 © MartinHARVEY / WWF-Canon Priority species Why cactus and cod? Flagship species The plight of polar bears, great apes, pandas, and other large Provide a focus for raising awareness and stimulating mammals is generally well known, at least in industrialized action and funding for broader conservation efforts countries. They are often viewed as charismatic species, and n African elephant n Marine cetaceans form icons or symbols for a defined habitat or environmental n African great apes n Marine turtles cause. n African rhinos n Orangutans n Asian big cats n Polar bear But most people don’t stop to consider whether the fish they n Asian elephant n River dolphins eat, the ornamental plants they buy, or the herbal tea they drink n Asian rhinos n Threatened kangaroos comes from a threatened or endangered species, or whether n Giant panda taking it from the wild harmed its habitat or another species. Footprint-impacted species Most people also don’t realise just how many plants and Threatened primarily by overexploitation (e.g., unsustainable animals are harvested from the wild each year: it adds up hunting, fishing, or logging), either directly or through the to hundreds of millions from thousands of species. exploitation of another species n African teak n Ginseng Most of this trade is legal. But clearly, the huge numbers of n Alaskan pollock n Humphead wrasse plants and animals involved means this trade has the potential n Argali wild sheep n Korean cedar pine to be very damaging if it is not regulated to ensure it is kept n Asian tortoises n Pelagic sharks at sustainable levels. And illegal wildlife trade is a major threat and freshwater turtles n Ramin to many species so it is essential to put more effort into n Bigleaf mahogany n Reef sharks enforcement. n Cacti n Saiga antelope n Cod n Southern Ocean albatrosses So that’s why we’re also focusing on cacti and cod, and other n Corals n Sturgeon and paddlefish species impacted by exploitation – to make sure that these, n Cork oak n Swordfish and other bill-fish and all other species involved in wildlife trade, are harvested n East African cichlids n Tibetan antelope sustainably and in a way that doesn’t affect other species or n European n Tunas damage the wider ecosystem. and Pacific salmon
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  08 / Reducingecological footprint 2. Reducing humanity’s ecological footprint 2050 Footprint Goal By 2050, humanity’s global footprint stays within the Earth’s capacity to sustain life and the natural resources of our planet are shared equitably 2020 Footprint Goal By 2020, humanity’s global footprint falls below its 2000 level and continues its downward trend, specifically in the areas of: n Energy/carbon © Jo BENN / WWF -Canon n Commodities (crops, meat, fish and wood) n Water Artisanal pirogue with local fishers passing European trawler in their fishing grounds, Senegal Calculating humanity’s ecological footprint The ecological footprint is a way to monitor our impact on infrastructure. Leaving aside a 10 per cent allowance for natural habitats and ecosystems. It measures how much land wilderness and wildlife, this gives about 2 hectares for every and water is needed to provide the resources people use and man, woman, and child. to absorb all the waste we produce. The footprint of people in some countries is far less than this. For example, for every tonne of fish we consume, we need But in the industrialized world, it’s much higher. The footprint of 25 hectares of fishing grounds. For every cubic metre of timber, the average American is nearly 10 hectares, while that for the we need 1.3 hectares of forest. And for every tonne of CO2 we average EU citizen is around 6. The only way everyone could release by burning fossil fuels, we need 0.35 hectares of forest consume this high level of natural resources is if we had an to absorb it. extra two, three, or even four Earths. Clearly, we don’t. The Earth has about 12 billion hectares of bioproductive That’s why we need to find ways to maintain a high standard land and water – cropland, pasture, forest, fisheries, and of living while using far fewer natural resources – getting our land to build on – that can supply us with food, fibre (like footprint down to ‘One Planet Living’. wool and wood pulp), and timber; absorb our CO2 emissions; and provide space for houses, roads, factories, and other We are already using nearly 30 per cent more natural resources than the Earth can replenish and releasing far more CO2 into the atmosphere than ecosystems can immediately reabsorb – leading to degraded ecosystems and the very real possibility of dangerous climate change.
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  09 People have changedthe Earth’s WWF is therefore working to reduce It’s not about turning back the clock for ecosystems more rapidly and extensively humanity’s ecological footprint – the how we live or preventing countries or in the past 50 years than in any other amount of land and natural resources communities from developing. Instead, period of human history. These changes needed to supply our food, water, fibre, it is about implementing new ways of have already degraded almost two-thirds and timber and to absorb our CO2 growing crops, managing fisheries and of the ecosystems on which we depend emissions. We are specifically focusing forests, generating energy, and dealing for everything from food to building on six footprint areas that we believe with waste. The aim is that everyone lives materials, and caused the irreversible need addressing most urgently: within the Earth’s capacity to sustain loss of many habitats and species. n Carbon people and nature, and has equitable n Cropland (for food, fibre, access to, and use of, natural resources. The main drivers of this are our huge and biofuel crops) population increase over this time n Grazing land and, with it, our vastly increased use n Fishing of land and natural resources. We are n Forest (for timber, paper, pulp, already using nearly 30 per cent more and fuel wood) natural resources than the Earth can n Water replenish and releasing far more CO2 into the atmosphere than ecosystems can immediately reabsorb – leading to degraded ecosystems and the very real possibility of dangerous climate change. And both our population and our consumption continue to grow. Already a reality It might seem impossible to reduce the huge footprint of industrialized countries without sacrificing the comforts and advantages of a modern, mobile lifestyle. But this is not the case. One London housing development has halved the ecological footprint of an average Londoner – and the people living there didn’t need to change a thing. The homes were built with reclaimed steel and timber from responsibly managed forests. They are also energy efficient, needing only 10 per cent of the heating of regular houses. Rainwater is harvested and sewage water is recycled. Hot water and electricity are provided by solar panels and an onsite combined heat and power plant running on tree surgery waste. It doesn’t stop there. Residential, business, and tourist developments in Europe, North America, China and South Africa – and even the London 2012 Olympics and a whole new city in Abu Dhabi – have similarly embraced WWF’s One Planet Living concept for a more sustainable future. © KLEIN & HUBERT / WWF Solar power station, Australia
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  10 / Tacklingdrivers 3. Tackling threats and drivers WWF’s priority places and species face a range of direct and indirect threats. These include clearing of land for agriculture, building of roads and houses, introduction of invasive species, mass tourism, wildlife trade, pollution, and climate change. Our conservation work addresses these threats directly. However, this is not enough to conserve biodiversity and reduce humanity’s ecological footprint. We also need to tackle the drivers behind these threats – the social, economic, and political reasons why these threats exist in the first place. There are many such drivers, and they are complex and interlinked. However, © John E. NEWBY / WWF-Canon five are particularly relevant at the global level to natural resource overexploitation, pollution, and climate change – and hence to WWF’s twin goals of conserving biodiversity and reducing humanity’s ecological footprint. WWF Game Guard, Namibia How drivers work It’s easy to see how, for example, a huge tourism resort could threaten an as yet undeveloped coastline, or how poaching is a threat to tigers. WWF and many other groups have had much success in conserving particular places and species by fighting inappropriate and even illegal developments and activities such as these. But to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation and sustainable footprints, we need to go to the root of the threat: the factors that currently favour or allow damaging or unsustainable activities. In the case of the resort, for example, is the local or national government prioritizing short-term economic development at the expense of long-term, sustainable development? Will tomorrow’s tourists prefer mass tourism over more eco-friendly options? Are investors supporting the resort for short-term profits? Are national laws not strong enough to protect important natural areas? Do tour operators not have adequate © Martin HARVEY / WWF-Canon standards to ensure their activities are not damaging the environment? These are the ultimate drivers which need to be addressed so that developments and activities are routinely carried out in a sustainable manner in appropriate places – and we no longer need to fight individual battles.
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  11 These global prioritydrivers are: n Public sector finance: Funding to n Business practices: The standards, n Consumption choices & beliefs and environmental and development issues guidelines, and ethics of businesses attitudes towards nature: For example that is under governmental control, e.g., working in sectors that affect the whether people choose sustainably through government budgets, multilateral environment, such as agriculture, sourced products, environmentally friendly banks, national and regional development fisheries, timber, pulp and paper, transport options, and green energy; the banks, international aid, subsidy and water, mining, and energy. Without effect of cultural food preferences on the sector support. Such funding influences environmentally-appropriate standards, environment; the way people treat natural where and how resources are committed businesses and industries working places; and attitudes to human-wildlife and the degree to which environmental in these sectors are likely to increase conflict. concerns are considered. biodiversity loss and humanity’s ecological footprint. By understanding and engaging with the n Private sector finance: Funding to key actors – organizations, businesses, environmental and development issues n Laws and regulations: National communities, and individuals – behind that is under private control, e.g., and international laws, policies, and these drivers, we will be able to better through private banks, superannuation frameworks relating to, e.g., water, target our strategies and actions, our funds, insurance funds, and investors wildlife, forestry, fisheries, land use, investment, and our expertise. Constant in business and industry. Such funding poverty, development, agriculture, analysis of the global priority drivers will influences development, business and energy, and CO2 emissions. Such laws, also help us to anticipate future trends industry, technology transfer, and a range policies, and frameworks have a great and changes, and so enable us to be of other sectors that can have an adverse deal of influence on the chance of proactive. environmental impact. conservation success. White rhinoceros, Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
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  12 4. Pulling itall together Identifying priority places, species, footprint areas, and global drivers is relatively easy – the hard, and most important, part is achieving concrete results. But with our partners – you – we can do it. Building on half a century of experience and with an impressive track record around the world1 – ranging from on- the-ground conservation to high-level international policy and private sector engagement – WWF has the unique ability to drive large-scale changes from the local level to the global. © Elizabeth KEMF / WWF-Canon Working in a worldwide network covering over 100 countries, dedicated, passionate people are taking a science-based, collaborative approach to implement our global conservation framework. We are tackling specific threats to priority places, species, and footprint areas, and integrating this with systematic work to address the global priority drivers. We routinely monitor and measure our Young boy, Serepok River, Vietnam progress to make sure we’re on track and to adapt our approaches as necessary. And we are bound by an overarching set of guiding principles that ensures our work WWF’s guiding principles is ethical and transparent. We will: We also have tremendous help. Our equally dedicated, passionate partners n be global, independent, multicultural and non-party include local governments, national political governments, international conventions, n use the best available scientific information to address other conservation groups, development groups, scientists, businesses, industry, issues and critically evaluate all our endeavours investment banks, farmers, fishers, n seek dialogue and avoid unnecessary confrontation foresters, indigenous people, local n build concrete conservation solutions through a communities, park managers, landowners, and consumers. Everyone, in fact, who combination of field-based projects, policy initiatives, has a stake in the health of our planet. capacity building, and education work n involve local communities and indigenous peoples Together we are developing and implementing innovative, lasting solutions in the planning and execution of field programmes, for conserving biodiversity and reducing respecting their cultural as well as economic needs humanity’s ecological footprint. Together n strive to build partnerships with other organizations, we are building a future in which people live in harmony with nature. governments, business, and local communities to enhance our effectiveness n run our operations in a cost effective manner and Together we are working apply donors’ funds according to the highest for a Living Planet. standards of accountability. 1 see WWF: Building a Sustainable Future
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  Call to action/ 13 WWF’s global conservation framework Challenge Conserve biodiversity Reduce humanity’s global footprint Focus 35 priority places efforts 36 priority species 6 priority footprint areas Threats Drivers behind Tackle Agriculture threats both drivers Wildlife trade Urbanization Public sector finance Private sector finance and threats Energy production Business practices Infrastructure Laws Climate change Consumption choices Pollution By 2020 Biodiversity is protected and well-managed in the world’s most outstanding natural places Populations of the most ecologically, economically and culturally important species are restored and thriving in the wild Humanity’s global footprint falls below its 2000 level and continues its downward trend, specifically in the areas of energy/carbon, commodities (crops, meat, fish and wood), and water By 2050 The integrity of the most outstanding natural places on Earth is conserved, contributing to a more secure and sustainable future for all Humanity’s global footprint is within the Earth’s capacity to sustain life and natural resources are shared equitably Forever People living in harmony with nature
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  WWF’s mission isto stop the degradation of the © WWF International 2008 The geographical designations given planet’s natural environment and to build a future here do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: WWF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. n conserving the world’s biological diversity Cover credits ©: Aerial view of flooded forest, Rio Negro, Brazil. Michel ROGGO n ensuring that the use of renewable natural / WWF-Canon. Polar bear, Norway. Wim VAN PASSEL / WWF-Canon resources is sustainable Prepared and edited by Emma Duncan Designed by millerdesign.co.uk n promoting the reduction of pollution and Printed on FSC Revive 75 silk wasteful consumption. WWF International, Avenue du Mont-Blanc, 1196 Gland, Switzerland Tel. + 41 22 364 9111 Fax + 41 22 364 8836 www.panda.org © 1986 Panda symbol WWF – World Wide Fund For Nature (Also known as World Wildlife Fund in the USA and Canada) ® ‘WWF’ & ‘Living Planet’ are WWF Registered Trademarks We need your help! WWF’s conservation framework shows the way forward – but we can only get there with continued help and support from donors, local communities, governments, NGO partners, businesses, scientists, aid agencies, fisheries and forestry organizations, consumer groups, and other essential partners. Find out how you can work with us: www.panda.org