WWF-Russia 2014 Compilation: Julia Kalinicheva When fully or partly quoting this report, reference to WWF is necessary Editing of the Russian version: Lyudmila Lyagushkina Using photographs from this report is not permitted without written consent from WWF-Russia Translation and editing of the English version: Yulia Kuleshova, Philip Johnson © May 2015 WWF-Russia. All rights reserved Photo on the first cover: Design: Denis Kopeykin © Alexey Pankov / WWF-Russia May 2015, WWF-Russia, Moscow Distribution is free CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...... 3

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ...... 4 New leopard addition ...... 5 Ecologists estimate the polar bear population on Vaigach Island ...... 6 Oil companies will contribute to the conservation of the walrus ...... 7 We know leopards “personally” ...... 8 Partnership for Nature ...... 9 Russian business is helping snow leopard ...... 10 Mountain sheep have been counted ...... 11 Tiger comes back ...... 12

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY ...... 13 Sustainable forest management ...... 14 Certificates for the forests ...... 15 Five million trees in Russia ...... 16 High value forests in the Russian Far East received more protection ...... 17

SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ...... 18 Plan to combat Illegal fishing has been approved ...... 19 Serious confrontation on Bolshaya River ...... 20 Drift net fishing will be put to an end ...... 21 Cod and haddock granted “protection documents” ...... 22 Streamers rescue endangered birds ...... 23

CLIMATE AND ENERGY ...... 24 All emissions will have to be reported ...... 25

GREEN ECONOMY ...... 27 A dangerous project has been suspended ...... 28 How can we save the Arctic inhabitants? ...... 29 Which region is richer? ...... 30 WWF assessed the responsibility of oil and gas companies ...... 32 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION ...... 33 Environmentalists prevented the abolishment of the state environmental review . . . . . 34 Amendments to the Criminal Code of Russia came into effect ...... 35 Your active position saved Russian nature reserves ...... 36 Integrated natural resource management will contribute to the conservation of marine ecosystems ...... 37

COLLABORATION FOR NATURE ...... 39 Reduction of ecological footprint through more efficient use of resources and energy ...... 41 Encouraging environmentally-responsible business practices ...... 41 Communications and awareness-raising activities ...... 41 Philanthropic relationships ...... 41 Our largest corporate partnerships ...... 42

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ...... 47 Internet charity shop ...... 48 SMS-campaign: helping has become easier! ...... 49 Important people for the living planet ...... 49 WWF supporters get together ...... 49 Travelling under the WWF flag ...... 50 Taking part in projects and expeditions ...... 50 WWF-Russia jubilee at Muraviev-Apostols mansion ...... 51 Charity event with Nikolai Drozdov ...... 52 Aid for tigers arrived in time ...... 52 What we will remember of 2014 ...... 53

WWF ON AIR ...... 54 Earth Hour – 2014 ...... 56 WWF: 20 years in Russia ...... 56 Text messages will help to study pinnipeds ...... 57 Vote with your fork! ...... 57 For the benefit of people and nature ...... 58 To know in order to protect ...... 59 Celebration that became a tradition ...... 59

FINANCES OF WWF-RUSSIA IN 2014 ...... 60 Introduction © MARINA KHRAPOVA / WWF-RUSSIA / KHRAPOVA MARINA © Dear Friends, The year 2014 was a very special one for us – WWF-Russia celebrated its 20th anniversary. Over these past 20 years and together with you, our supporters, like-minders, colleagues and friends, we have achieved a lot. Thanks to your support we implemented more than 300 field projects in 47 regions of Russia and invested over 3 billion roubles into nature conservation. During this anniversary year, a number of events important to Russian nature took place. Three more leopard cubs were born at the Persian Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre in Sochi National Park. This Centre is now home to 13 animals, including eight cubs. The cubs are destined to become the founding members of a population of wild leopard in the Russian Caucasus. The new amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation that came into effect in 2014 significantly toughened the penalties for illegal hunting and trading in endangered species. Poachers were sentenced to imprisonment and serious fines for shooting Amur tiger and polar bear. WWF, together with the Global Footprint Network, calculated for the first time the ecological footprint and biocapacity of Russian regions. Russia is among the few nations that, with careful management of its resources, can securely maintain its biocapacity reserves for decades to come. In 2014, the Government of Russia approved a National Plan to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing aimed at eradicating poaching in the fisheries sector. Mongolian oak and Manchurian ash were listed in Annex III of CITES (Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species). Timber from these valuable species may only be exported after an additional procedure to confirm the legality of the timber has been carried out. These are just a few examples of what can be done by either WWF experts actively participating with others or by them working on their own. The outcome of our work in 2014 is covered in more detail in the pages of this report. We express sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who has followed our actions and successes with interest and attention and helped to overcome barriers and to everyone who has given their voices in support of our initiatives and donated funds to our projects. Without your help we could not have achieved such significant results. Many, many thanks to you all!

Victoria Elias Conservation Director, WWF-Russia

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 3 © VASILIY SOLKIN / ZOV TAIGI / WWF-RUSSIA / TAIGI ZOV / SOLKIN VASILIY © BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION~ New leopard addition

Did you know? Years ago, the Persian leopard was very common in the Russian Caucasus. In the late-19th and early-20th centuries, however, the conflict between humans and the leopard dramatically increased and the animals were permitted to be killed all year round and by any means. Ungulates, the big cat’s main prey, were severely hunted as well. Despite the creation of the Caucasian Nature Reserve in 1924, massive poaching lasted through the 1920s and 30s, not to mention during the Second World War. All this resulted in the fact that it is virtually impossible nowadays to encounter a leopard in the Northern Caucasus.

Facts of the matter In 2007, WWF, together with the Russian Academy of Sciences, developed a Persian leopard reintroduction programme in the Caucasus. In 2008, initiated and supported by WWF, the Persian Leopard Breeding and Rehabilitation Centre opened its doors in Sochi National Park. Since it was first opened, WWF-Russia organised the translocation of six leopards from Turkmenistan, Iran and Portugal and provided continuous methodical and technical support. In 2013, the first cubs were born to two parental pairs formed at the Centre. The Persian leopard reintroduction programme in the Caucasus is undertaken by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in partnership with Sochi National Park, Kavkazsky Nature Reserve, the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, WWF-Russia, Moscow Zoo and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

© MINPRIRODY OF RUSSIA OF MINPRIRODY © In 2014, three more cubs What has been achieved? were born at the Persian Leopard Breeding and © MARINA KHRAPOVA / WWF-RUSSIA / KHRAPOVA MARINA © Rehabilitation Centre and now it is home to 13 animals including eight cubs. These cubs are destined to become the founding members of a population of wild leopard in the Russian Caucasus. The young Victoria Elias, leopards not only require Biodiversity Conservation director food and care, but also of WWF-Russia: special enclosures that “The Persian leopard imitate natural landscapes in order to help develop their skills and strength. reintroduction programme in the Russian Caucasus is International experts assessed the condition of the young leopards and gave progressing successfully. Let’s recommendations on their release into the wild. Two older cubs which have hope the Caucasian Nature learned the skills of independent life are planned to be released into the Reserve will soon become home Caucasian Nature Reserve in the spring of 2015. Meanwhile, nature reserve for a self-sustaining population of this predator. Furthermore, staff are busy preparing the territory for their long-awaited guests by our experience in the Caucasus providing additional food for the ungulates and maintaining their numbers can be used in helping to raise at a required level. the number of the Amur leopard population.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 5 Ecologists estimate BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION the polar bear population on Vaigach Island

Did you know? The lives of polar bears strongly depend on sea ice, largely because they hunt seals on the ice. Due to global climate change, the area of perennial ice in the Arctic is shrinking rapidly giving way to large expanses of open water during summer. It is therefore becoming increasingly difficult for polar bears to find a suitable habitat and more and more often these predators have to remain on the mainland where obtaining food is extremely hard.

The size of the polar bear population in the south-eastern Barents Sea is still Facts of the matter unknown. Meanwhile, in addition to changes caused in this area by global climate change, especially in the © OLEG SUTKAITIS / WWF-RUSSIA / SUTKAITIS OLEG © waters around Vaigach Island in the Nenets Autonomous Region, the human pressure on ecosystems is likely to grow considerably. Primarily, this is related to the increasing amounts of oil and gas being transported by sea. Experts from WWF and the Council for Marine Mammals set off on an expedition to Vaigach Island to assess the state and size of the island’s polar bear population. The mission had three objectives: to find bears, to take samples of their fur for DNA testing in order to identify genetic links between different populations and to obtain an idea of their distribution.

What has been achieved? Over the four-day-long mission in April 2014, the experts searched an area of 30,000 square kilometres of sea ice. It was found that in general the number of polar bears is not high. However, in some areas during just one hour-long flight, up to ten animals could be seen, this being a relatively high number. On the island, expedition members © VIKTOR NIKIFOROV / WWF-RUSSIA / NIKIFOROV VIKTOR © interviewed local residents on their sightings of polar bears, possible reports of illegal hunting and the most likely locations of polar bear dens. During the expedition, it transpired that the island is an important stopover along the polar bear migration route. The data collected during the mission will help to strengthen protection efforts for this species. The diary on the Arctic expedition to Vaigach Island is available on WWF- Russia’s official page in VKontakte social media, http://vk.com/wwf.russia.

6 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Oil companies will BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION contribute to the conservation of the walrus

Did you know? Walruses make their rookeries on the coastal ice where they rest and breed. The area of Arctic ice is shrinking in both size and thickness which means that animals lose suitable sites for rookeries. Increasing rates of oil extraction in the Arctic pose another threat to walruses by raising the risk of oil spillages and worsening the environmental situation. Intensified human activities disturb and scare animals and push them into looking for new breeding sites.

Facts of the matter WWF is striving to build cooperation with oil and gas companies in order to lessen their impact on the Atlantic walrus and on the fragile arctic marine ecosystems.

What has been achieved? Encouraged by WWF, Yamal LNG developed its own Strategy for the Conservation of the Atlantic Walrus. For the first time in Russia, such a corporate environmental standard has been followed. By implementing this strategy, we expect that Yamal LNG will be able to protect the animals within the area of its operations and along the shipping routes. © ALEXEY EBEL / WWF-RUSSIA / EBEL © ALEXEY © WWF-RUSSIA ©

Margarita Pukhova, Coordinator of Marine Biodiversity Conservation Projects at WWF-Russia Barents Office: “The corporate standards of Yamal LNG are a very good example of corporate responsibility towards the conservation of endangered Alexander Tynkovan, species within the oil and gas member of the Golden Panda Club: sector. We appeal to other oil and gas companies working in the “WWF opened an interesting chapter in my life. Any businessperson gives a huge amount same area to join our efforts in of emotion and energy (sometimes all of them) to his or her work. However, our world researching and conserving the is so much wider and more fascinating than any business is, even if it is very big, and Atlantic walrus.” successful.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 7 We know leopards BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION ‘personally’

Did you know? Individual Amur leopards can be identified by the distinct pattern of spots on their skin. This can be done by comparing images taken with automatic camera traps that ‘capture’ all animals passing by. Using this method, staff members of Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve and researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences, together with experts from WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society, have been conducting annual photo-surveys at two sites over the last ten years.

Facts of the matter The traditional survey method of counting leopard using prints in the snow allows one to distinguish between the prints of male and female animals, while comparing photographic images enables one to identify individual animals. Monitoring of leopards using camera traps therefore became a crucial task. Considering that cameras can cover quite large areas, this is one of the most reliable methods for estimating the size of predator populations. © WWF-Russia / ISUNR / WWF-Russia © What has been achieved? Experts in the Land of Leopard National Park, together with research institutions and conservation NGOs including WWF, cover 90% of the Amur leopard range with photo surveying camera traps. The camera traps for the National Park

© LAND OF THE LEOPARD THE OF LAND © have been purchased by companies supporting WWF and by the Amur Leopard non-governmental organisation. Over several months, leopards and tigers have been monitored not only within the Land of Leopard National Park and its buffer zone but also in Poltavsky Wildlife Refuge where monitoring had not been conducted before. The project combined the Vassily Birulin, forces of the Primorsky Earth Keeper since 2006: Protected Areas Administration, Russian “Our nature is not a renewable resource. If a species Elena Salmanova, goes extinct, it won’t come back whether we want it Academy of Sciences, WWF, Deputy Head of the Joint to or not. One can’t eat money, contemplate tarmac Administration of Kedrovaya Institute of Sustainable Use and tend robots, but unfortunately many of us haven’t Pad Nature Reserve and Land of of Natural Resources and the realised that yet. I don’t want my children to see our Leopard National Park: Wildlife Conservation Society. world poorer than I saw it, but if possible, to see it “We are planning to make all the The photo-monitoring will more diverse. WWF helps my dream to come true. information we have collected help to obtain reliable data on Thank you so much for doing so.” available to the united database the state of Amur leopard and on endangered wildcats. Amur tiger populations and also on the interaction between these two species. Everyone who was involved in the monitoring will have access An unprecedented amount of data collected during the project were used to put to this database. We adapt the together individual ‘passports’ for a considerable proportion of the population data collected on each animal for of the Amur leopard, the world’s rarest wild cat. In 2014, the Land of Leopard the general public by creating National Park and WWF began a new joint project on video-monitoring. The individual ‘passports’ with photographs which are now footage was used to put together a film on the life of a large family of leopards available on the Land of Leopard called The Spotty Family. This film is available on YouTube (http://youtu.be/ National Park website.” ZbrosompXzE).

8 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Partnership BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION for Nature © YURI KISLYAK / WWF-RUSSIA KISLYAK / YURI © Facts of the matter Low living standards that exist in many regions in which WWF operates mean that people tend to earn their living by exploiting any possible source of income, including poaching and illegally trading in wildlife and plants. In order to protect natural ecosystems, it is important to raise the standard of living within local communities and to provide them with opportunities to earn a living by legal means.

What has been achieved? Since 2011, WWF and Citi Foundation have run a joint project that aims to reduce and prevent poaching by giving local communities an opportunity of generating income legally. Local communities have been given start-up grants to develop small nature- friendly businesses, such as eco-tourism, construction and maintenance of guest houses, production of crafts, etc. In 2013, the project was expanded into Kamchatka. In 2014, a total of 200 first-time entrepreneurs in remote areas of Altai and Kamchatka received financial support and advice. © WWF-RUSSIA © © WWF-RUSSIA © © WWF-RUSSIA ©

Sergey Rafanov, Alexander Bondarev, Head of WWF-Russia Head of WWF-Russia Altai-Sayan Kamchatka/Bering Ecoregional Ecoregional Office: Office: “In remote villages in the Altai we “In Kamchatka, with support demonstrate to local people that, of the Citi Foundation we help instead of pursuing traditional local businesses organise the livelihoods which often result in harvesting, processing and the overexploitation of natural marketing of wild plants based on resources, one can find an the principles of sustainable and alternative source of income. environmentally-responsible use The project is aimed at not just of natural resources. We create dealing with the disappearance jobs and demonstrate legal ways of rare wildlife species and plants to earn a living as opposed to but also at addressing its cause, poaching.” namely poverty in rural areas.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 9 Russian business BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION is helping snow leopard

Did you know? Snow leopards usually move along the same routes and trails, so making this wild cat very vulnerable. Animals can easily be caught by poachers using traps set up along the narrow trails.

Facts of the matter Approximately 60-70% of the snow leopard population within Russia is found in the Republics of Altai and Tyva and also in the southern tip of Krasnoyarsk Region. Due to rural poverty, the main threat to this wild cat is poaching, targeted both at the rare cat itself and at the ungulates which form its main prey.

What has been achieved? M.Video, a company that has been supporting WWF projects for over a decade, sponsored a project on the conservation of snow leopard in the Argut River valley in Altai Republic. During every month of the hunting season starting from December, snow leopard habitat has been patrolled by special anti-poaching teams. The teams’ objectives include not only finding and arresting poachers but also removing poaching traps and setting up new camera traps in order to monitor the snow leopard population. One of the most important pieces of evidence of the project’s success is the number of photographic images that have been taken of live animals. Another project objective is to provide alternative opportunities for local communities to earn their living, primarily through tourism and making souvenirs. © MIKHAIL PALTSYN / WWF-RUSSIA PALTSYN / MIKHAIL ©

Victoria Sinitsyna, Head of Charitable Projects, M.Video: “M.Video pays special attention to the conservation of nature. TYVA/ PARK NATURE WWF-RUSSIA © We are very glad our efforts are helping to combat poaching and to restore the snow leopard population in Russia.”

10 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Mountain sheep BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION have been counted

Did you know? Altai mountain sheep (argali) and snow leopard are two symbols of the whole of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion. Within Russia, the argali is found in the Republics of Tyva and Altai on the border with Mongolia where it forms four sub-populations in the mountain ranges. The Russian Red List classifies argali as a near threatened subspecies at the northern extent of its range.

Facts of the matter Every two years, a large-scale count of the Altai population of argali takes place in both Russia and Mongolia. In 2012, experts counted approximately 2,000 animals with one-third of them occurring within Russia and two- thirds in Mongolia. During 2014, another planned survey took place.

What has been achieved? WWF has been funding argali conservation for many years. In 2014, a WWF- coordinated census was conducted in order to estimate the population size of this rare species. Experts from Altaisky Nature Reserve, Sailugemsky National Park and the regional environmental NGO Arkhar took part in the count. The key finding of the census is positive in that, during the previous two years, the population of Altai wild sheep found in areas along Russia- Mongolia border increased by 82%. The total number of animals counted was 3,450. This was the fifth census to be undertaken and it embraced thousands of square kilometres of Russian and Mongolian Altai. Only within just the Russian territory and over less than a month, 15 members of the counting team covered a distance of more than 800 kilometres, including 650 kilometres on foot. © IGOR IVANITSKIY IGOR ©

Sergey Spitsyn, leader of the argali survey team in Altai Republic: “Two years ago, we came across many traces of poaching activity, but since then the situation has improved significantly. We can now make a bold statement that the number of argali in the areas close to the Russia- Mongolia border has stabilised and is rising and that this is not a play of chance, but a result of many years of the tight-knit work by conservation NGOs and enthusiasts”.

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 11 Tiger BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION comes back © VIKTOR NIKIFOROV / WWF-RUSSIA / NIKIFOROV VIKTOR © Did you know? As late as the middle of the 20th Century, the Caspian tiger was found in riverine forests across all of Central Asia. During the 19th Century, however, while clearing land for cotton plantations, the tiger was persecuted through a fear of them attacking humans. Even now there are people living in this area who in the past have encountered the tiger in the wild. Symbolic images of the tiger can be found on both ancient mausoleums and modern-day constructions, for example on the sign at the entrance to the Ile-Balkhash region of Kazakhstan. Genetically, the Caspian subspecies of tiger does not differ from its Amur relative and its population can be restored through the reintroduction of tigers from the Russian Far East.

Fact of the matter Amongst all the countries of the Caspian tiger’s former range, Kazakhstan is the only country having an area sufficient in size for the restoration of a viable tiger population. During the World Tiger Conservation Forum in 2010, the Government of Kazakhstan confirmed its intention of embarking on the tiger reintroduction programme that was initiated by WWF and Kazakh ecologists.

What has been achieved? In 2014, WWF conducted a number of consultations on the draft programme for the restoration of the Caspian tiger in Kazakhstan along with Kazakh independent experts and government agencies and also international experts who made a considerable contribution to the finalisation of the programme. At present, this unique project is awaiting approval from the Government of Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, WWF is working with the local communities with the hope that the programme when it is implemented would help to improve

© WWF-RUSSIA © local livelihoods and to restore various components within the ecosystems. For example, we are trying to convince local livestock herders to stop burning reed beds that are in the way of their cattle getting to new grass. Wildfires generated by this practice result in forests being burnt along with their inhabitants, including ungulates, which will be the future prey for the tiger. As an alternative, WWF proposes mowing the reed beds and planting highly productive crops in order to feed their livestock. We are also looking into opportunities of establishing game reserves that would help raise the number and diversity of ungulates required for the tiger’s well-being. Development of eco-tourism and fishing is also very promising and will provide an alternative for local residents to earn their living other than poaching. Karim Massimov, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan: “The tiger has always been a symbolic animal in our culture and nature. The unique reintroduction programme has been widely discussed not only within Kazakhstan but also in other countries and has received very positive expert reviews. The tigers will be brought to Kazakhstan from the Far East, but not before they have a habitat sufficient in size, plenty of food and adequate protection and the risk of conflicts between animals and people has been minimised. The Government of Kazakhstan, together with the National Geographic Society and WWF, will do everything to make our country a good home for the tigers. However, to preserve what we have and to restore what we have lost is only possible if both social and economic development in our country is balanced together. This is the core idea of the concept of a green economy approved by our President. I wish every success to all of us in this inspiring project and invite you to support it.”

12 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 © GENNADY ALEXANDROV / WWF-RUSSIA / ALEXANDROV GENNADY © SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY~ Responsible SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY forest management

Did you know? Around a quarter of all forests in Russia are considered to be virgin or intact. They have never been commercially exploited, they have no roads, no clear-cuts or clearings for farmland or mining and they have not been affected by fires or other calamities caused by humans. Intact forests, together with protected areas and other categories of valuable forest ecosystems, are termed “high conservation value forests.”

Facts of the matter Between 2000 and 2013, the area of virgin forest in Russia dropped by 21 million hectares, or 7.5%. Due to commercial logging, forest fires and the prospecting, extraction and transportation of mineral resources, we lose on an average day 4,400 hectares of intact forest along with its diverse inhabitants which are sometimes rare and endemic.

What has been achieved? WWF-Russia drew up agreements on the protection of high conservation value forests in Arkhangelsk Region and in the south of the Russian Far East with 18 timber producers. According to these agreements, 883,000 hectares of forest leased by timber-producing companies are excluded from exploitation while logging within another 141,000 hectares is limited. This is a voluntary and conscientious step the timber producers have made towards the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources. © JULIA KALINICHEVA / WWF-RUSSIA WWF-RUSSIA / KALINICHEVA JULIA © Anna Bykova, member of Golden Panda Club “I have been following WWF’s work in Russia for the last few years and I can see its real outcomes. Our planet and its wildlife is at the mercy of people and the powers we possess. If we learn to live in harmony with nature, we would all only benefit from that.”

14 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Certificates SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY for the forests

Did you know? After Canada, Russia is the second-ranked country by the forest area certified by the international environmental and social standards (FSC). At present, these areas total 40 million hectares and are comparable in size to the combined area of Germany and Switzerland.

Facts of the matter The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) FSC-RUSSIA © is an international organisation that developed a system of assessment of environmentally-appropriate, socially- beneficial, and economically-viable forest management. FSC certificates are awarded to timber producers who take care of high conservation value forests, replant and restore forests after clear-cuts, use environmentally-sound technologies, provide social benefits for their employees, do not violate the rights of local communities and take into account public opinion when making decisions that affect people.

What has been achieved? In 2014, the area of forests managed in an environmentally- and socially- responsible manner grew by 1.2 million hectares. This is confirmed by the international FSC standards. In 2014, FSC certificates were given to the first timber producers in the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion. © ANNA POROKHOVA / WWF-RUSSIA / © POROKHOVA ANNA

Alexander Voropaev, Coordinator of Russian Association of Environmentally Responsible Timber Producers: “FSC certification in Russia has reached a stage where it can develop without WWF support. In the near future, we are therefore going to focus our efforts on improving its quality, ie. raising national certification standards, generating demand and developing the domestic market for FSC-certified products and also promoting the certification at the state level.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 15 Five million trees SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY in Russia © ALEXEY GRIBKOV / WWF-RUSSIA WWF-RUSSIA / GRIBKOV © ALEXEY Did you know? The Altay-Sayan Mountains are home to one of the largest tracts of mountain taiga in the world. By the richness of plant and animal diversity, this region is ahead of many other forest regions on the planet. The main threat to the Altai- Sayan taiga is the wildfires that every year destroy forest over large areas. Besides, up until now, some large areas of forest clear-cuts dating from the Soviet era have not yet been restored.

Facts of the matter Since 2010, WWF, in partnership with Yves Rocher, has been conducting a forest restoration project. The project was initiated in Arkhangelsk Region with the Republic of Altai joining in 2012 and Altai Region in 2014. In total, three million trees within an area of 780 hectares were planted in Arkhangelsk Region and Altai Republic between 2010 and 2013.

What has been achieved? In 2014, WWF and Yves Rocher expanded their forest restoration project into the central part of Altai Region. Up until now, over one million Scots pine, Siberian pine, Siberian spruce and Siberian larch trees were planted in order to restore forests that have been destroyed by wildfires and industrial logging during the Soviet period. In total, 650 hectares of forests will be restored in Altai Region and the Republic of Altai and the number of seedlings planted will amount to five million. © ALEXANDER BRYUKHANOV / WWF-RUSSIA WWF-RUSSIA / BRYUKHANOV © ALEXANDER

Alexander Bryukhanov, Forest Programme Coordinator at WWF-Russia Altai-Sayan Ecoregional office: “The restoration of forest ecosystems with high biodiversity brings benefits primarily to local residents in that people generate income both from being employed by the project (planting and tending of seedlings) and later on from harvesting mushrooms, berries, Siberian pine nuts and other non-timber forest products.”

16 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 High value forests SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY in the Russian Far East received more protection

Did you know? Korean pine-broadleaved forests in the south of the Russian Far East are very special due to the great diversity of their inhabitants. The principal ranges of the endangered Amur tiger and Amur leopard are located in this region and a number of game species are also found here. These ecosystems produce valuable medicinal plants and edible forest products, such as pine nuts. The productivity of these forests depends directly on the presence of their main species, namely Korean pine and Mongolian oak.

Facts of the matter WWF-RUSSIA © Over the last two decades, such valuable tree species as Korean pine, oak, ash, elm and lime, were extensively cut to meet the high demands of Asian markets. As a result, the stock of Korean pine, oak and ash in the commercially- logged forests became depleted and timber producers began to consider logging inside the intact Korean pine-broad-leaved forests which are very important for the conservation of biodiversity within the Amur tiger habitat.

What has been achieved? WWF-Russia conducted a thorough review of the situation with regard to illegal logging in the Ussuri taiga. Expert opinion was heard and an official decision was made to introduce restrictions on the export of valuable tree species. From © EVGENIY LEPESHKIN / WWF-RUSSIA / LEPESHKIN EVGENIY © Stanislav Kharchenko, the second half of member of the Golden Panda 2014, timber from Club: the Mongolian oak “I was very lucky to be born in one and Manchurian ash of the most beautiful places in our listed in Annex III of country, at the very heart of the CITES (Convention Sikhote-Alin Mountains in a little town surrounded by the Ussury taiga on for the International the Sea of Japan coast. The nature Trade in Endangered here is very diverse and unique. Species) may only Those who visit here always say so. be exported after an At present, however, nature in the Primorye needs help as it is being additional procedure threatened by frequent wildfires, to confirm the legality illegal logging and poaching. I can of the timber has see how much WWF does for nature been conducted. This export control mechanism needs to be improved to conservation in the Far East. I don’t avoid becoming an impediment to environmentally-responsible timber want to be apart from that and try to help where I can.” harvesting.

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 17 © HÉLÈNE PETIT / WWF / PETIT HÉLÈNE © SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES~

Ekaterina Borisova, member of the Golden Panda Club “I have always admired those people who are ready to give so much, sometimes even their very lives, to protect the ecological balance and biodiversity on our planet. I know that single-handedly and without financial support, the fight for conservation is often impossible. It is important for me that, thanks to WWF, I have an opportunity to help such people to implement conservation projects and I'm even more confident I've chosen the right path.” Plan to combat illegal SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES fishing has been approved

Did you know? Until recently, there was no definition in Russian legislation of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. However, national budget losses due to IUU fishing are estimated by experts to be up to three billion US$ per year.

What has been achieved? The Government of Russia approved a National Plan to combat IUU fishing. It took several years to formulate this document and WWF experts actively participated in that work. Our experts estimated the salmon and crab poaching in the Russian Far East and prepared a number of proposals that were included in the Plan, such as fishery satellite monitoring improvements, the introduction of a fishery observers’ institution, the use of onboard CCTV cameras, more strict port control measures, environmental certification of fisheries and many others. © VLADIMIR FILATKIN / WWF-RUSSIA / FILATKIN VLADIMIR © © MARINA KHRAPOVA / WWF-RUSSIA / KHRAPOVA MARINA ©

Konstantin Zgurovsky, Head of Sustainable Fisheries, WWF-Russia:

“Despite the fact that the approved version of the Plan has been significantly shortened compared to the original one, its approval will allow for more effective measures to eradicate illegal fishing. Responsible fish producers do realise that IUU fishing damages fish stocks and brings down market prices and we are ready to collaborate with these companies and government authorities to combat poaching in Russian seas.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 19 Serious confrontation SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES on Bolshaya River

Did you know? Every summer, a number of salmon species (humpback salmon, Siberian salmon, sock-eye salmon, Chinook and silver salmon) arrive in the Bolshaya River in Kamchatka to spawn. Due to transport accessibility, poaching here amounts to 30% of the total amount of salmon caught in this river basin. © YURI KISLYAK / WWF-RUSSIA KISLYAK / YURI © SHPILENOK TIKHON ©

Facts of the matter For three years in a row, volunteer rangers helped to enforce control over fishing in the Bolshaya River. WWF has been helping volunteers by providing them with necessary equipment. Every year, however, rangers face serious confrontation with poachers. Volunteers work around the clock, but poachers don’t sleep either. Using mobile networks, the poachers’ accomplices report on the whereabouts of ranger boats. For that reason, rangers are much less likely to catch poachers at the scene of the crime and to film them than to find evidence of their presence with such items as salt in bags, buckets for caviar, nets, boats and, occasionally, even large tracked vehicles.

What has been achieved? In 2014, volunteer rangers removed more than 60 illegal fishing nets, some longer than 70 metres in length. During patrols along the Bolshaya River and roads in Ust-Bolsheretsky District, the rangers confiscated approximately 2.5 tonnes Alexey Demidov, WWF supporter and Earth of illegally-harvested red caviar. Over a Keeper: tonne of ripped open fish which had been abandoned by the poachers was found “Fish are not as fun as pandas, or as loveable as cats and are along the banks of once one of the richest certainly not as devoted as salmon rivers in Kamchatka. dogs. However, the majority of people consider a diet without fish to be incomplete, and for many of us fish is the staple To allow the rangers to work more We need your support! diet during our entire lifetimes. effectively in 2015, we need to provide Thoughtless extermination puts them with a more powerful boat engine under threat the future of salmon and a sufficient amount of fuel and and the whole of the Kamchatka equipment. This will allow the area under ecosystem. Let’s support the volunteer rangers! Our children patrol to be expanded and the equipping must know that fish are not only of rangers at least up to the level of a well- to be found in aquariums. Not to kitted out poacher. mention the fact that fish have just as much right to live on our planet as we do!”

20 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Drift net fishing SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES will be put to an end

Did you know? Drift netting is a fishing technique that uses floating nets that are 30 metres wide and up to 12 metres high.

Facts of the matter Drifts nets are effectively multi-kilometre-long ‘walls of death’ that prevent salmon from travelling up rivers to spawn. Apart from the Pacific salmon they are designed to catch, such nets also catch and kill whales, dolphins and seals as well as marine birds such as the short-tailed albatross. This all leads to major shocks to already-disturbed marine ecosystems. Drift net fishing also prevents fish from approaching shores, causing damage not only to the environment but also to traditional near-shore fishing.

What has been achieved? In the spring of 2014, the Russian regulations on Pacific salmon fishing were changed. Drift net fishing has become illegal before 1st June each year – previously, it was allowed from 1st May. This change in seasonal limitations will give young Kamchatka Chinook salmon the chance to reach maturity and help protect those few remaining populations of wild Pacific salmon that spawn in spring. Despite an important step being made in combatting this barbaric fishing technique, WWF is looking for a complete ban on drift net fishing within Russia’s exclusive economic zone. This initiative is supported by several parliamentarians. In late-2014, members of the Council of Federation and State Duma tabled a draft law in the Lower Chamber of Parliament that proposes a full ban on commercial and coastal drift net fishing within salmon spawning migration routes. © SERGEY VAKHRIN SERGEY ©

Sergey Korostelev, Sustainable Fisheries Programme Coordinator at the WWF-Russia Kamchatka/Bering Ecoregional Office: “Drift net fishing has long been recognised to be ecologically damaging. Violations common in drift net fishing aggravate the situation even further and both the official statistics and the information provided by independent observers demonstrate very poor control over the fishing. The fishing boats either do not report at all on their by-catch, including sea birds and mammals, or they significantly understate these figures by an average of 11 fold.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 21 Cod and haddock granted SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES ‘protection documents’

Did you know? Over the last 25 years, the consumption of seafood in the world (both harvested in the wild and farmed) has doubled and amounted to 150 million tonnes a year. At the same time, the annual global catch is only 80 million tonnes. Neither expanding the global fishing fleet, nor exploiting new grounds, nor fishing new categories of marine products would help to increase this figure. According to the FAO’s (UN Food and Agricultural Organization) prognosis, if the fisheries that are pushed by the growing demand continue to overfish, then the world’s fish stocks would be exhausted by 2050.

Facts of the matter For a long time, WWF has been promoting the principles of sustainable fishing as a tool to prevent the degradation of marine ecosystems. In 2009, the first Russian fisheries were granted MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certificates. Together with the certificates, the fishermen receive an incentive for the conservation of marine ecosystems. The fish harvested by the certified companies corresponds to international standards of environmental responsibility.

What has been achieved? In 2014, two fisheries were granted MSC certificates of environmentally- responsible fishing. The companies, Vassily Spiridonov, Strelets and Eridan, together harvest Advisor to MSC in Russia: 10% of Russian cod and haddock in the Barents Sea, this being why WWF “Since the early-2000s and the first organisation in Russia to suggested that they apply for certificates. do so, WWF has been promoting Initiated by WWF, the fisheries purchased MSC certification. The first innovative trawling planks that do not certificates were granted in touch the sea bottom and which do not 2009 and nowadays a number of Russian fisheries meet the damage the bottom ecosystems. Another highest globally-recognised important achievement is that the chain environmental standards. The of custody of the seafood harvested by problem is that their produce is largely being exported, while the

© WILD WONDERS OF EUROPE /MAGNUS LUNDGREN / WWF the Karat Group was owners and top management granted the MSC of Russian retail companies certificate. Previously, do not realise the benefits of the MSC certified bringing their chain of custody products were almost up to standards and of MSC- branding their products. As a entirely exported to the result, only very few consumers west, while nowadays in Russia are aware of the poor they can be found on state of global fishing stocks and sale in Karat Group of environmentally-responsible fishing. To raise this awareness, retail shops in Moscow restaurants, hotels and food and Murmansk and, stores must purchase MSC- in the near future, in certified seafood and sell it with St. Petersburg. MSC eco-branding.”

22 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Streamers SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES rescue endangered birds

Did you know? Up to 20,000 birds die every year in the Russian Far East longline fishery after being caught by baited hooks. To scare birds away from the fishing device in order to save their lives and to make the fishery more effective, environmentally- responsible fisheries use streamer lines which consist of lengths of rope with brightly coloured streamers attached. These flap in the wind and deter seabirds from attacking baited hooks. The studies conducted in various parts of the ocean prove that streamer lines are amongst the most effective mitigation in reducing by-catch in longline fisheries. Studies carried out in Kamchatka with WWF support demonstrated that a pair of streamer lines that protect the groundline like curtains reduce bird mortality by almost 90%.

Since 2008, WWF-Russia has been in Facts of the matter dialogue with fisheries promoting the idea of using streamer lines in the longline demersal fishery. It was then that the first consignment of streamers was produced in Russia and handed over to the fishing companies. Due to financial problems, the project had to be suspended, but in 2013, it was resumed. During this period, however, fishermen continued to use the streamers that had been provided by WWF or ones Yuri Artyukhin, Head of the Laboratory of which they made themselves. Ornithology at the Kamchatka Branch of the Pacific Geographical Institute, Far Eastern Branch of What has been achieved? In 2014, WWF signed an agreement with the Russian Academy of Sciences: the Longline Fishery Association of Russia. «Longline fishery is probably Our experts instructed the fishermen the only type of fishing where on how to use the streamers. WWF has business interests are in line with been funding the work of independent those of ecologists. The streamer observers, recruited from amongst lines significantly reduce seabird mortality. This gives a positive scientists, who stay on fishing vessels trend for their population during longline fishing activities evaluating dynamics and helps to increase the species composition and quantity the volume of catch by reducing of by-catch and also the effectiveness the loss of baits. The positive effect of using the streamers can of streamers used for reducing the bird be seen through the population mortality. dynamic of the short-tailed

© YURI ARTYUKHIN YURI © albatross, an endangered species caught by baited hooks. In the middle of the last century, it was on the brink of extinction, but thanks to the measures that were implemented, the species was rescued. At present, the population of short-tailed albatross is growing. In 2008 in the Bering Sea, we could normally sight between one and three birds close to a fishing vessel. Five years later, however, the average number of sightings was nine and once we saw 41 birds.»

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 23 © ALEXANDER EVGRAFOV / WWF-RUSSIA / EVGRAFOV © ALEXANDER CLIMATE AND ENERGY~ All emissions CLIMATE AND ENERGY will have to be reported

Did you know? Climatologists are absolutely convinced that the global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) must be reduced very significantly, otherwise mankind will face serious problems during the second half of the 21st Century. This is what both the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and its Russian equivalent, the Second Assessment Report of the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (RosHydroMet), both published in 2014, came up with. Country-specific objectives on reducing GHG emissions do not prove to be effective. The emissions must be regulated at the level of individual companies, which is how such regulations work Elena Perevertailova, effectively across the world. Earth Keeper since 2009: Governments in different “It is nice to know that your money, even if it was a small

© countries are bothered not amount, helped to save an animal’s life or your vote ARKHANGELSKIY PULP AND PAPER MILL so much by the amount of helped to prevent the implementation of a project that would have had an adverse impact on the environment GHG emission but by the or made its implementation more environmentally- ‘backwardness’ of energy responsible.” production and industries. Therefore, governments want to find and apply a simple and transparent tool with which to identify those companies that operate significantly below the average global level and to force them to modernise. Experience in many countries shows that the most practical and efficient tool is the introduction of emission quotas Dmitry Zylev, Director General of Arkhangelsk through market methods, ie. by issuing quotas and developing a mechanism Pulp and Paper Plant: for trading in quotas. This is probably the best direction for Russia to take and WWF has been promoting this idea at all levels, from scientific papers “Over the last ten years, Arkhangelsk Pulp and Paper through to meetings with government officials and industry managers. Plant (PPP) has been calculating

and verifying its carbon footprint DARYA © KUDRYAVTSEVA WWF-RUSSIA / and publishing its annual reports on GHG emissions. We were the first company in Russia to introduce a GHG emission management system according to ISO 14064 standard. This enables us not only to correctly calculate the amount of GHG emission but also helps us to plan and implement measures to reduce the emissions. In 2014, Arkhangelsk PPP took part for the first time in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the largest world database on GHG emissions by individual companies. We produced a report on our climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in CDP format. As a result, Arkhangelsk PPP was given the highest rating of carbon transparency in Russia and we are truly proud of this.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 25 CLIMATE AND ENERGY © NAOYUKI YAMAGISHI / WWF-JAPAN / YAMAGISHI NAOYUKI © Facts of the matter In 2013, the President of Russia signed a decree that limits greenhouse gas emissions to 75% of the 1990 level by 2020. However, this Decree sets the target for the whole country which does not provide any results on its own. The Decree does not specify who should reduce emissions and why. In order to specify these, the Government needs to know how much individual Alexei Kokorin, companies emit – in other words, Head of the WWF-Russia Climate obligatory reporting must be in place. and Energy Programme: Those companies which are considerably “At present, developed countries behind the global average indicators reduce their CO2 emissions while must be forced to introduce modern countries at a similar stage technologies that will eventually result of development as Russia are in the reduction of emissions. The levelling off their emissions. reporting system should be reliable, A significant reduction in the amount of CO emissions comprehensive, open to the public and 2 is expected in Russia in the provide incentives for taking the next 2030s when it is realistic to steps. expect the economy becoming less dependent on extractive industries. However, even now What has been achieved? In April 2014 and after a long period of we can see a very noticeable consultation during which WWF-Russia shift. In 2014, investments in solar power generation grew was an active participant, the Prime dramatically. Solar power Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, stations are being actively built signed an Instruction whereby each and their total installed capacity sector of the economy must have its own by 2015 will be 40 times more quotas of GHG emissions and from the than in 2011.” beginning of 2016 obligatory reporting for each enterprise must be in place. The Instruction, however, specifies neither the format of reporting to be used nor the government body to whom to report should be directed. This subject has been the focus of intense discussion for almost a year. In the end, common sense prevailed. The final draft of the Concept sent by the agencies to the Government for approval is functional, aimed at future regulation and a reduction in emissions and is in line with WWF’s position. © MAYA © YERLANBAYEVA

26 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM / WWF-CANADA / ISTOCKPHOTO.COM © GREEN ECONOMY~

Irina Antonova, WWF supporter “Why do I like helping WWF? It just makes me happy! To help and to create is so much more fun than consuming and destroying.” A dangerous project GREEN ECONOMY has been suspended

Did you know? Every year, western Pacific grey whales spend five summer months feeding in the Okhotsk Sea close to the north-eastern shores of Sakhalin Island and then leave for their winter breeding. This whale population is now in a critical state and totals only about 150 animals. In addition, there are only between 25 and 30 female whales left that are capable of breeding. The grey whales are threatened by the oil and gas development projects, especially Dmitry Lisitsyn, Head of Sakhalin Environmental during seismic exploration. Watch: “In the past, Exxon Neftegas The problem of saving the grey whales Limited successfully delivered Facts of the matter that feed close to the north-eastern their heavy equipment to Piltun Spit by land. Their intention shores of Sakhalin Island in Piltun Bay to use a marine route this has been a focus of WWF and other time is neither in line with environmental NGOs for a number of environmental requirements years. In 2013, under pressure from nor with the social and a public campaign, Sakhalin Energy economic interests of Sakhalin announced the postponement until 2020 Region. Instead of investing of the construction of a new drilling in improvements to the road platform within the whale habitat. infrastructure on Sakhalin, However, another company, Exxon the company attempts to save Neftegas Limited, is planning to construct their money and put under threat of extinction the smallest temporary uploading facilities in the population of grey whales in the area. According to the company’s plans, world.” transportation by sea will cut through those off-shore waters that are the most important for whales. Our experts have proved that the noise impact will exceed the level acceptable to these animals and that the radius of the noise zone will not be six kilometres as stated by the company but 20 kilometres. If the construction takes place, the whales will be driven out of the largest and best part of their feeding grounds.

A coalition of environmental NGOs including WWF succeeded in postponing What has been achieved? government approval for the construction project in Piltun Bay that threatened western Pacific grey whales and other marine mammals. A public environmental review © DAVE WELLER / IUCN / WELLER DAVE © has been conducted which showed that any cargo can be delivered through the well- established port of Moskalvo in the north of Sakhalin. The cargo can then be further transported by roads that need to be strengthened and widened. We hope that in 2015 the construction of an ecologically-dangerous temporary port in Piltun Bay will be banned completely.

28 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 How can we save GREEN ECONOMY the Arctic inhabitants?

Did you know? The Arctic is a very vulnerable place. The shortage of natural light, low temperatures, drifting ice, strong wind and low visibility all raise the risk of spillages during the extraction of oil and make it especially dangerous here. At the same time, the emergency response in case of accidents that may occur here is much more difficult than in other areas.

Facts of the matter Development of the Arctic shelf in Russia is accelerating. So far, licences for oil and gas exploration and extraction have been issued for a quarter of its total area. However, neither Russia nor other countries possess the know-how for the safe extraction of hydrocarbons in icy conditions. WWF’s position in this regard is that, prior to intensive development within the Arctic, the effective emergency response measures for oil spillages in icy conditions need to be tested and special programmes to train volunteers in rescuing animals need to be implemented.

What has been achieved? WWF’s proposals for the appropriate and safe development of the Arctic will be incorporated into the action plans of the Russian Government. Such a promise was given by President Putin after he took part in a roundtable discussion on the problems facing oil and gas development in Russia. The President instructed the Government to develop an action plan to prevent animals dying after spillages of oil and oil products. A list of species that can serve as indicators of marine ecosystem well-being was drawn up. Based on this list, the oil and gas companies are given recommendations to formulate their biodiversity conservation strategies. Among these species is the Atlantic walrus which is listed in the Red List and is one of the priority species in WWF’s

© WWF-RUSSIA © work. The oil and gas companies will now have to formulate and implement programmes for the monitoring and protection of the walrus. In particular, they must introduce technologies to prevent the contamination of key walrus rookeries on arctic islands in case of oil spillages. We expect the presidential instructions to be implemented in 2015. At the same meeting, WWF was instrumental in the subsequent revocation of a draft law that proposed abolishing the state environmental review for development projects on the Arctic continental shelf (see Page 34). © JULIA KALINICHEVA / WWF-RUSSIA WWF-RUSSIA / KALINICHEVA JULIA © Alexei Knizhnikov, WWF-Russia, Extractive Industry Environmental Policy Officer: “It is very important that the instructions to the Russian Government incorporated WWF’s proposal to develop a pilot project on the integrated management of marine resources in the Russian section of the Barents Sea. This approach will help to take into account the interests of key stakeholders, including oil industries, fisheries, protected areas and all other parties involved.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 29 Which region GREEN ECONOMY is richer?

Did you know? Biocapacity is the ability of an ecosystem to produce useful biological materials and to absorb wastes, including CO2. Nine of the ten regions that are conventionally ranked highest for investments are those with comparatively large per capita biocapacity deficits. At the same time, these ten Federal Subjects are responsible for 43% of Russia’s total ecological footprint.

Facts of the matter For several years, Russia had benefited heavily from high market prices for fossil fuels. However, the large-scale export of hydrocarbons, hydropower and timber caused ecosystem degradation, created difficulties in developing a sustainable economy and put under threat the biodiversity and natural potential of many of the Russian regions. Russia needs to start tracking its demand in renewable biological resources and to regularly take stock of its reserves. Only then will our country be able to maintain its ‘ecological capital’ for many years to come.

What has been achieved? WWF, together with the Global Footprint Network, calculated for the first time the ecological footprint and biocapacity of Russian regions. The research has been conducted with financial support from Teplocom Holding. Our findings show that Russia is among the few nations that, with careful management of its resource demands, can securely maintain its biocapacity reserve for decades to come.

The results of this study provide an easy-to-use tool for measuring the ecological footprint for regional organisations, including federal and regional authorities, working in the field of natural resources management.

The study demonstrated that the ten most developed and attractive regions for investment, including Moscow, Moscow Region and St. Petersburg, have a very high level of the ecological capital consumption, but that their biocapacity reserves are very low. In comparison, those Federal Subjects where national biocapacity reserves are largely concentrated attract significantly less investment. These include the Chukotka and Andrey Lipatov, Nenets Autonomous Regions, Sakha (Yakutia) Republic and the Magadan, Director-General of Teplocom Holding HC: Kamchatka and Krasnoyarsk Regions. The most favourable situation exists within those regions that have both high biocapacity reserves and high “This report reveals Federal Subjects which have particularly HDI (human development index), such as the Primorsky, Khabarovsk, high potential for improving Krasnoyarsk, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk and Irkutsk Regions. resource management and sustainable development. It needs WWF came to a firm conclusion that, within those regions that have to be borne in mind, however, significant biocapacity reserves and rich biodiversity, investment must be that these opportunities can made not into conventional (industrial) development but into the knowledge- only be realised providing the available resources are managed and service-based economy which is dependent on science, education, sustainably and responsibly. culture, and the arts. The prosperity of these regions must be based on This could be achieved through human development, rather than on the over-exploitation of its natural increasing energy efficiency in the Russian economy.” capital.

30 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 GREEN ECONOMY

Biocapacity Deficit and Reserve of Russian Federal Subjects

27

27 25

64 8 32 31 57 34 2 8 33 12 38 36 28 72 45 42 35 56 43 51 50 46 13 37 4 26 6 49 76 69 48 29 40 44 47 55 7015 21 7 39 14 30 75 3 71 23 5 74 67 68 66 22 17 24 1 41 73 19 65 9 11 58 16 6260 59 20 80 6163 54 77 10 18 82 78 79 ECOLOGICAL BIOCAPACITY 53 83 FOOTPRINT EXCEEDS 81 EXCEEDS ECOLOGICAL 52 BIOCAPACITY BY FOOTPRINT BY > 150 % 0 - 50 % 100 - 150 % 50 - 100 % 50 - 100 % 100 - 200 % 0 - 50 % > 200 %

1. Kurgan Oblast 2. Novgorod Oblast 3.Ulyanovsk Oblast 4.Tula Oblast 5. Saratov Oblast 6. Kursk Oblast 7.Krasnoyarsk Krai 8. Arkhangelsk Oblast 9. Karachay– Cherkess Republic 10. Republic of Dagestan 11. Stavropol Krai 12. Tver Oblast 13. Ivanov Oblast 14. Udmurt Republic 15. Mari El Republic 16. Omsk Oblast 17. Tyumen Oblast 18. Altai Krai 19. Tomsk Oblast 20. Novosibirsk Oblast 21. Perm Krai 22. Republic of Bashkortostan 23. Sverdlovsk Oblast 24. Chelyabinsk Oblast 25. Murmansk Oblast 26. Sakha Republic 27. Chukotka Autonomous Okrug 28. Magadan Oblast 29. Yamalo-Nenets 30. Khanty-Mansi 31. Karelia Republic 32. Saint Petersburg 33. Nenets Autonomous Okrug 34. Leningrad Oblast 35. Komi Republic 12% 36. Vologda Oblast 37. Orlov Oblast 38. Smolensk Oblast 39. Voronezh Oblast 40. Khabarovsk Krai 41. Republic of Adygea 42. Moscow City 43. Kostroma Oblast 44. Belgorod 6% Oblast 45. Kaluga Oblast 46. Vladimir Oblast 47. Tambov Oblast 48. Lipeck Oblast 49. Ryazan Oblast 50. Moscow 5% Oblast 51. Kamchatka Krai 52. Primorsky Krai 53. Jewish Autonomous Oblast 54. Amur Oblast 55. Republic of Mordovia 56. Bryansk Oblast 57. Pskov Oblast 58. Astrakhan 4% Oblast 59. Sakhalin Oblast 60. Republic of Ingushetia 54% 61. Republic of North Ossetia–Alania 62. Kabardino-Balkar 4% Republic 63. Chechen Republic 64. Kaliningrad Oblast 65. Republic of Kalmykia 66. Krasnodar Krai 67. Rostov 3% Oblast 68. Volgograd Oblast 69. Kirov Oblast 70. Chuvash Republic 71. Republic of Tatarstan 72. Yaroslavl Oblast 3% 73. Orenburg Oblast 74. Samara Oblast 75. Penza 3% Oblast 76. Nizhny Novgorod Oblast 77. Kemerovo Oblast 3% 78. Republic of Buryatia 79. Zabaykalsky Krai 80. Irkutsk 3% Oblast 81. Altai Republic 82. Republic of Khakassia 83. Tuva Republic

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 31 WWF assessed GREEN ECONOMY the responsibility of oil and gas companies © CREON ENERGY CREON © Facts of the matter The oil and gas industry exerts the highest impact on the environment in Russia. Currently and for the near future, however, this industry will remain the backbone of the Russian economy. However, up until now, Russia has lacked an instrument that would present unbiased information on the social and environmental responsibility of oil and gas companies and the impact that Natalia Sokolova, they have on the environment and human Head of Environmental Supervision at the Federal health. Service for Supervision of Natural Resource Management WWF came up with the idea of developing (RosPrirodNadzor): a rating system for the environmental “Two years ago, and social responsibility of companies RosPrirodNadzor undertook operating within Russia. It is thought extensive research on the that such a rating would stimulate methodology for rating oil and gas companies. The results of growth in business responsibility and this study were incorporated thereby raise investment attractiveness into the WWF project. We are and also increase public involvement in pleased that this rating combines methodologies developed by the environmental governance. government institutions, NGOs and business.”

What has been achieved? WWF together with the Creon Energy Group prepared for the first time in Russia an environmental responsibility rating for the oil and gas sector. WWF developed the methodology while the National Rating Agency made the calculations. We expect the rating to facilitate an improvement in environmental risk management with respect to hydrocarbon crude production, transportation and processing. This instrument would also open up an innovative mechanism for Russia for exchanging information between the oil and gas sector and the public. This is of special importance in view of the gaps that exists in state environmental policy, such as the lack of public access to corporate information on discharges, emissions and wastes.

© VLADIMIR FILONOV / WWF-RUSSIA / FILONOV VLADIMIR © Nineteen companies, the largest companies in terms of the volume of oil and gas they extract (above 1.5 million tonnes a year), have been rated against 28 criteria in three categories, namely, environmental management, environmental impact and information transparency. Surgutneftegaz received the highest score, while Sakhalin Energy came in second place and Gazprom third.

32 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 © VLADIMIR FILONOV / WWF-RUSSIA / FILONOV VLADIMIR © ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION~ Environmentalists prevented ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION the abolishment of the state environmental review

Did you know? The state environmental review is among the most important mechanisms of helping to prevent damage that might be caused by planned economic activities. Reviewing is preceded by an

environmental impact assessment which WWF-RUSSIA / KHRAPOVA MARINA © must specify what impacts the project might cause on the environment and propose the various options available to project implementation in order to choose the least damaging one. This process also provides an opportunity for the public to have their say.

Ekaterina Khmeleva, WWF-Russia Environmental Law Facts of the matter In 2006, environmental law in Russia was Programme Officer: amended so that the state environmental “If the draft law had been © DMITRY DESHEVYKH / WWF-RUSSIA / DESHEVYKH DMITRY © review is obligatory only for the projects approved, it would have planned within the marine environment weakened the legal framework or in protected areas or when waste for environmental protection and the public would be deprived disposal and processing facilities are of almost the only opportunity planned. The state environmental review provided under current law to of all other projects was abolished so that take part in the decision-making process on the planning of the planners did not have to spend their potentially environmentally- time and money producing a full-scale damaging projects. We are glad environmental impact assessment or to the parliamentarians listened to the environmentalists and discuss their plans with the public. revoked their draft law. At the same time, efforts to improve In May 2014, several MPs tabled a draft the legislation on environmental law at the State Duma that proposed impact assessments and abolishing the state environmental review environmental expert reviews are ongoing. We are presently for even those remaining projects. taking part in the drafting of a new law that is being led by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The appeal that WWF along with other On one hand, this new law is What has been achieved? supposed to fill in the gaps and environmental NGOs prepared was to resolve discrepancies in the sent to the Russian President and State existing legislation and to extend Duma. The draft law was subsequently the list of projects subject to state environmental review: on the withdrawn. other hand, the law should not become an additional burden to environmentally-responsible Dmitry Kushnerenko, business because it should member of the Golden Panda Club provide clear regulations and procedures. In addition, this law “Conserving nature and treating it carefully is, in would provide the framework fact, preserving our habitat – all the more so, the for public participation and for taking public opinions into future and possibly even the present existence of account in environmental mankind depend on its quality.” decision-making.”

34 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Amendments to the ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION Criminal Code of Russia came into effect

Did you know? The Russian Government significantly toughened the penalties for illegal hunting and, especially important, for trading in endangered species, which are what WWF has been striving for over many years. From July 2013, poachers were required to pay fines amounting to millions of roubles, so significantly exceeding the amounts that they could expect to receive from selling their trophies.

Facts of the matter The Law that came into effect aims to put a halt, not only to poaching, but also to the black market-related trade in endangered species. In 2014, five criminal cases were initiated with respect to the violation of Article 258.1 of the Russian Criminal Code for the trade, storage and transportation of body parts

belonging to the Amur tiger, WWF-RUSSIA / SOLKIN VASILIY © Amur leopard and polar bear.

What has been achieved? This penalty has become real and serious. In 2014 and for the first time in Primorsky Region, a poacher was sentenced to 2 years 5 months imprisonment in a penal colony and ordered © WWF-RUSSIA © to pay a fine of 726,500 roubles. During the year-and-a-half that the Law has been in effect, three other offenders involved in the illegal trade in body parts of endangered species were sentenced. Two similar criminal cases are now at court hearing stage. WWF played a crucial role Olga Zherebkina, in providing expertise during the Legal Advisor at the Amur branch of WWF-Russia: criminal investigations. “This is the first case where an offender has been imprisoned for the illegal hunting of an Tatiana Lezova, endangered animal and we are Earth Keeper since 2014 happy with the court’s decision. It is important that not only “Information on the Amur leopard prompted me the poacher bears criminal to work with WWF and give donations to the responsibility but also his/her protection of endangered animals. I was sad accomplices who benefit from trading in endangered wildlife when I learnt that leopards are on the brink of species and their body parts. extinction and decided to help them through It is only the inevitability of WWF. I also read on WWF’s website that not punishment that is able to halt only leopards need help but many other rare poaching and help to protect rare and beautiful animals that need to survive.” species.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 35 Your active position saved ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION Russian nature reserves

Did you know? The strict protection regime practised in nature reserves does not permit the development of any economic activity within them. There are not as many restrictions in national parks – tourism and recreation, for example, are allowed as well as the building of any necessary infrastructure.

Facts of the matter In December 2013, the President of Russia signed a list of amendments to the Law on Protected Areas. According to these amendments, the status of some nature reserves can be lowered to that of national parks. WWF does not object to the fact that, de facto, the status of several nature reserves in Russia is similar to national parks and their status can be officially changed. We fear, however, that approved amendments may be used as a loophole to build tourism and recreation infrastructure that is not linked to conservation purposes, including roads and communication facilities.

What has been achieved? In January 2014, WWF asked their supporters to appeal to and request the President of Russia to limit the list of nature reserves that can be transformed into national parks. As a result, President Putin instructed the Russian Government to endorse this list. Vladimir Putin also instructed Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to strengthen the legal regime of nature reserves and national parks and to place a ban on withdrawing land plots located close to their boundaries and changing their purpose. © VALERIY SCHUROV SCHUROV VALERIY © © OLEG SERDECHNIKOV OLEG ©

Evgeny Shvarts, Environmental Policy Director, WWF-Russia: “We are happy to say that, together with our supporters who sent thousands of letters to the President, we managed to change the situation. The President heard us and agreed with our arguments.”

36 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 Integrated natural resource ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION management will contribute to the conservation of marine ecosystems

Did you know? Mankind is so active in exploiting the marine environment that it is already becoming too competitive. Frequently, conflicts of interest arise when various industries compete for operational space within the same marine areas and they get in the way of each other. Such competition is dangerous to both the marine environment and its inhabitants.

Facts of the matter Over the last few years, WWF has been highlighting the necessity of developing an integrated management plan for the marine environment of the Barents Sea. We are convinced that, with such rapidly-growing human impact (oil and gas development, navigation, commercial fishing, Dmitry Polkanov, etc.), the only effective way to regulate the interaction between member of the Golden Panda Club different sectors is to introduce integrated sea use management (ISUM) based on an ecosystem approach. “Suddenly you realise that our planet is in fact very small and, surprisingly, so is our world. And without any exaggeration, one can say that our future depends on how each one of us acts, quite literally.” © DMITRY CHISTOPRUDOV DMITRY ©

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 37 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION

What has been achieved? In 2014 and together with the expert community, WWF formulated a list of activities that would facilitate the development of integrated management plans for the marine environment as soon as possible and introduce them in all Russian seas. These activities are designed to help improve legislation and governance in the maritime economy. Without relevant political decisions, however, all our plans are likely to remain on paper.

Thanks to WWF’s presentation at the roundtable discussion with President Putin that took place in June 2014 on the effective and safe development of the Arctic, the subject of the integrated management of the marine environment was articulated at the federal level while the development of a pilot project for the Barents Sea received support. This strongly suggests that the integrated plan for the management of the marine environment in the Barents region will be formulated and its implementation will begin within the next year.

WWF is also taking part in the development of legislation for the introduction of marine spatial planning, a key ISUM instrument. An inter-agency expert group has already formulated and approved the concept of a draft law on marine spatial planning in Russia. WWF was the only non-government organisation working in this group. © SERGEY RAFANOV / WWF-RUSSIA / RAFANOV SERGEY ©

38 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 © ANNA LISNIK / WWF-RUSSIA / © LISNIK ANNA COLLABORATION FOR NATURE~ COLLABORATION FOR NATURE

In implementing its conservation strategy, WWF strives to work with Business drives much of the global economy, so we partners who have the highest potential to help mitigate current threats to believe that companies also the planet’s biodiversity and also to address such problems as excessive and have a specific responsibility illegal logging, overfishing and illegal fishing and climate change. for ensuring that the natural resources and ecosystems By working with the private sector, WWF aims to achieve conservation which underpin their results and encourage businesses to become more environmentally- own operations are used responsible. sustainably. Besides, the corporate sector quickly In particular, we aim to: adapts to ever-changing circumstances and often • Protect some of the world’s most ecologically-important places generates innovative (eco-regions) solutions. These innovations need to be applied using • Redirect financial flows to support conservation and sustainable an approach based on the ecosystem management sustainable use of natural resources. • Promote better production and responsible sourcing of raw materials

• Encourage a switch to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels

• Engage jointly on public policy

• Support the equitable sharing of natural resources

• Raise awareness of the need to consume more wisely.

Globally, we achieve our aims by various means: we support legal initiatives that prevent illegal or ecologically-damaging use; we demonstrate to businesses and industries what options exist to shift to more environmentally-sustainable development; and we promote voluntary certification systems, such as the Forest and Marine Stewardship Councils (FSC and MSC). Dmitry Kuzminov, Earth Keeper since 2014 In Russia, the majority of WWF corporate “I believe that one should support charities as a part partnerships are focused of a lifestyle and not just from time to time. WWF suits me well for this purpose because it is a reputable on the priority areas of organisation and there is a guarantee that my donations sustainable forestry and will be efficiently spent to help Nature.” fisheries, conservation of endangered wildlife species and support for protected areas.

Our partnerships are based on the following principles: • Mutual understanding and interaction • Sharing common values • Effectiveness • Open dialogue.

40 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 COLLABORATION FOR NATURE

In general, WWF works with companies in four ways: Maxim Basov, member of Golden Panda Club 1. Reduction of ecological footprint through more efficient use of resources and energy “I empathise with WWF staff and supporters. I love pristine nature 2. Encouraging environmentally-responsible business practices and seeing the threats that it faces 3. Communications and awareness-raising activities in our country cannot do nothing.” 4. Philanthropic relationships.

The ecological footprint of consumption is Reduction determined by tracking how much biologically productive area it takes to absorb a population’s of ecological footprint waste and to generate all the resources it consumes. through more efficient use of resources and energy Studying ecological footprint shows that regions, industries and companies face increasing shortages of resources, such as energy, timber, cropland, pastures and fishing grounds. The calculation of ecological footprint helps the business sector to develop strategies that could successfully address the increasing demand for the planet’s limited resources and create new goods and services that will be in demand in the future.

We believe that corporations and financial Encouraging environmentally- institutions should use best international practices, policies and standards. In our partnerships, we responsible business practices promote the formulation of explicit environmental policy, help to adapt and introduce the best environmental certification standards, including FSC and MSC, into business practices and promote principles for responsible investment.

Together with our business partners, WWF raises Communications and public awareness of key environmental issues and promotes environmentally-responsible awareness-raising activities consumption. Through joint projects, we strive to emphasise the beauty and specific features of eco- regions and those endangered wildlife species that are being safeguarded by WWF. Examples of such an approach are the promotion of responsible corporate and individual consumption through products being made from the FSC-certified timber and highlighting conservation issues within key eco- regions such as the Arctic.

We attract financial and technical support Philanthropic relationships from the business sector in order to support conservation activities within key eco-regions, to protect endangered species and to make businesses more environmentally- responsible. Traditionally, business partnerships feature a combination of all three approaches.

In 2014, 60 companies, including corporate foundations, supported WWF-Russia.

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 41 OUR LARGEST COLLABORATION FOR NATURE CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

In 2002, WWF and IKEA Group joined efforts to develop Sector: sustainable forestry and to protect forest biodiversity. Retail, The WWF and IKEA partnership is aimed at eliminating wood-processing industry inappropriate forest use practices, ensuring that legal Partnership type: requirements for forests are complied with, promoting International, sustainable development voluntary forest certification such as FSC by engaging various stakeholders and also at increasing the area of Focus: sustainably-managed forests. Forest

The global collaboration between WWF and Mondi Sector: Group began in 1991 and in Russia in 2008. In 2014, Packaging WWF and Mondi signed a new three-year agreement on and paper-production a global and strategic partnership. Its aim is to minimise Partnership type: the environmental impacts of Mondi’s operations and to International, sustainable development encourage sustainable practices within the paper and packaging industry. Focus: Forest In Russia, WWF and Mondi work together in Arkhangelsk Region to reduce logging and prevent fragmentation of the last tracts of intact forests that remain in Europe and to strengthen the protected area network. In addition, the partnership between WWF and Mondi encourages the development of sustainable forest management in the region and the protection of high conservation value forests and helps to engage environmentally-responsible timber producers and the public sector.

In 2012, WWF-Russia and Stora Enso launched a joint Sector: project with the aim of promoting sustainable forest Packaging and paper-production management amongst Russian timber producers using the FSC certification. During the project, Partnership type: timber producers receive training in FSC certification National, sustainable development, philanthropy mechanisms to ensure the legal origin of the harvested timber and to introduce responsible forest management Focus: practices in order to obtain their FSC certificates. Forest

42 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 COLLABORATION FOR NATURE

In 2013, Tetra Pak and WWF launched a three-year Sector: programme Supporting the development of sustainable Packaging forestry and FSC certification including within the WWF Partnership type: priority regions and promoting FSC-certified products in International, sustainable the Russian domestic market. The programme is designed development to encourage the recognition of and demand for FSC- Focus: certified products by promoting them among corporate Forest and private consumers. One of the key initiatives of Tetra Pak and WWF was the project on sustainable forestry in the North Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts, the only Russian federal districts where FSC certification has not yet been introduced.

Citi Foundation supports projects aimed at improving the Sector: lives of people in low-income communities around the Finance world. Since 2010 and until the present, Citi Foundation Partnership type: and WWF-Russia have been working together to facilitate National, philanthropy the development of small businesses which should become an alternative to poaching in the key eco-regions. In Altai- Focus: Sayan Ecoregion within the snow leopard and argali habitats, Endangered species local residents receive advice and financial support in order to establish legal businesses, such as rural tourism and ecotourism, the production of souvenirs and felt goods and effective animal husbandry that is not damaging to the unique natural ecosystems. In Kamchatka, businesses that focus on the harvesting, processing and marketing of non-timber forest products have been supported, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable and environmentally- responsible forestry. In Kazakhstan and within the project on the restoration of the Caspian tiger, Citi Foundation and WWF-Russia help land-users living within the tiger’s former habitat to identify ways of generating income without overexploiting natural resources. These include animal husbandry that utilises highly productive forage crops, solar and wind power generation, environmentally-sound fish farming and traditional craft making.

Operating through its Foundation, the Coca Cola Company Sector: invests in enhancing the sustainability of local communities Beverage production worldwide. Since 2008, the Company has been supporting Partnership type: the Polar Bear Patrol project which is aimed at the protection National, philanthropy of the polar bear in the Arctic. Assisted by the residents of coastal villages and weather station and protected area staff Focus: members, the patrols monitor the polar bear population Endangered species and conduct anti-poaching and environment awareness campaigns.

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 43 COLLABORATION FOR NATURE

The Yves Rocher Foundation helps to organise local and Sector: global conservation events and promote environmental Perfume and cosmetics knowledge and awareness around the world. Since 2010, industry WWF in partnership with Yves Rocher has been conducting Partnership type: a forest restoration project. The project was initiated National, philanthropy in Arkhangelsk Region with the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion joining in 2012. In total, three million trees within an Focus: area of 780 hectares were planted in Arkhangelsk Region Forest and Altai Republic between 2010 and 2013. In 2014, the project was expanded to the central part of Altai Region with the aim of restoring forests that were destroyed by wildfires and industrial logging during the Soviet era. In total, 650 hectares of forest will be restored including 100 hectares in Altai Region and 550 hectares in the Republic of Altai.

In 2005, Alfa-Bank together with WWF launched Sector: a co-brand plastic Visa debit card which featured the WWF Finance logo. The Bank donates 0.39% of each purchase made with Partnership type: these cards to WWF conservation projects, thereby not National, communications only helping WWF to address important conservation and raising public awareness, problems but also giving its customers an opportunity to philanthropy support a good cause. Focus: Endangered species

Being one of the leaders in the international financial Sector: market, the EXNESS Group pays special attention to Finance environmental protection and has been supporting WWF- Partnership type: Russia since 2014. The company supports projects on the National, philanthropy restoration of the Persian leopard in the Caucasus and the conservation of the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East. Focus: Endangered species EXNESS sponsored the formulation of Guidelines for the Persian Leopard Preparation and Release into the Wild which is now being reviewed by experts in the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In Sochi National Park, EXNESS funded the construction of an artificial rock to help leopards learn necessary skills for their future independent life. Three radio collars will be purchased for the leopards in order to track their movements and observe how they adapt to life in the wild. Information received through such tracking would be made available in real-time on the websites of project partners.

44 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 COLLABORATION FOR NATURE

Since 2012, HSBC and WWF have been working together Sector: on a global programme to protect and provide freshwater Finances resources. In 2014, a joint project to increase the size of Partnership type: the Oriental stork population was launched. This species National, philanthropy is believed to be an indicator of water quality in the Amur River, one of the ten largest rivers on Earth. The presence Focus: of this bird indicates the wellbeing of ecosystems which Endangered species is a necessary prerequisite to ensure people’s health. Collaboration with HSBC will not only contribute to increasing the number of nests in the pilot areas but also to improving the stork habitat in the Russian Far East.

M.Video has been supporting WWF-Russia since 2003. Sector: Since 2010, M.Video has been selling special gift cards Retail which feature the WWF logo and a portion of revenue Partnership type: generated through the sale of these cards has been National, communication donated to WWF conservation projects. In 2014, together and raising public awareness, with M.Video, WWF launched a new joint project to philanthropy protect snow leopard in the Argut River basin (Altai- Sayan Ecoregion). The project is aimed at improving Focus: the protection of the snow leopard’s key habitat through Endangered species, forest anti-poaching patrols, monitoring this rare predator and removing poachers’ traps.

As a corporate social responsibility initiative, this Sector: telecommunication company became a WWF partner and Telecommunications committed itself to donating 5% of the revenues generated Partnership type: from all annual private subscriptions to the support of National, communication biodiversity conservation projects. and raising public awareness, philanthropy Focus: Endangered species

Since 2002, RESO-Garantia has been donating to WWF Sector: conservation projects a portion of revenue generated on Insurance each vehicle insurance policy sold. This insurance is called Partnership type: the Green Belt and vehicle owners have been provided National, communication with information on what every driver can do to help and raising public awareness, mitigate global climate change (mostly through cutting philanthropy CO2 emissions). Focus: Climate and energy, endangered species

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 45 COLLABORATION FOR NATURE

Thanks to support from Teplocom Holding in 2014, WWF Sector: prepared and published the first report in Russia on the Energy Ecological Footprint of Russian Regions. The report Partnership type: assessed the sustainability of territorial development and National, communication and provides authorities and business with an instrument to raising public awareness evaluate their effectiveness in this field. Focus: In partnership with WWF, Teplocom Holding produced Green economy a series of special meters to account for energy use and saving and a portion of revenues generated through selling them has been donated to support WWF projects.

A joint WWF-Russia and Boeing project, The Green Belt of Sector: Amur is aimed at conserving the population of the Oriental Aircraft industry white stork. Project activities include the enforcement Partnership type: of stork nesting habitat protection, development of legal National, philanthropy mechanisms ensuring the long-term conservation of the Focus: stork population and raising environmental awareness Endangered species among local communities.

Below is the list of other companies who supported WWF projects during 2014 (including pro bono contributions).

Adlabs Flora Express Pernod Ricard Rouss Amway FRECOM Printdirect.ru Axiomatika Friends Pollock Catchers Association BBDO Hemostatica ROSBANK Belyi Biznes Hungry Boys ROSAN Bozita Kira Plastinina RD Management BSH KPMG Russ-Invest IK CREON Energy Leo Burnett Saninbev CROC Lesosibirsky LDK №1 Santehcom Region Diadgeo Maxx Royal Siberian Health Dve palochki More Zhelaniy SFT Trading Destiny Development MTS Solikamskbumprom EN+ Ogilvi Sushi Shop EQUIP Organic Systems Ural Branding Agency Eurokam RBS URSA

46 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 © ANNA ALEXEYTSEVA / WWF-RUSSIA © / ANNA ALEXEYTSEVA THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!~

Evgenia Shchipalova, member of the Golden Panda Club “I’ve always felt closely connected to nature. The only way I can truly relax is by spending time outdoors. I simply know I’m a part of nature. I’d like to help. I’m quite confident that at WWF my small contribution will be used effectively, professionally and where nature’s priority needs are.” THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

WWF supporters donate funds to conservation projects, take part in educational activities and trips to wild corners and support environmental campaigns and actions organised by WWF.

WWF supporters are our strength and public support that enable us to reach conservation targets. In 2014, over 50 million roubles were raised for conservation activities thanks to WWF-Russia supporters!

In 2014, the WWF charity gift shop was launched Internet charity shop at http://help.wwf.ru/podarki/. Helping our planet was made even easier and more pleasant. Everyone can choose a gift for him/herself, or for their beloved ones, make a donation and receive a nice souvenir by post or courier service.

The shop features some already very popular characters of our Let’s Preserve Endangered Species Programme, hand-made bracelets with silver pendants, felt toys made by Altai craftsmen, changeable insert paper travel mugs and many other items. Almost 5,000 people received WWF gifts that together generated 9.5 million roubles for nature conservation.

The Let’s Preserve Endangered Species Programme had a new “addition” – the polar bear and Amur leopard were joined by the Amur tiger and giant panda, the latter being the symbol of planet biodiversity conservation and WWF. Twelve percent of donors chose not to accept the gift, meaning that their contribution to nature conservation would be even bigger! © MARINA KHRAPOVA / WWF-RUSSIA / KHRAPOVA MARINA ©

48 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Now everyone can support WWF conservation SMS-campaign: projects by sending a text message with the word “PANDA” to 3443, thereby donating 100 roubles. helping has become easier! Nearly 2,500 people used this easy method of making charitable donations in 2014.

In 2014, a charitable campaign called Important Important people People for the Living Planet was launched at http:// wwf.ru/vmeste. Its aim is to mobilise friends, for the living planet colleagues and like-minded people to raise funds for urgent conservation needs. Participants in a chosen project effectively become volunteers – they can share a link to a personalised web-page of their chosen project and involve their friends in supporting a good cause. A successful example of such volunteer work is the An Earth Keeper is a WWF initiative of WWF employees who joined supporter who donates each other in supporting the Amur 10,000 roubles or more Leopard Conservation Programme, a year. Earth Keepers shared problems with their clients and receive invitations to attend even put together a special English- conservation events and Russian leopard dictionary. Everyone actions within Moscow and was able to personally contribute and Moscow Region. They are about 100 people made donations to the also given practical gifts for conservation of the Amur leopard. outdoor activities.

Galina Koval, member of the Golden Panda Club

“In our relationship with nature, as in relationships with people, How about it is very important for us not just involving friends to take and use, but also to give, share and support. Only then can and relatives? one reach genuine closeness and mutual understanding.”

WWF’s Moscow office regularly hosts get-togethers WWF supporters get together for WWF supporters at which conservation experts give talks on interesting projects and discuss complex issues and urgent needs in an informal setting.

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 49 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Weekend tours to nature reserves and national Travelling parks in the European Part of Russia are being organised for members of the Golden Panda Club under the WWF flag and Earth Keepers. Tours undertaken with WWF represent quality time spent for the sake of soul and nature, unforgettable memories, new friends and amazing photographs. In the summer of 2014, we visited Orlovskoe Polessie and Samarskaya Luka National Parks. © OLEG KRASOVSKIY / WWF-RUSSIA / KRASOVSKIY OLEG © The Golden Panda Club is a community of successful and extraordinary people. Members of the Club travel together, meet top officials responsible for environmental protection, representatives of environmentally-responsible businesses and celebrities. Golden Pandas join forces to sponsor key conservation projects, find common ground and to socialise. The annual contribution required to join the Club is 100,000 roubles or more.

Earth Keepers and members of the Golden Panda Taking part in projects Club helped to address a number of crucial and urgent conservation issues. In the Far Eastern and expeditions Federal Marine Reserve, funds raised were used to carry out anti-poaching raids and to purchase navigation equipment. In August 2014, project

© ANNA ALEXEYTSEVA / WWF-RUSSIA © / ANNA ALEXEYTSEVA supporters together with WWF representatives visited the Far Eastern Federal Marine Reserve. WWF supporters not only saw bird colonies and seal rookeries with their own eyes, but also witnessed a couple of offenders being detained. Thanks to the financial contributions from Golden Pandas and Earth Keepers, an integrated ecological feasibility study for the

50 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! © NIKOLAY DONTSOV / WWF-RUSSIA / DONTSOV NIKOLAY © proposed Khibiny National Park has been conducted within a short period of time. In September 2014, participating supporters in this project visited Kola Peninsula and saw the beauty of the northern nature which they are helping to preserve. The idea of establishing new park at this site came about in the 1990s and Khibiny National Park is expected to be set up in 2015. In addition, urgent help was provided to European bisons living in the Teberdinsky State Nature Biosphere Reserve. Due to severe snowfalls, additional funds were required and acquired to provide enough food for the animals. More information about these and other projects can be found at http://wwf.ru/help_us/projects.

Members of the Golden Panda Club and WWF- WWF-Russia jubilee Russia corporate partners celebrated 20 years since the Foundation began working in Russia. The at Muraviev-Apostols mansion event took place at the mansion house of Muraviev- Apostols. This unusual venue was provided by Christopher Muraviev-Apostol, the museum founder who has been a member of the Golden Panda Club for many years and a descendant of the mansion’s former owners. Laura Williams, Vladimir Krever and Victor Nikiforov, co-founders of WWF-Russia, gave talks on their recollections of the early days of WWF in Russia. © ILYA © ORDOVSKIY-TANAEVSKIY Alexandra Panarina, WWF supporter “I’d like to wish future WWF sup- porters not to separate them- selves from nature and wildlife because we are all closely inter- connected. In fact, we are one huge entity, an organism and we shouldn’t divide and take away. We must learn how to live to- gether and to peacefully co-exist, helping and taking care of one another.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 51 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

On 12th December, WWF-Russia brought its Charity event friends together at the Centre of Documentary Cinema. The hero of the day was the Amur leopard, with Nikolai Drozdov the rarest cat on Earth. Guests were shown the documentary Farewell to the Actor, which was filmed with WWF-Russia help, and given the opportunity to talk to Nikolai Drozdov, popular Russian broadcaster and naturalist and one of WWF’s long-time friend and supporter. At the event, over 350,000 roubles were donated to Amur leopard conservation. © SERGEY GOLOVIN SERGEY ©

Strong snowfalls in the Russian Far East in late- Aid for tigers January 2015 severely limited the movements of deer, roe deer and wild boar in their search for arrived in time food. If the ungulates had had a mass die-off, the tigers would have had very little food over the next winter and the recovery of the ungulate population number may © WWF-RUSSIA © have taken many decades. WWF-Russia appealed to supporters asking them to help urgently. Almost 3,000 people responded to the appeal to help tigers and ungulates in trouble. Thanks to supporters, 1.3 million roubles were raised and an emergency food supply was made available within 15 game management units.

52 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

What we will remember of 2014

17,331 people Over 50 million roubles Over 1,600 people made donations as WWF-Russia were raised for WWF conservation purchased heart-warming gifts at supporters. projects thanks to individual the WWF-Russia charity shop. supporters.

6,790 people 5,921 people in 2014 received WWF-Russia’s sent text messages in support of attractive postcards. the Amur tiger during the SMS fundraising campaign.

5 people 42 people appreciated WWF’s appeal became supporters of WWF published on 1st April to protect special projects with 26 of them the pink unicorn, the rarest taking part in specially-organised animal on the planet. Although expeditions. the appeal was clearly a joke, the donations received were significant. To thank supporters for their brilliant sense of humour and financial contribution, we sent them our jubilee soft toy pandas.

Almost 50 guests Over 1,600 soft toy pandas Earth Keepers and members of the charity event held at the found new homes during WWF- of the Golden Panda Club Centre of Documentary Cinema Russia’s 20th anniversary year. visited 5 protected areas in gave New Year presents to the This means that every panda pristine corners of Russia. Amur leopard and had the living in the wild found its own opportunity to talk to Nicolai symbolic “guardian”. Drozdov.

The year 2014 was also full of pleasant memories: memories of get- togethers with WWF supporters during Earth Hour and the Charity Ball; memories of companionship during tours to nature reserves and work on volunteer projects; memories of sincere and touching letters which we received from many corners of our country; memories of being able to share good news and to thank all WWF supporters for their help and support. We are confident that next year we will be able to accomplish even more!

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 53 © ANNA LISNIK / WWF-RUSSIA / © LISNIK ANNA WWF ON AIR~ WWF ON AIR

Vassily Osipov, Journalists make an invaluable contribution to our work. Thanks to Earth Keeper since 2014 publicity through the media, we are able to find new supporters and to attract the attention of officials, the public and businesses to conservation “For the Living Planet” is WWF’s slogan. I entirely support this idea problems. In total during 2014, WWF was mentioned in the media no and therefore I am with you. I am fewer than 15,174 times. interested in everything related The most popular topics related to the Earth Hour campaign (see Page 56), to wildlife and nature. It is hard to describe how happy I am to find the release of the Living Planet Report 2014, the oil spill near the port of myself amongst like-minded people. Tuapse, WWF’s report on the environmental potential of Russian regions And to be honest, instead of asking and also to the gift presented by Nicolai Drozdov to President Vladimir “why did you decide to support Putin, a small soft tiger toy symbolising the support received by the WWF WWF?”, I would ask the question: campaign on Amur tiger conservation. “why HAVEN’T you supported WWF before?” We take too much from our During 2014 and as before, WWF was able to share information on its planet. It is time we help it.” projects through free advertising. We thank our information partners Afisha, Newsru.com, Time Out, Russ Outdoor, Inflight Entertainment Group, Russ Outdoor, Galery and many other media for their assistance in placing our adverts and information.

In 2014, WWF-Russia produced 30 publications. These are aimed at both conservation professionals and a wider audience, such as the mass-media, WWF partners, authorities, local communities, supporters and anyone who is searching for solutions to conservation problems and who trusts WWF’s professionalism. Our publications are available free-of-charge. To receive them, you can write to: [email protected], or download them from our website at http://www.wwf.ru/resources/publ.

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 55 WWF ON AIR

On 29 March 2014, Russia joined the annual Earth Earth Hour – 2014 Hour Campaign. In support of Earth Hour ideas, Moscow together with hundreds of other cities in the world switched off the spotlights on 400 of its most well-known buildings and over a thousand offices switched their lights off for an hour. The charity bike ride organised by WWF and the Department of Natural Resources © DMITRY PAPUNOV / WWF-RUSSIA / PAPUNOV DMITRY ©

Management of the Moscow City Administration that sets off from Red Square has already become a tradition. The Earth Hour Campaign took place in more than 120 cities across Russia, including St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, Murmansk, Perm, Naberezhnye Chelny, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky with the total number of participants exceeding 20 million people! The Earth Hour Campaign was supported by the Presidential Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Department of Natural Resources Management of the Moscow City Administration, as well as by several Russian show-business stars, including Anton Komolov, Diana Arbenina, Nargiz Zakirova and the Comedy Club.

On 12 July 2014, WWF-Russia conducted its annual WWF: 20 years in Russia charity Ball on the Lawn at Moscow Country Club to celebrate 20 years since it was established. Over 1,000 guests came to celebrate our anniversary, including such well-known singers as Khelavisa, MakSim and Marta Kot, Neschastny Sluchai, Paperny T.A.M., On-The-Go and JOiO groups, a young finalist of the Voice project Nastya Titova and a poet Stephania Danilova. Old and new WWF supporters as well as officials came to say “Happy Birthday!” All donations given by guests to the Ball and generated through a charitable raffle will help WWF with its conservation work.

56 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 WWF ON AIR

On 1 December 2014, initiated by designer Ksenia Text messages will help Chilingarova, Moscow Central Department Store (TsUM) hosted a charity evening in support of to study pinnipeds the WWF-Russia Atlantic walrus conservation programme. This event provided the start to an SMS-based fundraising campaign to raise funds in order to set up modern camera traps on Vaigach and Matveev Islands in the Nenets Autonomous Region. Using a camera trap is one of the newest and safest ways to study the lives of marine mammals. The cameras can be very useful in counting the number of animals within a certain area, in determining their population structure and finding out when their rookeries are formed and when walruses abandon them. In order to draw public attention to walrus conservation, this event brought together Tanya Gevorkian, Oxana Bondarenko, Dasha Lisichenko, Oksana On, Yana Valencia, Kristina Krasnyanskaya, Mariana Gogova, Nadia Missbach, Ruslan Fakhriev, Marina Kim, Masha Lobanova and many other arts, design and fashion celebrities.

In March 2014, WWF and Ginza Project, an Vote with your fork! international restaurant holding, launched a project called Vote with your fork! Its aim is to inform consumers about the barbaric extermination of sturgeons and to also teach them to opt for environmentally-certified products. The first project event was a masterclass held at the Carlson restaurant. Participants learnt how and where one can find a ‘right’ sturgeon and how to cook it. Guests included artist Nikas Safronov, footballer Dmitry Sennikov, actress Anna Gorshkova, ballerina Ekaterina Liepa, TV presenter Fatima © ANNA LISNIK / WWF-RUSSIA / © LISNIK ANNA

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 57 WWF ON AIR

Khadueva, PR director of Ginza Project Daria Mikhalkova, leader of the Green Alliance party Oleg Mitvol, population biologist Nicolai Myuge and also members of the Golden Panda Club. Under the guidance of Giacomo Lombardi, chef of the Carlson restaurant, they cooked healthy and delicious food. The fish and caviar for the event were delivered from a special fish farm in Vologda Region and experts demonstrated the differences between environmentally-certified and illegally-sourced sturgeons. Everyone can now opt for the conservation of sturgeons in the wild and their responsible consumption while the slogan Vote with your fork! has become globally recognisable.

In November 2014, several connoisseurs of healthy For the benefit and unusual food were brought together at the Culinaryon cooking studio to taste food made with of people and nature Kamchatka fern, wild garlic and orange-cap boletus and also blueberry pudding and pine nut jam. Such an assortment of dishes was not just a fad of the metropolitan chef Anton Prokofiev, but a clear illustration of exciting business opportunities that exist in a remote corner of Russia. Produce for the feast was provided by Kamchatka entrepreneurs who are involved in projects on the harvesting and processing of wild plants and mushrooms. Over the last two years, WWF and Citi Foundation have been working together on a project that aims at developing environmentally-responsible businesses that should become alternatives to poaching. The project creates new jobs and new opportunities to generate income and so improve the livelihoods of local communities in Kamchatka. Such events can help to broaden the views of the average resident in Middle Russia and to indicate to them that Kamchatka is not just the land of salmon and red caviar, but of many other delicacies. © ANNA LISNIK / WWF-RUSSIA / © LISNIK ANNA

58 | WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 WWF ON AIR

In Krasnodar, WWF staff To know in order to protect members gave several lessons to schoolchildren telling them about

© VYACHESLAV MOROZ / WWF-RUSSIA / MOROZ VYACHESLAV © the Persian leopard, its history in the Russian Caucasus and what the Foundation does to return this beautiful rare cat into the wild. In the village of Psebai in Krasnodar Region, WWF representatives held several meetings with the public. Local residents learnt about the leopard, the expected benefits and risks related to its reintroduction and how to avoid conflicts if one is encountered.

The 4th Festival of the Land of the Snow Leopard Celebration in the Republic of Altai, which was initiated and organised by WWF, brought together over that became a tradition 300 people from villages and towns in Altai and guests from Altai Region and Tomsk Regions and from Mongolia. A gala concert of all finalists from the district stages of the Festival, a masterclass on felt-making and an exhibition of drawings and other works were dedicated to the snow leopard, the master of Altai mountain peaks. The Festival has become a good tradition for all lovers and defenders of Altai’s nature. © LYUBOV IVASHKINA / WWF-RUSSIA / IVASHKINA LYUBOV © Vladislav Onishchenko, member of the Golden Panda Club “I decided to join the Golden Panda Club because I think that environmental problems do not receive enough attention in our country and often what is disappearing today is not possible to restore tomorrow. I have been supporting WWF for a long time. I trust it and would like to do more.”

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 59 © ALEXEY PANKOV / WWF-RUSSIA / PANKOV © ALEXEY FINANCES OF WWF-RUSSIA IN 2014~

Maria Kirienko, Earth Keeper since 2006 “I would like to change things for the better to the best of my abilities. I identify with WWF’s projects. Besides, the Foundation unites the efforts of many people and even the smallest donations make a difference in bringing about a big change.” FINANCES OF WWF-RUSSIA IN 2014

EXPENDITURES IN 2014, INCOME IN 2014, IN THOUSANDS OF EUROS IN THOUSANDS OF EUROS

8. 11. 1. 2. 10. 7. 1. 9. 3. 6.

8. 5.

4. 7. 3. 4. 6. 5. 2.

1. Biodiversity Conservation 3781 1. WWF-UK 563 2. Sustainable Forestry 2072 2. WWF-Germany 741 3. Sustainable Fisheries 524 3. WWF-Netherlands 1649 4. Climate and Energy 265 4. WWF-Sweden 1319 5. Green Economy 725 5. WWF offices in other countries 880 6. Environmental Legislation 287 6. Russian corporate sponsorship and donations 639

7. Living Planet Programme (working with the public) 1266 7. Donations from individuals 979 8. Project administration 792 8. German Federal Ministry for the Environment 641 9. Other governmental agencies 704 10. Foreign NGOs and private foundations 960 11. Other sources 637

TOTAL 9712 TOTAL 9712

WWF-Russia. Annual Report 2014 | 61 Care about our Planet? Donate now: www.wwf.ru/donate now: Donate Planet? our about Care WWF-RUSSIA in 2014 BY 82% THREE LEOPARD CUBS increased the population of Altai REGIONAL ECOLOGICAL mountain sheep (argali) found in were born at the Persian Leopard Breed- areas along the Russia-Mongolia FOOTPRINT ing and Rehabilitation Centre in Sochi border. This was the key finding of National Park. This Centre is now home to the argali population census that was calculated for the first time in Russia. 13 animals, including 8 cubs. The cubs are was undertaken with WWF-Russia The main conclusion of the study is that, if destined to become the founding members support. Russia manages its natural resource care- of a population of wild leopard in the fully, the country can securely maintain its Russian Caucasus. bio-capacity reserves for decades to come.

MONGOLIAN OAK TWO YEARS AND MANCHURIAN ASH AND FIVE MONTHS listed in Annex III of CITES (Convention NATIONAL IUU PLAN is how long a poacher will be impris- for the International Trade in Endangered oned in a penal colony for illegally Species). Timber from these valuable approved by the Government of Russia to hunting the Amur tiger. A new Law species may only be exported after an combat illegal, unreported and unregulated that came into effect aims to put a halt additional procedure to confirm the legality (IUU) fishing. to poaching and the black market- of the timber has been carried out. related trade in endangered wildlife species.

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