Category: World Wildlife Fund

Source: World Wildlife Fund

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) today announces the recipient of the WWF Conservation Leadership Award, Charitie Ropati, a 22-year-old Indigenous scientist and environmental activist of Yup’ik and Samoan heritage. Ropati’s remarkable work in promoting Native American representation in STEM and holistic approaches to climate justice has earned her this prestigious recognition.

Charitie Ropati has made significant contributions to the conservation and education sectors through her tireless effort, and her work at Columbia University’s Griffin Lab extends far beyond the classroom. Ropati’s research delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and plant ecology in Alaska, exploring its significance in the context of cultural resilience. Her research not only advances our understanding of environmental challenges but also highlights the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge and traditions in the face of these challenges.

Upon receiving the WWF Conservation Leadership Award, Ropati expressed her gratitude: “I am deeply honored to receive this award from WWF. It is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of recognizing the intersection of environmental conservation and Indigenous education. Together, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive future for all.”

Additionally, she is the co-founder of lilnativegirlinSTEM, a dynamic network empowering Native women and girls in the sciences by facilitating resource sharing and creating opportunities. LilnativegirlinSTEM has coordinated workshops and dialogues exploring the Native experience in science. “I want to challenge young kids back in Alaska to think about what a scientist looks like. A scientist is a hunter. It’s someone who gathers berries, and someone who’s able to really understand the ecology in the tundra in Alaska, to survive in the Arctic,” Ropati said.

Additionally, she has been at the forefront of implementing an accurate and inclusive sub-curriculum of Indigenous peoples in Western teaching in Alaska. Her dedication to preserving Indigenous cultures and knowledge within the educational framework has been transformative, creating a lasting impact on students and educators alike. Ropati played a pivotal role in passing a groundbreaking policy at the Anchorage School District, allowing students to proudly wear their cultural regalia during graduation ceremonies. This policy, which she championed, remains in place today, ensuring that students can proudly celebrate their heritage.

The WWF Conservation Leadership Award, now in its fifth year, was established to honor individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to the conservation of our planet and the advancement of environmental education. Ropati joins a distinguished group of previous awardees, all of whom have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to a more sustainable and inclusive world. More about WWF’s Conservation Leadership Award here: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/wwf-conservation-leadership-award.

Photos for media found here.

Interviews available upon request.

About World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working for 60 years in nearly 100 countries to help people and nature thrive. With the support of 1.3 million members in the United States and more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment, and combat the climate crisis. Visit worldwildlife.org to learn more; follow @WWFNews on Twitter to keep up with the latest conservation news; and sign up for our newsletter and news alerts here.

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Thimphu, 16 September 2023 – The presence of 134 snow leopards has been confirmed in Bhutan by the National Snow Leopard Survey 2022-2023, supported by the Bhutan For Life project and WWF-Bhutan. This represents a 39.5% increase from the country’s first survey in 2016, when 96 individuals were counted.

Bhutan’s second national survey covered more than 9,000 km sq of snow leopard habitat across the northern alpine landscape of the country with 310 camera trap stations. It found an overall density of 1.34 snow leopards per 100 km sq, which was comparatively higher in the west than in central and eastern Bhutan. Snow leopards were also recorded in several new locations. With a vast expanse of suitable snow leopard habitat bordering India and China, the survey suggests Bhutan can serve as a source population for snow leopards in the region.

Speaking at the launch of the survey results, Karma Tshering, Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, said that while the survey results confirm Bhutan as a stronghold for snow leopards, “it is also a species in peril; the IUCN Red List designates the snow leopard as Vulnerable. Without protection, this magnificent species could face extinction in the near future.”

Found in twelve countries across Asia’s high mountains, snow leopards are threatened by habitat degradation, prey depletion, conflict with humans, poaching and climate change. The global population of snow leopards is declining, but the survey suggests conservation efforts in Bhutan to restore snow leopard habitat and combat poaching are having a positive impact. The snow leopard is listed as a protected species, and it is illegal to kill or harm them.

The National Snow Leopard Survey 2022-2023 was executed with funding support from the Bhutan For Life project, and WWF-Bhutan supported the surveyors with field gear. “The estimated 134 snow leopards is a remarkable 39.5% increase since the last population survey in 2016 and should serve as continued inspiration for protection of this elusive species,” said Dechen Dorji, Senior Director, Asia Wildlife, WWF-US. “Snow Leopards survival symbolize the majesty and importance of safeguarding the Himalayas – the water towers of Asia, in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The increase in snow leopard numbers demonstrates Bhutan’s strong commitment to global conservation and illustrates what can be achieved with visionary leaders, a network of interconnected protected habitats, and meaningful participation and stewardship of local communities.”

Snow leopards play a key role as a top predator and as an indicator of the health of their mountain habitat, but the increased population may add to pressures on herding communities. Snow leopards can prey on yak calves and so the report recommends establishing livestock insurance schemes and the provision of coral fencing. These actions and other initiatives, such as community-based wildlife tourism, can facilitate the co-existence of snow leopards and communities sharing the same landscape.

“The increase in snow leopard numbers is yet another milestone achievement for Bhutan’s conservation journey. It clearly demonstrates the government’s leadership and the conservation ethos of the highland communities.” Chimi Rinzin, Country Director for WWF-Bhutan, said. “WWF is fully cognizant of the challenges of increasing conflict, and we will strive towards addressing this issue to sustain the future of snow leopards while safeguarding the livelihoods of the herder communities”.

WWF believes the survey represents an important addition to our knowledge of snow leopards, a species which is difficult to study due to its elusive nature and the challenges of conducting surveys in the mountain terrain. This survey can help to bridge the knowledge gap and aid the development of better conservation strategies across the big cat’s range.

ABOUT WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF)

WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working in nearly 100 countries for over half a century to help people and nature thrive. With the support of more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat the climate crisis. Visit www.worldwildlife.org to learn more and keep up with the latest conservation news by following @WWFNews on Twitter and signing up for our newsletter and news alerts here.

Note to Editors

Please find photographs and video from the survey and the full report here. All images are copyright of the Department of Forests and Park Services, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan: ©DoFPS, MoENR Bhutan

• The survey was completed by over 70 rangers from the protected areas of Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, Jigme Dorji National Park, Wangchuck Centennial National Park, Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary, Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, and Divisional Forest Offices of Paro and Thimphu.
• Snow leopards were recorded in new locations such as Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary and low-elevation regions of the Divisional Forest Office, Thimphu.
• Other key observations from the survey were the evidence of habitat overlap between snow leopards and other large carnivores like tiger and common leopard, plus the recording of a new deer species to Bhutan, the White-lipped deer/Thorold’s deer (Cervus albirostris).
• The snow leopard is classed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and its numbers are decreasing.
• The Bhutan Foundation, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, WWF-Bhutan, and UNDP Bhutan are supporting various snow leopard conservation initiatives in Bhutan.

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Today, the UNFCCC released the synthesis report of the global stocktake technical dialogue. This latest report provides a high-level summary of key technical findings that illustrate how far off the world is from achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and provide guidance on what further action is needed to close these gaps. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Marcene Mitchell, senior vice president of climate change:

“Today we received another stark reminder that our work to address the climate crisis is not moving fast enough. We must use the learnings from this report to motivate us and accelerate our next steps. Hope is not lost. We have seen critical actions taken that are making a difference. We know what we can do, and we know what we must do next both in the United States and across the globe. 

“It is clear that we cannot continue business as usual. We need to transition away from fossil fuels and rapidly scale up renewable energy. Our future quality of life depends on our ability to build and support massive quantities of wind, solar, and geothermal energy while minimizing impacts to nature. We must face the reality that it is going to take a lot of challenging work – continued advancements in science and technology, strong political will, and actions from individuals, communities, businesses and governments if we expect to address the greatest global crisis of our time. We must pick up the pace and get on track to ensure a healthier, more just, and sustainable future.”

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Source: World Wildlife Fund

This week the “Zero Draft” of the UN Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution was released. In response, WWF issued the following statement from Erin Simon, Vice President and Head of Plastic Waste and Business:

“Ahead of the next round of treaty negotiations (INC3) in November, this draft signals welcomed progress in the process and provides a set of ambitious recommendations that, if implemented, would put us on a path to protect both human health and environmental health by finally putting an end to plastic pollution.

“While the draft also includes less ambitious options, if country negotiators can rally around a treaty objective that is rooted in securing positive outcomes for both people and nature, then real progress is still on the table.

“Later this fall, negotiators will have a choice and they must choose ambition. By placing strong emphasis on eliminating high-risk, single use products paired with mechanisms for prevention, reduction and effective recycling and reuse throughout the entire lifecycle of plastics, only then can we have any hope of seeing a future with no plastic in nature.”

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Source: World Wildlife Fund

In response to the Bureau of Land Mangement’s Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement regarding oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Steve MacLean, managing director, Arctic program:

“This is a monumental step in the right direction. We must continue to do all we can to permanently protect the Arctic Refuge from harmful oil and gas development. Science is warning us that fossil fuels need to stay in the ground, greenhouse gas emissions are now 50% higher than pre-industrial levels. We appreciate the Biden Administration’s ongoing efforts to support long-term protection of America’s Arctic: a vital ecosystem essential to the well-being of wildlife, communities and our entire planet.

“The refuge supports an extraordinary abundance of wildlife, from caribou to muskox to denning polar bears and is home to Indigenous communities whose ancient traditions are deeply rooted to the land and sea. The Porcupine Caribou Herd birth their calves here – a reliable source of sustenance for the Gwich’in and Inupiat people for thousands of years. Disturbances to the caribou’s habitat would be devastating to both wildlife and local communities.

“Unsustainable and risky development that will exacerbate climate change impacts is not the answer. Economic analysis also indicates that refuge leases are not profitable.

“Dependence on oil and gas revenue has to change. Instead of looking for additional lease opportunities, we should be looking for economically viable, alternative livelihood solutions that will support local communities and transition away from fossil fuels and new drilling.”

Source: World Wildlife Fund

(Vancouver, Canada) — WWF welcomes today’s adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) at the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The GBFF will help mobilize and accelerate investment in the conservation of wild species and ecosystems, whose health is under threat from wildfires, flooding, extreme weather, and human activity including urban sprawl.

“This is a major achievement that will assist developing countries with their commitment to halt and reverse the loss of nature by 2030,” said WWF International Senior Director of Global Policy and Advocacy Lin Li. “Having moved from a mandate in Montreal to a financially-backed reality in Vancouver in just eight months, the adoption of the GBFF is an initial step towards tackling the global biodiversity crisis. The world needs a robust GBFF to help to close the global biodiversity finance gap.”

WWF applauds Canada’s commitment of US$147 million (CAD$200 million), and the United Kingdom’s US$12 million (GBP$10 million) to capitalize the fund. Both countries have shown strong leadership with their financial support, which will bolster global efforts to preserve fragile ecosystems and protect endangered species for generations to come.

However, the GBFF cannot function until an additional $40M is pledged to match the $200M minimum required to establish the fund according to the World Bank requirement as trustee. WWF calls on all the countries, multilateral development banks, private sectors, financial institutions and philanthropists, to contribute immediately and significantly to the fund to make it fully operational and in time before the next CBD COP to help implement the ambitious targets set in Montreal.

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More information about today’s adoption of the GBFF is available from the GEF.

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Source: World Wildlife Fund

Many food companies have begun looking to their supply chains for help in reaching their own emissions targets, offering incentives to their suppliers and, in particular, the farms with which they do business. A new study by the Markets Institute at World Wildlife Fund provides a landscape analysis of the types of incentive programs implemented by more than 20 companies across the industry. With more than 70% percent of food-related GHG emissions stemming from agricultural practices, companies that have set ambitious climate targets are increasingly proposing programs designed to shift behavior on farms.

“Incentives at the Farm: How Companies Are Moving from Setting Climate Targets to Delivering on Them,” draws from interviews with more than 90 experts from corporations, industry associations, and civil society groups. The report describes the variety of tactics companies are employing to reach farm-relevant sustainability outcomes, including price premiums, financing, knowledge sharing, new products or markets, and contracting. The report does not endorse any specific tactics or companies, but rather provides a state-of-play analysis to guide others in similar efforts.

“Farmer-focused incentives are a necessary tool for shifting behavior at the source of most food-related greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dr. Emily Moberg, Director of Scope 3 Carbon Measurement and Mitigation, a co-author of the study for the Markets Institute at WWF. “With only seven harvests left in which to reach our 2030 climate goals, companies must deploy effective incentives and retire ineffective ones on a much broader, faster scale.”

The study highlights factors such as shareholder pressure and governments setting climate targets, which have increasingly incentivized companies to engage in climate mitigation tactics. More than 110 national governments have set climate targets, for example, and shareholders have been putting forth proposals for environmental disclosures and progress by publicly traded companies.

“Developing and deploying incentives to address Scope 3 GHG emissions is no small feat, especially for the food sector,” said Katherine Devine, Director of Business Case Development at the Markets Institute and a co-author of the study. “With regional differences, crop and farmer diversity, thousands of products in some supply chains, and other challenges, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. We need to learn faster to address climate change’s existing and growing impacts.”

For companies in the food sector, a substantial amount – often more than 90 percent – of their emissions are Scope 3, originating in their supply chains. For companies with ambitious climate targets, including limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C by 2030, the big question is how those targets will be achieved.

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Supporting Quotes:

“McCormick & Company has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. In the near-term, we have set goals aligned with the Paris Agreement and verified by the Science Based Target initiative which include a 42% reduction in our Scope 3 emissions by 2030. Like many companies with a global supply chain, our greatest opportunity is Scope 3 emissions, which account for over 90% of our carbon footprint. Since these emissions are not under McCormick’s direct control, it is imperative for us, and other companies, to work in partnership with our suppliers to address this challenge. By incentivizing them to participate, we can drive impact at scale in a targeted and efficient manner, benefitting all stakeholders including the planet we all share.”

–Michael Okoroafor, Chief Sustainability Officer, McCormick & Company

“We believe that farmers are the original stewards of the land, and as the stewardship needs of our industry evolve and we begin measuring and influencing Scope 3 emissions, farmers are being called on to do more. Truterra is honored to be involved in programs such as the Land Stewardship Project that recognize the need to provide incentives to farmers to help offset the costs and risks associated with the adoption of conservation practices.”

-Tom Ryan, President, Truterra, LLC

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Additional resources:

Note:

Inclusion in the paper does not indicate that WWF endorses a particular brand or its approach to communications about a sustainability program, or a recommendation of specific agricultural practices. The study was funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

The Markets Institute at WWF identifies global issues, trends, and tools around some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the production of food in the 21^st Century. Our goal is to increase the speed and scale of solutions to ensure the sustainability of our future food and soft commodities. For more information, go to marketsinstitute.org.

About WWF

WWF is one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, working in nearly 100 countries for over half a century to help people and nature thrive. With the support of more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment and combat the climate crisis. Visit http://www.worldwildlife.org to learn more, and keep up with the latest conservation news by following @WWFNews on Twitter and signing up for our newsletter and news alerts here.