WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002

Compiled, edited and designed by: Tim Davis DJEnvironmental Berrynarbor Devon EX34 9TB UK

Picture research: Tim Davis and the WWF-Canon Photolibrary

Printed by: Toptown Printers Ltd, Barnstaple, Devon, UK

Cover photos: Main photo: Wing feathers of a Cuban parrot, Los Indios Ecological Reserve, Cuba (WWF-Canon/Michel Roggo) Top: Atlantic rainforest in Itatiaia National Park, Brazil (WWF-Canon/Michel Gunther) Bottom: Coral reef (WWF/UNEP/TOPHAM/Ezequiel Bece) Back: A freshwater pool at the heart of the Chihuahua Desert, Mexico (WWF-Canon/Edward Parker) Inset: Bayel tribes-people pole mokoros along the channels in the Okavango Delta, Botswana (WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey)

Published in October 2001 by WWF–World Wide Fund For Nature (formerly World Wildlife Fund), Gland, Switzerland. Any reproduction in full or in part of this publication must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright holder.

No photographs from this publication may be reproduced on the World Wide Web without prior authorization from WWF.

The material and the geographical designations in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WWF concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

© text 2001 WWF contents

Introduction ...... ii

WWF’s Global Conservation Priorities ...... 1

Forests ...... 7

Freshwater ...... 19 The view from here — birdwatchers atop a dune in the Chihuahua Desert, Mexico, a Oceans and Coasts...... 29 WWF Global 200 Ecoregion. WWF-Canon/Edward Parker Species...... 39

Climate Change ...... 49

Toxic Chemicals ...... 55

Financial overview...... 60

WWF around the world ...... 61

i introduction

Julian Huxley, Max Nicholson, Guy Mountfort and others. No doubt WWF has not achieved all the successes they may have hoped for, but by following Peter Scott’s maxim for perseverance, the organization has nonetheless contributed significantly to some impressive achievements over the years. Huxley and his colleagues launched what they hortly before publication of this report, called ‘a New Ark’ based on four pillars: WWF celebrated the 40th Anniversary of its founding on 11 September 1961. Four n to preserve before it is too late as much as Sdecades on, WWF has become one of possible of what survives of this natural most respected names in environmental heritage conservation, with an impressive record of success. n to feed the hungry in spirit and the But what does ‘success’ really mean in undernourished in mind and to hand down our conservation terms? natural world intact In September 2000, we produced the third Living Planet Report, a review of the state of the n to learn more about the environment, and world and the human impact upon it. T h e additional data and refined analysis presented in n to gauge and promote any potential economic the report confirms the fact that our planet has lost gain from conservation. approximately one-third of its natural wealth in the last 30 years — during three-quarters of These were indeed far-reaching ideals which W W F ’s life. still influence the organization today. Some of the Conservation is a high-risk business. Not every earliest work focused on species conservation, biome or habitat, or species of animal or plant we using powerful icons such as African rhinos to deal with can be saved, and often the degree of mobilize public support to fight the environmental urgency has to be assessed to decide where to declines that Huxley and his colleagues were place scarce resources and effort in the face of witnessing. WWF has not saved as many species sometimes insurmountable obstacles. And just as we would have wished, and the past 40 years when everything seems to be going in the right has sadly seen many extinctions. However, there direction, events beyond one’s control can are a few notable animals that now have a much suddenly change and put everything at risk again. brighter future as a result of WWF’s support and This sounds fairly disheartening, and sometimes work with partner organizations: it is. However, one of WW F ’ s founders, the late Sir Peter Scott once wrote: "W e shan’t save all we n African rhinos. There are now more rhinos in would like to, but we shall save a great deal more the wild in Africa than at any time since the than if we had never tried". This dogged spirit lives early 1980s — just over 13,000 in 1999, up on within the 3,700 staff that WWF now employs from 8,300 in 1992. around the world — people who are used to a life where two steps forward can often be followed by n Mountain gorillas. Despite war in Rwanda and one or even two frustrating steps backwards. the pressures of shifting refugee populations, I would like to think that the present-day WWF recent reports show numbers of mountain matches the vision of those great names who, gorillas have increased by more than 10 per cent, along with Peter Scott, laid our foundations — Sir growing from 320 to 355 individuals in the wild. ii WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 n Siberian tigers. In the 1930s, Siberian tigers not enough. Over the past decade WWF has were almost extinct; now there are just under established and now supports the work of the 500. Still an endangered species, the major Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to oversee the threats to them are loss of habitat and poaching independent certification of wood and wood for use in traditional Asian medicines. products that come from well-managed forests. To date more than 200 forests covering at least 20 n Iberian lynx. Now found only in fragmented million ha in 35 countries have been habitat in Spain and Portugal, this is the world’s independently certified under the FSC scheme most endangered cat species. In 1995, WWF and and more than 20,000 products worldwide carry partner organizations in 17 European countries the FSC label. In addition, the Global Forest and launched a Large Carnivore Initiative to secure Trade Network, coordinated by W W F, brings the survival of the brown bear, Eurasian and together some 700 companies, including B&Q, Iberian lynx, wolf, and wolverine. Th e I K E A and Home Depot, committed to producing in i t i a t i v e ’ s action plans have been approved by and purchasing forest products from well- the Council of Europe and the Bern Convention. managed forests and to supporting independent certification. These members range from forest n Golden lion tamarin. This is one of the best- owners and timber processors to architects and known forest conservation efforts in Brazil. A home improvement chain stores. strikingly beautiful, squirrel-sized primate that One of the earliest freshwater conservation exists only in the lowland Atlantic forest of the initiatives that WWF engaged in was a grant of state of Rio de Janeiro, the tamarin has US$574,000 to purchase 65km2 of land near the significantly increased in number since 1984 Guadalquivir River in Spain which later led, under due to protection, expansion of habitat, a the guidance of another WWF founder and now reintroduction programme, and the support of Vice-President Emeritus, Dr Luc Hoffmann, to the landowners. Early 2001 marked the birth of the establishment of one of the world’s best known 1,000th golden lion tamarin. However, the wetland protected areas — Doñana. species remains one of the most endangered As with forests, mobilizing the right level of animals on earth. political and public support for freshwater conservation is also important. WWF was a major In order to survive, however, species require supporter of the Ramsar Convention — the their habitats to remain intact. This is why WWF’s Convention on Wetlands of International Importance global conservation priorities focus attention on the — when it was created in 1971. Since then, WW F planet’s three most important biomes: forests, has been working closely with governments under freshwater ecosystems, and oceans and coasts. It is the framework of the convention to conserve in these areas that WWF has made significant wetlands worldwide. Tod a y , 127 nations are contributions over the years. Contracting Parties to the Convention, and more In 1975, WWF launched its than 1,000 wetlands totalling over Siberian tiger. 81 million ha around the world first Tropical Rainforest WWF-Canon/Jean-Louis Klein Campaign which raised funds and have been designated for inclusion helped establish several dozen in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of new national parks or reserves in International Importance. In May Africa, Asia, and South America. 1999, WWF started a special push Since then WWF has helped to protect at least 25 million ha many forest conservation areas more. around the world, supporting Undoubtedly one of the their establishment, maintenance longest running battles for and protection. Only 8 per cent of conservation of the oceans and the world’s forests are currently their resources has centred upon under protection and WWF’s goal the world’s great whales. WWF’s is to reach 40 per cent by 2050. vigorous lobbying culminated in But as long as the world virtually the whole Southern needs wood, simple protection is Ocean being declared a whale

Introduction iii sanctuary in 1994. The sanctuary’s boundary abuts global treaty that calls for the elimination of eight the Indian Ocean Sanctuary’s southern extremity, synthetic chemicals that are toxic to both wildlife together covering around 100 million square and humans. Severe restrictions on the production kilometres and protecting about one-third of the and use, with the ultimate aim of elimination, of a world’s oceans from whaling. Sperm whales and further four are also included in the treaty. The all Southern Hemisphere baleen whales, with the Stockholm Convention is now in the process of exception of the tropical Bryde’s whale, migrate to ratification. the Southern Ocean around Antarctica in summer Here then are a few successes to which WWF to feed. The declaration of the ocean as a whale can claim to have been a significant contributor sanctuary was crucial for allowing the recovery of during its 40-year lifetime. They have all only been these populations, originally the most abundant in made possible through the cooperation and the world, after being decimated by whalers. collaboration with a wide range of partners. WWF is also looking (as the authors of the Will they all hold for a further 40 years? One ‘New Ark’ recommended) at the economic aspects thing is sure, we cannot rest on our laurels. Even of marine conservation. In February 1996, WWF with many successes under our belt we must work and Unilever formed a partnership to create hard to achieve our goals. Continued effo r t , economic incentives for sustainable fishing by working closely with partners, leveraging our establishing the now independent Marine outreach and influencing corporate giants will build Stewardship Council (MSC). Capitalizing on the on past successes. We cannot afford to relax our vast surge of consumer concern about the state of guard. We thought the Kyoto Protocol was safe the planet, the MSC developed the first-ever global until a change in US politics undermined it; we certification standards and labelling scheme for thought Donaña was secure until a mine reservoir sustainable seafood products. The MSC label spilled toxic waste there in 1998; the ongoing provides real market incentive for well-managed ‘s c i e n t i f i c ’ whaling by Japan in the Southern Ocean fisheries all over the world, and at the same time Whale Sanctuary is a continuous threat; we thought gives consumers the chance to use their purchasing that Galapagos was protected until demand for sea- power to favour a healthy, well-balanced marine cucumbers in Asian food markets led to overfishing environment. To date, four fisheries have earned of its waters, while in January 2001 a tanker ran the MSC label. aground there spilling a large amount of diesel fuel. When WWF refined its global conservation It is for these reasons that we view ‘success’ wi t h priorities to meet the challenges of the new caution when assessing the impact of our work. millennium, two of the most all-pervasive and In this year’s report you will find other insidiously invisible threats to the future of the examples of recent achievements by WWF around Earth were included: the spread of toxic chemicals, the world. None would have been possible without and the long-term impacts of climate change. In the help and support of the many thousands of fact, WWF has been working on both issues for a donors, supporters, collaborators, and partners who few years, with some success. have worked with us and helped us in a myriad of In 1997, WWF acted as a key force in the different ways. To each and every one of you, creation and subsequent improvement of the Kyoto WWF is immensely grateful. With your help we Protocol, an international agreement to reduce will persevere in our efforts to leave our chiuldren greenhouse gas emissions to curb global warming. a Living Planet. Recently, WWF has worked hard to attempt to ensure both the environmental integrity of the protocol and its ratification. Despite the political threats to the treaty presented by the withdrawal of the US government, it is now in place and ready for final ratification by those governments who have signed the accord. Chris Hails Similarly, WWF has been involved, through Programme Director lobbying and consultation, in the completion of a WWF International

iv WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 WWF’s global conservation priorities

WF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future Win which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

Black rhino. WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey n conserving the world’s biological diversity n ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and conservation (ecoregions), where WWF will apply its effort and support. n promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Firstly, there is the conservation of the three biomes of Forests, Freshwater Ecosystems, and WWF works to conserve nature and ecological Oceans and Coasts. These contain the bulk of the processes through a combination of action on the world's biodiversity and provide the environmental ground, national and international advocacy work goods and services upon which all life ultimately to establish appropriate policies, and international depends. campaigns to highlight and demonstrate solutions Secondly, WWF has identified a small number to crucial environmental problems, through linking of flagship Species whose conservation is of field and policy work. special concern and which act as powerful icons WWF is a network organization with almost 5 for the conservation of other species and habitats. million regular supporters, over 50 country or And thirdly, WWF has targeted two of the most regional offices and 4 Associate Organizations. By globally pervasive and insidious of the threats to careful application of its resources and expertise, biodiversity: the spread of Toxic Chemicals and and through strategic partnerships with the phenomenon of Climate Change. Both of governments, different sectors of business and these have grave and often invisible impacts upon industry, civil society groups and indigenous the security of all life on Earth. peoples across the world, WWF conducts those For each of the six global issues WWF has activities which are necessary to fulfil its established programmes with clear conservation aspirations and attain its mission. targets that identify those actions required for Through conservation successes in a few well- WWF to achieve its ambitious mission. chosen areas, and effective communication of the results, WWF aims to create the momentum The Global 200 Ecoregions necessary to challenge the root causes of the degradation of our planet’s environment. Biodiversity is not spread evenly across the Earth but follows complex patterns determined by Global issues climate, geology and the evolutionary history of the planet. These patterns are called ‘ecoregions’. To maximize its impact, WWF has chosen a set of WWF has identified the most valuable and global priorities for its work. These priorities cover sometimes vulnerable ecoregions in the world six globally important issues, and some of the which best represent the breadth of biodiversity most important places in the world for biodiversity and ecological processes. The list of priority

WWF’s Global Conservation Priorities 1 ecoregions identified by WWF integrating the six issues with n By 2005, at least 20 forest scientists is known as ‘The other conservation approaches, landscape restoration Global 200 Ecoregions’ (see addressing the full range of initiatives underway in the map opposite). socio-economic factors which world’s threatened, The Global 200 recognize the are the root cause of biodiversity deforested or degraded forest fact that, whilst tropical forests loss, leading to concrete regions to enhance ecological and coral reefs harbour the most conservation solutions. integrity and human well- biodiversity and are the being. traditional targets of Global conservation targets conservation organizations, Freshwater Ecosystems unique manifestations of nature Forests are found in temperate and All life on Earth is dependent boreal regions, in deserts and WWF’s vision for forests is for upon water, yet as a resource mountain chains, which occur the world to have more water has been treated thus far nowhere else on Earth and extensive, more diverse and as having unlimited supply. which risk being lost for ever if higher quality forest landscapes Many places, however, are now they are not conserved. which will meet human needs water stressed, where demand WWF has selected a subset and aspirations fairly, while outstrips annual supply. Healthy of the Global 200 where it is conserving biological diversity freshwater wetlands the world best placed to carry out and fulfilling the ecosystem over will enhance the quality of conservation programmes at an functions necessary for all life life, but this will only be ecoregional scale. WWF on Earth. achieved when nature is encourages others to tackle the To achieve this, WWF’s recognized and valued as the challenges of conserving the Forests for Life Programme source of water. remaining priority ecoregions. aims to halt and reverse the loss The goal of WWF's Living and degradation of forests and Waters Programme is to Relationship between the all kinds of woodlands conserve and restore freshwater global issues and worldwide. This will require the ecosystems and their processes ecoregions establishment of forest protected for the benefit of people and areas; sustainable management wildlife. To achieve this There is a clear synergy both of unprotected forests; requires a holistic approach to between and amongst these two restoration of degraded forests; freshwater management sets of priorities. The six global minimizing forest loss due to through integrating ecological issues are a set of globally climate change and pollution; concerns with basic human important processes which are and responsible trade in forest needs and cultures; promotion WWF’s priorities for products. of the conservation of conservation action; the Global Three global targets have freshwater ecosystems and their 200 identify those large been set: processes by emphasizing landscapes WWF has prioritized management of entire water for broad-based conservation n By 2010, the establishment catchments; and maximizing action. and maintenance of viable, beneficial impacts and Work on the global issues representative networks of minimizing detrimental impacts both inside and outside protected areas in the world’s on freshwater resources and ecoregions, for example in the threatened and most e c o s y s t e m s . area of sustainable forest biologically significant forest Three global targets have management or improving the regions been set: way in which fresh water is used in agriculture, will support the n By 2005, 100 million ha of n By 2010, 250 million ha of conservation of ecoregions. certified forests, distributed high-priority freshwater Conservation of the Global 200 in a balanced manner among ecosystems worldwide are will address the long-term regions, forest types and land protected and/or sustainably security of their biodiversity by tenure regimes managed

2 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 WWF’s Global Conservation Priorities 3 n By 2010, ecological ecological processes, and as processes are maintained or indicators of the health of restored in at least 50 large natural places. catchment areas of high The species and species biodiversity importance groups which form the focus of this programme are: African and n By 2010, private sector Asian elephants, African and practices and related Asian rhinoceroses, the giant government policies panda, great apes, great whales, concerning key water-using marine turtles, and the tiger. sectors are established and/or Two global targets have been changed in order to sustain set: the integrity of the freshwater ecosystems on which they n By 2010, populations of key depend and/or impact. species of global concern are stabilized or increased and Oceans and Coasts their critical habitats safeguarded To keep and restore the enormous riches of the world’s n By 2010, at least ten species oceans, governments, of global concern are no communities, environmentalists, longer endangered by Mountain gorilla. industries and other interest WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey overexploitation. groups around the world must work closely together. It is exploited sustainably and, by WWF articulates its species essential that we use our oceans 2020, halve the number of conservation work through and coasts wisely for the benefit fish stocks that are Species Action Plans and of current and future overexploited or depleted, as influencing the decisions made generations. currently categorized by by the Convention on Through its Endangered Seas FAO. International Trade in Programme, WWF approaches Endangered Species of Wild the conservation of oceans and Species Fauna and Flora (CITES) and coasts by promoting globally the the International Whaling establishment of a system of WWF’s vision is a world in Commission (IWC). At the heart marine protected areas, and by which the intrinsic, aesthetic, of this work lies the concept of the introduction of measures to economic and ecological values species viability and the ensure that fishing is carried out of species are recognized and corresponding need to conserve in a sustainable manner. respected worldwide and that, as wildlife in managed landscapes Two global targets have been a result, environmental large enough and varied enough set: degradation and unsustainable to ensure their long-term well- use no longer threaten the being within contexts n By 2020, the establishment survival of wild plants and increasingly dominated by social and implementation of a animals and their crucial and economic concerns. network of effectively habitats. An issue of wide concern in managed, ecologically WWF’s Species Conservation species conservation is the representative marine Programme seeks to conserve international commercial trade protected areas covering at viable populations of selected in endangered species. Jointly least 10 per cent of the species that are of particular with IUCN–The World world’s seas conservation concern. Whilst Conservation Union, WWF runs important in their own right, the TRAFFIC (Trade Records n Maintain the status of all fish species are also critical for the Analysis of Flora and Fauna in stocks that are currently maintenance of fundamental Commerce) programme whose

4 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 mission is to ensure that trade in principle’will be used as the reduction below 1990 wild plants and animals is not a basic approach. emissions in industrialized threat to the conservation of country carbon dioxide nature. Climate Change emissions

Toxic Chemicals W W F ’s hopes that, by 2030, n By 2010, initiatives should be the supply and use of energ y underway in thirty developing Within one generation, by 2020, and raw materials will have countries to implement solutions leading to a WWF would like to see an end been transformed, and that significant reduction in carbon to threats to the Earth’s policy-makers, the private in t e n s i t y , in particular from the biological diversity from toxic s e c t o r, and investors — driven combustion of fossil fuels industrial chemicals and by pressure from civil society pesticides, especially endocrine — will have taken action to n By 2010, fifty countries are disrupting, bioaccumulative, or reduce carbon dioxide implementing adaptation persistent chemicals. emissions and curb human- strategies in key In pursuit of this vision, induced global warming. Only ecoregions/biomes and WWF’s Toxic Chemicals in this way can serious damage sectors of their economies on Programme investigates toxic to the world’s most important the basis of national plans for chemicals and their relationship areas from climate change be the reduction of vulnerability to biodiversity and human a v o i d e d . to climate change. health; works to phase out and WWF’s Climate Change ban chemicals that threaten life; Programme aims to ensure that Ecoregion action and seeks to identify and industrialized nations achieve a p r o g r a m m e s promote safe, effective, and permanent downward trend in affordable alternatives. their domestic emissions of In addition to the six Two global targets have been carbon dioxide as a first step programmes outlined above, set: towards substantial reductions in WWF has identified and emissions. chosen to work in a subset of n By 2007, eliminate or reduce Three global targets have 77 individual or combined at least 30 of the most been set: ecoregions. To guide this work hazardous industrial WWF will follow the principles established for ecoregion chemicals and pesticides, n By 2010, a 10 per cent with special emphasis on conservation (see box on page persistent organic pollutants 6). Our ultimate goal is to (POPs) and endocrine conserve the full array of disrupting chemicals (EDCs) biodiversity of each of these special areas. Using current information, and in conjunction n By 2007, scientific, educational and regulatory with partners, each ecoregional action programme will initiatives will be firmly in establish a vision for the long- place, enabling decision- term conservation of the makers (governments, e c o r e g i o n ’s biodiversity, and a industry, consumers) to make set of targets which need to be informed choices about toxic achieved to reach that vision. chemicals and their These targets will address the alternatives. full range of socio-economic change necessary within the These targets will be ecoregion and will also integrated into WWF’s work on contribute to the achievement the other global issues, as well of the targets of the six as the Global 200 Ecoregions. In globally important issues. all cases the ‘precautionary

WWF’s Global Conservation Priorities 5 Delivering conservation — how WWF works Principles of Ecoregion Conservation

1. WW F ’ s primary purpose is the conservation of biodiversity, which The principles which outline is the foundation for a future where humans live in harmony with the rationale of ecoregion na t u r e . conservation will be the principles which guide and 2. Ecoregions are the appropriate geographical unit for setting direct W W F ’s ecoregional conservation goals; they represent an ambitious and visionary action plans. These plans will scale necessary for biodiversity conservation. employ the tried and tested 3. Sharing ideas, promoting learning processes at different scales, methods that WWF has used and practising adaptive management are critical to rapid success. over the years — e.g. protected 4. WWF must be flexible in its outlook and be willing to adapt its area establishment, own structures and operations to the needs of conservation in the environmental education, ec o r e g i o n . capacity building, advocacy for 5. Ecoregion conservation programmes should develop a vision for policy change — but on a an ecoregion, which is bold, engaging and ambitious to set geographically larger scale and directions and arouse support. This vision should contain an engaging a broader range of inspirational message to motivate and engage stakeholders and issues and partners than ever pa r t n e r s . before. In addition, as we analyse the pressures bearing Principles related to implementation upon ecoregions, certain ‘ c o m m o n ’ problems will 6. Ecoregion conservation plans must be flexible and allow for e m e rge, such as adverse trade sound judgement when a change of course or tactic is necessary. rules, perverse subsidies which 7. Op e r a t i o n a l l y , implementation may take place at levels below the drive agricultural expansion or ecoregional scale, or outside the ecoregion, depending on the resource depletion, and other issue under attention. Threats analysis is an essential filter for socio-economic issues. W W F, figuring out the scale at which we should act. together with its conservation 8. Personal initiative and effective, empowered leadership are vital. partners, will address these Appropriate emphasis must be placed on training and capacity problems on a global basis as bu i l d i n g . they occur. 9. Knowing who and when to engage in strategic partnerships In addition to the work throughout the entire ecoregion process is crucial to realize the undertaken in these vision. This may include partnerships with stakeholders who geographically specific represent a critical constituency but who may not normally be activities, short-term campaigns seen as conservation allies. will be carried out to help the 10 . An inspiring vision must be combined with up-to-date reporting programme focusing on the and transparency of goals, actions and achievements in order to global issues to reach their build the commitment and ownership of partners to stay actively t a rgets. These campaigns will en g a g e d . be an integrated set of 11. Clear objectives and precise conservation targets are needed to innovative and high-profile guide, focus and monitor progress. international activities carried 12 . Long-term flexible financing must be focused at an ecoregional out to achieve a specific level (rather than site level) to give the programme a confident conservation target within a start and to maintain it. Novel and ambitious financial defined timeframe. mechanisms that go beyond traditional WWF support must be actively pursued. 13 . All conservation activities must be conceived and implemented in relation to the social and political realities in which they take place. 14 . Appropriate institutional development is necessary to strengthen advocacy at several scales. This includes the harnessing of the full power of the WWF Network and key partners to make the most of political and high publicity opportunities.

6 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 forests

espite the significant achieveme made by WWF in forest conservation over the past 40 D years, the world’s forest landscapes continue to deteriorate. More than ever we need to reach out to new and existing partners to form a powerful, global alliance to reverse the trends that are bringing the world’s forests to the brink of ruin. In addition to our current partners, such Mixed boreal forest along the Pechora River, Komi State, Russia. as the World Bank, IUCN–The Wo r l d WWF-Canon/Hartmut Jungius C o n s e rvation Union and the Fore s t S t e w a rdship Council (FSC), we need to work with other NGOs, labour unions, and Global highlights consumer groups if we are to succeed in tackling the threats to forests posed by n Following Romania’s decision to move ineffective or inadequate government towards certification of its forest policies and the disastrous practices of landscapes, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, some irresponsible members of the timber Hungary, Latvia, Russia and Slovakia are i n d u s t ry. also set to pursue FSC certification of their WWF’s new targets for protecting, managed forests. managing, certifying and restoring forests will n Turkey committed to increase its protected help to bring together the people and areas network by 50 per cent, announcing resources needed for effective long-term the Kure Mountains National Park and, by action. 2005, protection for eight other priority In particular, our work on forest landscape forest areas totalling 250,000 hectares. restoration brings the opportunity to work n The government of Cameroon committed with people and aid agencies in the fight more than US$10 million to an Emergency against poverty. Action Plan focusing on the control of illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife Chris Elliott resources, involvement of local communities in forest management, and Director, WWF Forests for Life Programme cross-border initiatives.

n The government of Bhutan designated 12 W W F ’s vision for forests biological corridors, totalling 3,828km 2, linking several of the country’s forest WWF’s vision for the world’s forests protected areas. (developed jointly with IUCN–The World Conservation Union) is for a world with n The government of Georgia pledged to more extensive, more diverse and higher protect 15 per cent of its forests by 2010, representing a 50 per cent increase in the quality forest landscapes that will meet area of forest currently protected. human needs and aspirations fairly, while conserving biological diversity and fulfilling n The area of FSC-certified forest in the the ecosystem functions necessary for all Brazilian Amazon rose to 870,511 life on Earth. hectares.

Forests 7 Ta r g e t s markets (target 3) are examples (1.3%); Palawan moist forests of this. (1.4%); Philippines moist forests To achieve its vision for forests, Particular attention will be (1.8%); Southern Mexican dry WWF’s Forests for Life paid to issues which cut across forests (2.1%); and East African Programme has set three global the targets, whether they are mangroves (2.2%). The results targets: threats (forest fires, illegal were derived by calculating the logging, climate change), policy proportion of the current area of n By 2010, the establishment issues (subsidies, trade barriers, forest protected within each and maintenance of viable, investment flows) or Global 200 ecoregion. representative networks of opportunities (community forest Gifts to the Earth, developed protected areas in the world’s management). by WWF as a means of receiving threatened and most and recognizing conservation biologically significant forest Forest conservation commitments by governments, regions h i g h l i g h t s business and industry, or ganizations or individuals, n By 2005, 100 million ha of Overview continues to prove an effe c t i v e certified forests, distributed means of achieving protection of in a balanced manner among WWF has developed the most the Earth’s forests. At a high- regions, forest types and land widely utilized management level event hosted by HRH Th e tenure regimes assessment tool in the world. Duke of Edinburgh at St James’s The ‘Rapid Assessment and Palace in London in April 2001, n By 2005, at least 20 forest Prioritization Methodology’ is two significant new Gifts were landscape restoration being used in Russia to assess announced. Mrs Nino initiatives underway in the over 200 protected areas, while Chkhobadze, Minister of wo r l d ’ s threatened, deforested in South Africa, the well- Environment for Georgi a , or degraded forest regions to respected KwaZulu Natal Nature received a Gift to the Earth enhance ecological integrity Conservation Service is using certificate on behalf of President and human well-being. the system to assess 110 Eduard Shevernadze for protected areas. Plans are well committing his government to These targets are a challenge advanced to assess the natural protect 15 per cent of existing to the world. WWF cannot reserve, regional and national forest cover in Georgia by 2010. achieve them alone, but needs to parks in France and protected This will represent a 50 per cent inspire and mobilize multiple areas in China. increase in the area of forest partners, using a diversity of An analysis by WWF of currently protected in the tools. While WWF’s aim will forest protection in Global 200 co u n t r y . At the same event, the remain constant, the approach ecoregions showed that the Turkish government announced will vary from region to region majority of these important areas the declaration of the Kure to respond to local realities, with — rich in habitats and rare Mountains as a National Park a particular effort to protect, species, and natural processes and also made a commitment to manage and restore forests in that support life — remain protect eight other priority forest focal Global 200 forest vulnerable to deforestation and areas (totalling 250,000ha) by ecoregions. degradation. The study 2005. This Gift increased the The targets can also be highlighted the world’s ten most protected areas network in interpreted in the context of vulnerable forest ecoregions as: Turkey by 50 per cent. reducing the ecological footprint Southern Pacific Islands WWF and the Certified of developed countries on the (currently with only 0.2% Forest Products Council (CFPC) rest of the world. Certification protection); Naga-Manapuri- gave enthusiastic backing to the of tropical timber imports to Chin Hills (0.8%); Solomons- Xylem Rainforest Fund (XRF) improve forest management Vanuatu-Bismarck moist forests after it stated its commitment to (target 2) and a reduction of (1%); Cameroon Highlands invest in certified forest conversion of forests to (1%); Gulf of Guinea mangroves management companies agricultural uses for export (1.1%), Madagascar mangroves recognized by the Forest

8 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 Stewardship Council (FSC). The Xylem Rainforest Fund is a new Conserving ecoregions investment vehicle targeting forest management companies Tropical forests in the Greater Annamites throughout the tropics and subtropics. To ensure that its The chain of mountains that extends along the border between Laos and Vietnam marks the eastern boundary of the final investments meet the highest stages of the Mekong River and characterizes the Greater international standards for Annamites ecoregion. The forests and rivers support a rich responsible business practice, diversity of animals and plants, such as tiger, Asian elephant, XRF has committed to the strict gibbons, the highly endangered Javan rhinoceros, and several environmental, social and species discovered only in recent years, like douc langur, one of economic criteria laid down by the world’s most beautiful and endangered primates. the FSC. The target fund size is For people, the forests are an important natural resource for two US$500 million. With this countries recovering from years of social turmoil and economic commitment, XRF joins the collapse. Areas are converted for agriculture, forests are felled Global Forest and Trade for timber, and dams are constructed to provide energy. Such Network coordinated by WWF. activities are putting increasing pressure on the region’s natural The network now boasts more wealth. However, the governments of both Laos and Vietnam are committed to sustainable development and are making than 700 member companies or efforts to ensure economic growth does not take place at the organizations worldwide. These expense of the natural resource base. groups are dedicated to sourcing, producing and Among the greatest threats to the richness of the Greater investing in independently Annamites are the exceptionally high levels of hunting, wildlife certified products from well- trade and plant collection. Traditional use of the forests for food, medicine and shelter have become increasingly managed forests. commercialized, with many plants and animals taken to supply If the ten global companies large markets in China and elsewhere. Unless control measures that dominate the timber are taken, Asiatic black and sun bears, elephants, pangolins, industry were to adopt FSC tigers, turtles and other species risk becoming extinct in the wild management processes, the in the Annamites within the current generation. growing demand of the world’s To address these threats, the two countries have established consumers for wood products protected areas throughout the Greater Annamites. The could continue to be met from management of these areas is now under extensive review to as little as 600 million ha of ensure that they are providing effective shelter. To further halt forest — an area about twice the the loss of forests, the Vietnamese government has also placed size of India, or one-fifth of the a ban on the export of timber and launched an ambitious world’s forests. This is the programme to establish an additional five million ha of forest landscapes. WWF is assisting with the development of a assessment of a WWF report conservation programme for the entire ecoregion, in partnership launched in March 2001 entitled with both governments and other stakeholders. The Forest Industry in the 21st Century. Such support for the An old woman collecting To date, major assessments FSC approach would provide firewood in the Central have been made of the Annamites. WWF/Tran Viet Duc the critical mass necessary to biological importance of the ecoregion and the socio- change forestry practices economic threats and worldwide, and bring to a halt opportunities for conservation the destruction of old-growth success. These planning forests and the degradation of exercises have been matched fragile forest ecosystems. by field projects aimed at improving management of Among the ten companies listed natural resources by local by WWF are International communities and promoting Paper, Georgia Pacific, practices that will not exhaust Weyerhaeuser, Stora-Enso, and the forest resource. Smurfit Stone Container, which

Forests 9 between them process around 20 Africa and Madagascar per cent of the world’s industrial wood. The five largest wood Thirty-four percent of WWF’s buyers are Home Depot, Lowes, conservation investment in IKEA, Kimberly-Clark, and Africa is spent on forests, Proctor & Gamble. Home focusing on protected area Depot, Lowes, and IKEA management, policy and already actively support FSC advocacy work, sustainable and Stora-Enso has FSC forest management, and local certification for its forests in community initiatives. The past Sweden. WWF is calling on the year has been one of remaining processors and buyers concentrated and sustained to seek full FSC certification conservation effort in forest and to take the lead in saving work, resulting in significant the world’s forests. (A copy of conservation achievements in all the full report is available on The first ever FSC-certified tree to sub-regions. www.panda.org/forestandtrade) be felled in Austria, in Freibach Forest conservation Forest, Corinthie, in October 2000. In addition to its targets for WWF-Austria activities in Central A f r i c a forest pro t e c t i o n an d continued to be scaled up ma n a g e m e n t , WWF has adopted project ‘Forests Reborn’: through implementation of the a third target that concentrates "Under its new strategy, the Western Congo Basin Moist on the res t o r a t i o n of lost or Bank will support … and make Forest ecoregion action degraded forests. Forest significant contributions to programme, the most important landscape restoration brings a forest landscape restoration. activity for which was the new approach to the The Bank can take advantage of development of a vision for the conservation of the world’s the vast experience future. The vision covered the forests: restoring forest accumulated... and further entire Congo basin forests, functionality for the benefit of a develop the concept through the taking in not only the We s t e r n vast range of stakeholders, Congo Basin ecoregion, but emerging Forests Reborn including future generations. also three other ecoregions: the initiative developed jointly with Restoration is not only about NE Congo Basin Moist Forests, bilateral donors, WWF, IUCN, tree-planting but about restoring Central Congo Basin Moist and other organizations". WWF the goods and services that Forests, and the Congolian is also seeking close forests provide. It will include Coastal Forest. The biological collaboration with institutions natural regeneration, managing vision resulted from a scientific such as the Centre for and enriching ‘non-productive’ analysis of patterns in plant and International Forestry Research secondary forests, improving the animal life, ecological quality of degraded forests, in (CIFOR) and the UK’s Overseas requirements, and trends in some situations by encouraging Development Institute (ODI). biodiversity loss in the Congo the use of beneficial agroforestry Forest landscape restoration Basin carried out by biologists, systems, and planting trees when projects are already underway in conservation specialists, appropriate. The new approach two freshwater ecosystems: the government representatives, will be particularly beneficial to Kinabatangan Floodplain in local NGOs and other WW F ’ s conservation efforts in Sabah, Malaysia, and the Lower stakeholders. It represents the ec o r e g i o n s . Danube Islands in Bulgaria. In first step towards the A network of forest both cases the entire watershed development of a conservation landscape practitioners across a is the ‘landscape’ being used for action plan for the entire range of partner organizations planning purposes. WWF is complex of ecoregions. has been set up. These include taking the landscape approach in A significant achievement the World Bank, which, in its its forest restoration work in following on from this was the new Forest Strategy, explicitly China, East Africa, and the adoption at an Experts’ Meeting refers to the joint WWF/IUCN Mediterranean. in Cameroon of the principle of

10 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 ecoregion conservation and of patrols and enforcement have possibility of merging the three WWF’s biodiversity vision map been strengthened, and external protected areas into a single for the Congo Basin. This audits of the logging sector have Sangha National Park covering decision was taken to prepare led to fines and suspension for some 2 million ha. the agenda for the first companies not conforming to The current focus of WWF’s Ministerial Meeting to evaluate their licence requirements. Some forest work in West Africa is on progress since the ‘Yaoundé 20 new forest concessions advocating for conservation Declaration’of March 1999. attributed in a clearer and more action in the Guinean Moist The concept of ecoregion transparent process give hope Forest ecoregion in partnership conservation for the Congo for change from past practices in with the region’s governments Basin’s forests has therefore Cameroon. and other international NGOs become not only WWF’s Significant progress was such as Conservation agenda, but also that of Central also made on the development International, BirdLife African governments. of a tri-national park between International, and Flora and The Permanent Evaluation Lobeke in Cameroon, Fauna International (FFI). Committee, established by the Nouabalé-Ndoki in the In Madagascar, W W F government of Cameroon to Republic of Congo, and maintained support for the ensure that conservation Dzanga-Ndoki in the Central g o v e r n m e n t ’s strategy to commitments are followed up African Republic, with the strengthen the country’s within the country, adopted an Emergency Action Plan to address issues in the forestry Protecting larger landscapes in Gabon and wildlife sectors. A highly positive initiative to which the By linking landscapes across national frontiers, protected areas can contribute to effective forest conservation at a much larger, government has committed an ecoregional scale. The DGIS-WWF Tropical Forest Portfolio is estimated US$10.8 million, the contributing to developing this approach in three countries: Plan focuses on the control of Gabon, Cameroon, and Congo. illegal exploitation of forest and wildlife resources, involvement The 30,000km2 Minkébé Forest in north-east Gabon is probably of local communities in forest the largest intact rainforest block left in the Western Congo management, and cross-border Basin Moist Forests ecoregion in Central Africa. In 1997, the Gabonese government made a Gift to the Earth by designating initiatives. 6,000km2 of this wilderness stronghold as a forest reserve, Cameroon has also gazetted prohibiting logging. For the reserve to be seen to conserve two new National Parks — natural processes in a global context, an ecoregional approach Campo-Maan (254,964ha) and is being pursued that will link conservation efforts across Mbam et Djerem (416,964ha) national borders. This requires coordinated efforts at national, — bringing the total of forest landscape and site levels. protected areas to 1,651,400ha At the national level it will mean knowing that key policy (some 3.5% of the national decisions are made in the national and provincial capitals; the territory or 8.25% of the humid project is actively engaging partners in these strategic places. forest zone). The government At the landscape level, DGIS-WWF and its partners ECOFAC has also agreed to merge (‘Ecosystèmes Forestiers d'Afrique Centrale’ — a regional Boumba Bek and Nki forests to programme of the European Union) and PRGIE (‘Programme Régional de Gestion de l'Information Environnementale’ — a protect the corridor between regional programme of the World Bank), in collaboration with them, forming a single protected the various government agencies, are currently creating a trans- area of 750,000ha. border complex of protected areas and management zones in Arguably the most important the Gabon-Congo-Cameroon border region, where Minkébé is development in Cameroon one of the cornerstones. And at the site level, an effective patrolling service has been established in which teams led by resulting from the Yaoundé well-qualified people are able to discuss knowledgeably issues Declaration is the very positive with resource users and authorities, as well as collect biological reforms in the forest and and socio-economic information. wildlife sectors. Anti-poaching

Forests 11 protected area network, backed by public environmental Conserving ecoregions awareness programmes. During the past year, WWF supported Temperate forests in the Caucasus development of village forest management plans involving Located where the continents of Europe and Asia meet, the Caucasus ecoregion forms a strip of land between the Black local communities. Six of these and Caspian Seas covering 440,000km2 and five countries: have since been approved by Armenia, Azerbaidzan, Georgia, Russia, and Turkey. Here, plant the Madagascan Forest and animal species from Europe, Central Asia and the Middle Service, and project staff and East, and North Africa mingle with endemics found nowhere the villagers are currently else. Some 1,600 plant species are unique to this part of the working on contracts to world. Among fauna are curiosities such as the long-clawed transfer management of village mole-vole and the rare Caucasian leopard. Widespread throughout the Caucasus a century ago, this big cat is now near forests to local people. extinction. Training in selective logging will be given, with the first From a biodiversity standpoint, forest landscapes are the most monetary returns from the sale important feature of the Caucasus, covering approximately 20 of selectively harvested wood per cent of the ecoregion. They range from broadleaf, dark coniferous, pine, and open woodlands, to floodplain forests. expected within a year. T h e Formerly widespread in the lower mountain slopes and legal transfer of management lowlands, they have receded as land has been cleared for responsibility and the agriculture and grazing. economic benefits derived should help to convince other Since the collapse of the Soviet Union a decade ago, the villages of the potential people of the Caucasus have faced severe economic crises, resulting in an expansion of illegal logging and trade in timber benefits of the forest, and lead and other resources, and a dependence by local communities to a decrease in forest clearing. on firewood for fuel that is between 200 and 300 per cent In East Africa, WWF higher than in the 1980s. Poaching has increased significantly, continued to support ongoing affecting animals such as leopard, brown bear, bison, red deer, projects within the Albertine and ibex. Rift Montane Forest ecoregion, WWF’s vision is to improve the protected areas network in the while exploring opportunities to Caucasus ecoregion in order to conserve the remaining scale up and integrate individual populations of plants and animals. New protected areas have protection activities into a single been established and existing ones extended. The successful conservation plan for the whole establishment of the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park has ecoregion. In the coming year, been the result of a long-term cooperation between Georgia’s activities will be scaled up Department of Protected Areas, the German aid agency ‘Kreditanstalt fuer within the Inhambane Coastal Wiederaufbau’ (KfW) and Forests ecoregion, which WWF’s Georgia Project Office extends over the four countries in Tbilisi. of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique. From its base in the Georgian Interventions by the capital, WWF conducts its ecoregional operations. International Gorilla Activities include promotion of Conservation Programme FSC certification, the (IGCP) — a partnership between conservation of cultural and WW F , the African Wil d l i f e natural heritage, promoting Foundation and FFI — saved 5 environmental awareness in per cent of the ‘Parc des schools and education centres, and training Vol c a n s ’ in Rwanda (the home programmes for journalists, of the mountain gorilla) from teachers and decision-makers. Ibex. WWF-Canon/Helmut Diller imminent conversion to farmland for smallholders. IGCP

12 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 undertook sensitive lobbying at preparing assessment and chain the highest level in Rwanda, of custody documents for field highlighting the ecological and inspections. economic importance of the park Elsewhere, WWF-Japan at national and international helped the 1,070ha Hayami levels. IGCP was also successful Forest, south-east of Osaka, to in preventing the construction of become the first Japanese forest a road that would have bisected to earn FSC certification. It also the park. assisted with the training of In Tanzania, WWF supported certification assessors. WWF- the development of management New Zealand is currently plans for three forest reserves, working on fundraising, including the newly gazetted standards development, and Zaraninge Local Authority Forest expanding industry interest in Reserve — the biggest stretch of the FSC. In China, WWF co- coastal forest in the country, Quiver tree and wildflowers in the hosted the first-ever covering 17,869ha. Three new Geogab Nature Reserve, Western international certification Cape, South Africa. sacred (ka y a ) forests covering WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey conference, while in Hong Kong about 447ha were designated as WWF has been working on the National Monuments in Kenya Asia and the Pacific market side of forest during the year. This brings the certification, attempting to total number of protected ka y a Over the last 30 years, the create a forest trade network. forests to 43, covering a total area Asia/Pacific region has lost 30 And in Vietnam, community of 3,000ha. per cent of its forest cover. involvement in conservation Despite the unsettled Given this high rate of forest was stepped up through forest political situation in Zimbabwe, loss, it is perhaps appropriate projects focusing on enrichment 2,500,000ha of wildlife areas in that WWF concentrates a higher planting, buffer zones, and the Campfire districts were percentage of its Asia/Pacific resource mapping. maintained, while 900,300ha of resources on forest conservation Within the Philippine Moist Zambezian woodlands and (45%) than it does on the other Forests ecoregion, the DGIS- miombo forest were established issues of global importance. The WWF Tropical Forest Portfolio as new communal forests of Indochina, Malaysia, project on Sibuyan Island is conservancies in the Caprivi Indonesia, and the South Pacific focusing its efforts on province of Namibia. T h i s form the principal focus. community organizing to bring brings the total area of In Indochina, WWF has about sustainable alternative conservancies in Namibia to heightened the awareness of and livelihoods for thousands of 2,253,700ha. interest for FSC standards disgruntled islanders who have WWF’s work in southern among policy-makers, local lost access to land due to the Africa also takes in the Fynbos authorities and industry, creation of the Mt Guiting- ecoregion (see page 42). Here, contributing also to proposed Guiting Nature Park. Indigenous the major achievement in the national standards for forestry in communities consisting of over past year has been the Vietnam. Several new 400 families reside in and around completion of the Cape Action enterprises are now interested in Mt Guiting-Guiting. Akey aspect Plan for the Environment acquiring FSC certification. to providing these communities (CAPE). The Plan is the result WWF-Malaysia has been with sustainable alternatives to of two years of analysis, very active in its forest illegal forest cutting and clearing consultation and planning, certification efforts, striving to is defining and delineating their coordinated and managed on promote FSC in the country and ancestral domains and obtaining behalf of the South African harmonizing FSC standards with legal rights over them. WW F , in government by WWF-South the national certification collaboration with An t h r o p o l o g y Africa and involving a wide standard (MC&I) for greater Watch, the Legal As s i s t a n c e range of stakeholders. market acceptance, as well as Centre for Indigenous Filipinos

Forests 13 and the Philippine As s o c i a t i o n declared a 900 sq km extension forest in Dhorpatan Hunting for Intercultural Development, to the Royal Bardia National Reserve. has assisted the Si b u y a n Park as a Gift to the Earth. The In Pakistan, the DGIS-WWF Mangyan Tag a b u k i d in their extension will afford more Tropical Forest Portfolio has application for a Certificate of protection to wildlife and better been primarily focusing its Ancestral Domain Title and the watershed management in the e fforts on replanting mangroves formulation of their An c e s t r a l fragile Churia Hills. Also in and bringing these forested Domain Sustainable Bardia, which lies within the areas under sustainable Development and Protection Eastern Himalayas ecoregion community management. Plan. complex, community-managed H o w e v e r, it became apparent by Local communities in schemes at 12 sites helped analysing the root causes of Malaysia became involved in regenerate 568ha of natural biodiversity loss in Pakistan’s WWF work to develop forests, while community user mangrove ecosystems that the ecotourism in the highland groups protected 1,400ha of greatest impacts were from forests of Ulu Padas. WWF- Indonesia meanwhile focused efforts to improve people’s livelihoods and economic Conserving and valuing places where nature, outlook in several national culture and people meet parks, and in developing Village One of the most recurrent preoccupations of conservation Conservation Agreements in organizations and protected area managers has for a long time dozens of villages in Sumatra been how to reconcile nature conservation with meeting the and Kalimantan. And in Papua needs of people living in or around protected areas, or in other New Guinea, WWF involved fragile, important ecosystems. As poverty strikes most of the communities in the development priority conservation areas within the Global 200 Ecoregions, of a community-based forestry this becomes even more pressing, because long-term conservation is not possible where people have no security of and conservation project. meeting day-to-day survival challenges. Increasingly, WWF offices are playing a significant role in Ecotourism has been promoted as a primary tool for addressing the conservation decision- the conservation-and-people interface at the community level in making of governments and those areas. For more than a decade, WWF has been major donors. The Asian monitoring ecotourism and nature-oriented tourism developments, and has more than once drawn attention to the Development Bank, for instance, threats and impacts they pose to nature when not properly asked the WWF Indochina office planned and implemented. However, under certain to take part in the Forestry circumstances, tourism can be a positive tool for conservation Sector Review in Cambodia. In and sustainable development. Malaysia, WWF was appointed to the country’s National Timber Over the last few years, community-based ecotourism has become an increasingly important facet of WWF’s projects the Certification Council, assisted world over, for example in the Arctic, southern Africa, Brazil, the Economic Planning Unit in Central and Eastern Europe, and Malaysia. In all these places, developing an integrated land- WWF has become a visible player in the drive towards use plan in the Peninsular’s ecologically sustainable and socially beneficial ecotourism with Main Range, and was invited by local communities. Realizing the relevance of this issue for the government to help identify conservation of forests, freshwater ecosystems, and marine and coastal areas, as well as the growing relevance it has as a national conservation priorities component of ecoregion conservation plans, WWF has for the next ten years. In developed a database on worldwide expertise on ecotourism, Indonesia, WWF’s Wallacea and a set of guidelines on community-based ecotourism. In Programme was made a member addition, a series of tourism policy papers addresses such of the Provincial Steering fundamental subjects as climate change and tourism; tourism certification; and trade, tourism and the environment. Training Committee for integrated coastal approaches and other materials are also in the pipeline. management in Bali. In Nepal, the government

14 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 activities ‘upstream’ from where ‘Forest Futures Programme’, certification scheme currently the project is working. launched in September 2000 to available at a global scale. Pollution, the diminishing promote changes in policies and Whilst other certification supply of freshwater due to practices for sensitive schemes have been developed in agriculture, and management of timber-p r o d u c i n g Europe, especially the Pan- overexploitation of fish stocks woodlands, campaigns will be European Forest Certification were identified as the carried out to promote FSC scheme (PEFC), they are mainly constraining factors. Currently, certification and fight against supported by representative e fforts to conserve the mangrove forests of Balochistan, and the livelihoods that depend on them, are being negatively impacted by these factors. WWF-Pakistan is now working with local and national government authorities to address the issues of pollution, agricultural policy and illegal fishing while continuing with its work at the community level, e ffectively linking its field- based programme with regional and national policy initiatives. The government of Bhutan announced as a Gift to the Earth The WWF wetlands centre at Sandspit, Sindh, Pakistan, helps to raise the designation of 12 biological awareness of the importance of mangrove forests. corridors, totalling 3,828km2, linking several of the country’s illegal logging. Also on the organizations of European protected areas. agenda is development of a private forest owners who fear Au s t r a l i a ’ s Federal Tax a t i o n Forest Trade Network for the that stronger FSC guidelines Law Amendment Act No. 8 was Asia/Pacific region. Regional could interfere with their enacted, providing substantially ef forts will also focus on members’ usual forestry greater tax incentives for the decreasing As i a ’ s ‘footprint’— practices. Through in-depth donation of land of conservation its impact on the Earth and its analyses and regional reviews, importance to conservation natural resources — particularly WWF has countered PEFC or ganizations. Ad d i t i o n a l l y , the timber consumption in China and claims of guaranteed good forest New South Wales government Ja p a n . management. adopted a proposal for a statutory To encourage small forest conservation trust to dramatically Europe and the owners to join the FSC, WWF accelerate vegetation Middle East has developed a group conservation on private land. certification kit designed to help WW F - A u s t r a l i a ’ s proposal for WWF has been placing strong groups of forest owners and multi-species recovery planning emphasis on certification with managers with the application and integration of threatened its ‘European Certification and control procedures species recovery into regional Initiative’. Working in necessary for attaining FSC and national planning and partnership with other major certification at low cost. implementation processes was European NGOs, WWF has Over 15 million ha of forests adopted by the Au s t r a l i a n promoted the Forest Stewardship in 17 European countries are government and incorporated Council (FSC) as the only now certified according to FSC into the new Recovery Planning environmentally appropriate, standards. Existing partnerships Guidelines. socially beneficial, and have been strengthened — e.g. Within WW F ’ s As i a / P a c i f i c economically viable forest with AssiDomän, one of

Forests 15 Europe's leading forest products WWF was successful in companies — and new ones protecting a few key forests in started. More companies are the Mediterranean, where the joining the Global Forest and original forest cover has been Trade Network, including giants reduced to 16 per cent. In like IKEA, B&Q in the UK, addition to the legal protection OBI in Germany, Decospan in of 35,000ha of virgin forest Belgium, and Castorama in habitats in Tu r k e y ’s Kure France. A poster campaign mountains, in Croatia joint featuring James Bond actor e fforts by the Croatian Pierce Brosnan promoting the Ministry of Environment, the FSC brand continues to appear NGO Green Action (Friends of widely across Europe, while in the Earth-Croatia), the Croatian the UK BBC Wildlife now prints Forest Research Institute its magazine on FSC-certified Forests, grazing land and snow- Jastrebarsko, and W W F covered peaks in the central paper. Caucasus, Georgia. resulted in an agreement to In April, Romania’s president, WWF-Canon/Hartmut Jungius improve the protection of the Ion Illiescu, announced at the Velebit forests which host Summit on Environment and Danube/Carpathians ecoregion some of the few remnant old- Sustainable Development in the where at least five countries growth forests in the Danube-Carpathian region that have indicated a desire to adopt Mediterranean. Threats to the Romania will soon initiate FSC FSC standards. forests, which extend over certification. A trial area of During 2001, WWF 200,000ha, come from water 32,000ha is to be assessed launched the ‘European Forest pollution, forest fires, and according to FSC principles and Scorecards’ report, giving an transboundary air pollution, as criteria for responsible forestry. assessment of how 19 European well as excessive road Ro m a n i a ’ s woodlands cover 6.2 countries treat their forests. construction and tourism. million ha and include some of Even though some countries Other forest protected area Eu r o p e ’ s last remaining virgi n scored highly, and Switzerland projects in process include an forests. By mid-2002, WW F did particularly well in its social exciting trans-boundary reserve estimates that up to 120,000ha of and cultural care of forests, the planned by the governments of Ro m a n i a ’ s forests could be overall impression was that each Turkey and Georgia. Set in a certified. country must improve its remote region which has Other countries in Central stewardship of forests if they are suffered conflict in past and Eastern Europe, such as to meet commitments made at centuries, this bilateral initiative Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 will be a significant step H u n g a r y, Latvia, Russia and and the 1993 Helsinki Pan- towards further protection of the Slovakia are also set to pursue European Ministerial Global 200 Caucasus ecoregion. the first FSC certifications of Conference on the Protection of In Hungary, WWF has set up a their forests and forest Europe’s Forests. Out of a conservation research project for products. The Latvian possible maximum score of 100 the Euro-Siberian steppe oak government, for example, has points on forest protection, even woods, which exemplify the already announced its the highest-scoring country, natural richness of the countries commitment to FSC standards Slovakia, scored only 66 points, looking to accede to the on public lands, representing the average being just 45. Only European Union. two-thirds of all forested land Greece, Latvia and Poland have To counter possible threats in the country. WWF will also made clear commitments to from the increasing volume of track the implementation of retain and increase the area and tourists visiting forest reserves national FSC standards in quality of forest protected areas and protected areas in Europe, G e o rgia and Armenia, countries to a level needed to sustain W W F ’s innovative PAN Parks with valuable forests in the viable populations of plant and scheme is working to reduce Caucasus ecoregion, and in the animal life. the impacts of tourism in

16 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 European protected areas. A pilot project carried out in Conserving ecoregions Bialowieza forest in eastern Poland highlighted the touristic The Valdivian forests values of Europe’s larg e s t remaining lowland primary The Valdivian forests of southern Chile and Argentina are one of the world’s five temperate rainforests and house some of the forest, which also hosts most rare and unique species of plants and animals on the E u r o p e ’s oldest and strongest South American continent. The long isolation of this region from population of bison. other tropical or temperate forests has led to the development WWF will continue to of extraordinary levels of endemism, making the ecoregion a influence decision-making in veritable biogeographic island and one of the rarest forests on European forest policy. WWF the planet. wants to see forest legislation Unusual species derive in large part from those of the ancient improved to guarantee more supercontinent, Gondwanaland. Chief among them is the environmentally friendly wood remarkable alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides), a tree that production, improved natural frequently reaches more than 100 metres in height and quality of forests, increased surpasses 3,000 years in age. The stands of alerce, like the forest protection and reduced neighbouring stands of monkey puzzle and southern beech of the Valdivian ecoregion, shelter both the endangered pudu deer pollution. and the Andean deer.

Latin America and the An estimated 72,000km2 of Valdivian forest blanketed both slopes Caribbean of the southern Andes at the time of the European arrival in South America. Conversion to exotic plantations and pasture, Nearly one billion hectares of logging for firewood and woodchip, infrastructure projects, burning, and overgrazing have reduced this figure by 60 per cent. natural forest blanket the continents of the Latin America WWF has helped reverse this trend of forest destruction and and Caribbean region. WWF degradation by tackling threats from local to national levels. For continues to champion forest example, WWF has successfully promoted the sustainable conservation projects from the harvest of the Chilean hazelnut by local women’s groups, dry forests of Mexico’s ef fectively diminishing the pressure on less-renewable forest resources. At the same time, WWF and local NGOs and Chihuahuan Desert to the stakeholders have moved the Valdivian ecoregion to the top of the temperate rainforests of national conservation agenda in Chile and Argentina. By helping southern Chile and Argentina. mould the Non-timber Forest Products Network, the Wor k i n g Despite these efforts, Group on Private Conservation, and the Coastal Coalition, WWF agricultural expansion, cattle and its partners have successfully spearheaded a progressive raising, unsustainable timber conservation programme that will ultimately conserve the remaining forests and improve the social and economic conditions exploitation, and harmful of the ecoregion’s local indigenous and me s t i z o co m m u n i t i e s . construction projects continue to threaten the biological and landscape diversity of the region’s forests. In order to reduce these threats, WWF has collaborated with a large and diverse group of partners, from the smallest community organization to the largest international aid and development agencies. In the realm of forests, these collaborations have focused on protected areas, sustainable Monkey puzzle trees in the Valdivian forest. WWF-Canon/Edward Parker forest management through

Forests 17 voluntary certification, and Bolivia continues to lead the of sawn wood, plywood and forest restoration. way in terms of forest other products. WWF continues to be a certification, with nearly one WWF’s Central American leader in supporting and million ha of certified forests office continues to pioneer the developing protected areas in the representing almost 35 per cent improvement of community region, and has made significant of the regional total of 2.8 certification with the indigenous strides away from the traditional million ha. WWF’s Bolivia and mestizo communities of model that perceives human office has provided project northern Guatemala and beings as threats to coordination for the southern Mexico. conservation. In Colombia, for strengthening of community Forest restoration, the newest example, WWF has been certification efforts in Bolivia, of WWF’s three targets, has essential in helping to further the Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, significant potential in the Latin concept of private reserves and Guatemala, and Mexico. America and Caribbean region, has been instrumental in The FSC certification of especially in the Valdivian supporting the establishment of 140,658ha of native forest forests of Chile and Argentina, seven new private reserves in located in the municipal district the Interior Atlantic Forests of the Central Andes. of Paragominas, in the state of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, WWF-Brazil, supported by Pará, Brazil, has increased by 20 and the many degraded WWF-US, continues to move per cent the certified forest area landscapes throughout the toward the eventual approval of in the Brazilian Amazon. The Central American Isthmus. Far the Amazon Region Protected contribution, by forest owners more than simply tree planting, Areas Project (ARPA). This Cikel Brasil Verde SA, brings forest landscape restoration aims US$270 million dollar project, the total in Brazil as a whole to to regain complete ecological financed in part through the 870,511ha. Some 50 timber- integrity and enhance human GEF, will represent an providing tree species are well-being by improving achievement of global managed in Cikel’s new certified representation of forest species importance: the promulgation of forest and the company plans to and communities, increasing 28.5 million ha of new protected have the rest of its forests forest resilience to climate areas and the improved (another 65,753ha) certified by change, and connecting forest management of 12.5 million ha 2003. The company annually habitats outside protected areas. of existing parks and reserves. produces 120,000 cubic metres

W W F ’s Global Conservation Programme — Expenditure on Forest Conservation FY 2 0 0 1

CHF,000

16,000 14,216 14,000 12,805 12,453 12,000

9,566 10,000

8,000 6,293 6,000

4,000 2,578 2,000 1,135

0 Africa Asia Europe Latin North Conservation Campaigns America America Policy

18 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 freshwater

onserving the world’s freshwater environment and its wildlife is one of society's most challenging tasks. C And yet, despite the growing awareness of the value of wetlands and fresh water to our very survival, we continue to destroy, pollute, and degrade this fragile and precious resource at a frightening rate. Faced with declining water availability and quality, many governments and White pelicans and lesser flamingos at industries have re s o rted to engineering Lake Nakuru, Kenya. WWF-Canon/Donald Miller solutions, such as the construction of larg e dams for water storage and canals for c a rrying water to areas suffering short a g e s Global highlights or drought. WWF's challenge is to convince n Launched in May 1999, WWF’s Living the world’s leaders to work with nature Waters Campaign exceeded its global rather than against it. target to protect 25 million hectares of WWF’s priorities will be the protection and freshwater wetlands over three years one sound management of wetlands, changing the year ahead of schedule. laws, policies, and practices associated with n Niger became the first of the four Lake dams, dikes, and rivers, and influencing the Chad basin countries in Africa to designate way in which water is used by industry and its part of Africa’s fourth largest lake as a agriculture as well as in people’s daily lives. Ramsar site.

Jamie Pittock n In the Mediterranean, WWF worked closely with the MedWet Initiative to Director, Living Waters Programme secure the designation, on World Wetlands Day, 2 February, of ten wetlands covering nearly 2 million ha. W W F ’s vision for freshwater n WWF contributed to the World Commission on Dams’ new guidelines to WWF’s vision for freshwater ecosystems improve the technical, social and is that healthy wetlands around the world environmental performance of dams. will enhance the quality of life and people will be convinced as to the value of n The Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, nature as the source of water. shared by Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Brazil in November 2000, with the Bolivian part (3 million hectares) designated a Ta r g e t s wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention in September 20 0 1 . To achieve its vision for freshwater, WWF’s Living Waters Programme has set three global n WWF’s report on bottled water sparked a new debate on all continents on the targets: implications of the bottled water market for tap water supplies and the environment. n By 2010, 250 million hectares of high-priority

Freshwater 19 freshwater ecosystems and groundwaters. WWF will World Summit on worldwide are protected also contribute to economic and Sustainable Development all and/or sustainably managed social well-being by promoting pointed to promising, environmentally sound potentially exciting new n By 2010, ecological management of freshwater developments. processes are maintained or resources that improves access restored in at least 50 large and availability to water for n With over 10 million ha of catchment areas containing drinking, food production, wetlands committed for high-priority freshwater energy generation, and other protection during the year, ecosystems. social uses. WWF exceeded its global target for the protection of 25 n By 2010, private sector Freshwater conservation million ha one year early. practices and related h i g h l i g h t s government policies n The Pantanal, the world’s concerning key water-using Overview largest wetland was declared sectors are established and/or a UNESCO Biosphere changed in order to sustain Floods, drought, and conflicts reserve in Brazil in the integrity of the freshwater over water increasingly November 2000, with its ecosystems on which they dominate the headlines in many Bolivian part (covering 3 depend and/or impact. countries. Although not as million ha) designated a immediately dramatic, the long- wetland of international To address these targets, term loss of freshwater importance under the Ramsar WWF has identified three ecosystems may result in equal Convention in September themes with which to engage the hardship for people in many 2001, as well as a Gift to the widest possible diversity of parts of the world. Conserving Earth. people and decision-makers to wetlands is therefore being make strategic shifts in the use recognized as the right approach n During the first-ever of freshwater ecosystems and to responding to the needs of international ‘World resources: people, as well as wildlife. In Wetlands Week’ — a new 2001, WWF played a strong role concept launched by WWF in n ‘Web of Life’— conserving in keeping attention on these February 2001 — Algeria networks of representative issues. provided a highpoint with freshwater ecosystems and WWF’s ‘Living Waters ceremonies to mark the biodiversity Campaign’ worked worldwide to protection of wetlands, make the year a significant including rare desert n ‘Rules of the Game’ — turning point in how freshwater ecosystems such as gueltas changing the direction of places and resources are and oases, totalling nearly 2 conventional approaches to managed for people and nature. million ha. water resources management Through campaigning activities like those outlined below and n Of the four countries — n ‘Markets and Lifestyles’ — literally hundreds of projects Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and improving resource use in around the world to conserve Nigeria — that share Lake water intensive products. and restore natural wetlands, Chad, Niger became the first WWF operated at all levels to to designate its part of By focusing on these themes tackle the growing freshwater Africa’s fourth largest lake as and targets, WWF aims to halt crisis: a Ramsar site, honouring a and reverse the loss of commitment made in freshwater plants and animals n The EU’s new Water N’Djamena in July 2000 at and the wetlands in which they Framework Directive, the the Heads of State summit of occur, and to prevent the Danube ‘Heads of State’ the Lake Chad basin disruption of natural processes Summit, and the Bonn Water countries. The other countries that support life in rivers, lakes Conference in advance of the are expected to follow

20 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 Niger’s example by the next Conserving ecoregions World Wetlands Week in February 2002. Lake Malawi n The importance of mountain Lake Malawi/Niassa/Nyasa is home to one of the richest wetlands to water supply and freshwater fish faunas in the world. The lake falls within the river basin management were national territories of Malawi (Lake Malawi), Mozambique (Lake Niassa), and Tanzania (Lake Nyasa) and although overfished amongst topics discussed at a and subject to increasing silt deposition in parts, it is largely symposium organized by unspoiled. The lake probably holds more species of fish than WWF and the Ramsar any other lake in the world — about 14 per cent of the world’s Convention Bureau in Evian, freshwater species (99% of which are endemic to the lake). France in March 2001. The meeting endorsed a set of The deterioration of natural resources within the lake and its catchments, particularly in Malawi, are of increasing concern draft guidelines for the and several policy and legislative measures have been put in conservation of mountain place to conserve the resources. The lake’s exceptional fish wetlands, which will be fauna is at particular risk from fishing pressure which is submitted for adoption at the concentrated in the shallow waters where most of the fish 8th Conference of Parties to congregate. Pollution and sedimentation of the lake are the Ramsar Convention in associated with nutrient influxes, reduced light penetration, and changes in algae. November 2002.

WWF’s approach to conserving n A report on bottled water the lake is founded on earlier received unprecedented collaborative initiatives. Since television, internet, radio and 1998, WWF has been developing a common vision print media coverage on all among stakeholders, and better continents, and demonstrated coordination of efforts to that bottled water was not a conserve the lake and its sustainable alternative to catchments. For example, in careful management of tap 1999 WWF’s southern Africa water supplies and the office in Harare, Zimbabwe, in conjunction with the Peace environment upon which it Parks Foundation, co-funded a depends. trilateral meeting at which participants from the three n On World Water Day, 22 countries concluded that the March 2001, WWF launched lake is a shared ecosystem. a website highlighting They agreed that a much wider area than just the lake needs to globally important ‘Rivers at be protected, that tourism Risk’ and inviting people to Catch of the day — an eel should be enhanced, and that take action, such as reducing taken from Lake Malawi. jobs should be created to their consumption of water WWF/Anthony Ribbink contribute to poverty alleviation. in the home, that would benefit freshwater All three countries have since adopted similar environmental policies and laws. However the institutional capacity to ecosystems. implement them remains weak. As one innovative solution to this issue, Malawi has adopted a National Fishery and n WWF contributed and gave Aquaculture Policy that is attempting to place the management strong backing to the and control of the fisheries resources in the hands of local recommendations of the communities. Recognizing the need to control and monitor the report of the World management of all resources in the lake basin in a coordinated way, the concept of a ‘Transfrontier Natural Resources Commission on Dams — Management Area’ is now firmly on the policy agenda of the Dams and Development — three riparian countries. released at the end of 2000. This was underscored by

Freshwater 21 follow-up studies on dams Consuming the Earth’s natural capital and flooding, the economics of water diversion projects, Globalization is creating vast opportunities and benefits for and on renewable — non- many countries, industries and individuals worldwide. But it is hydropower — energy also bringing new and enormous challenges that are cultural, economic, environmental, and political in nature, as well as sources. growing unease and discontent. The benefits of globalization are not evenly shared, and many people are being left behind. The ongoing loss of wetlands and their dynamic natural Globalization, and the expansion of the world economy — processes are among the main driven by increases in trade and investment flows — are also causes of the steep decline in having dramatic implications for the quality of the environment: marine life in the oceans, forests in tropical countries, and the health of freshwater systems drinking water supplies all over the world that are being worldwide. To ensure future depleted at faster and faster rates. supplies of freshwater, food and other materials that wetlands According to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2000, the natural provide on a daily basis requires wealth of the Earth’s forests, freshwater ecosystems, and oceans and coasts decreased by about 33 per cent between improved protection for and 1970 and 1999. The current pattern of globalization, driven by management of wetlands. At trade liberalization and the expansion of the world economy, is present, 65–70 million ha of set to further environmental destruction unless markets are freshwater ecosystems have geared to serve sustainable development outcomes and formal protection under the environment is put at the heart of trade liberalization efforts. Ramsar Convention or as During the 1970s, humanity as a whole passed the point at UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. which it lived within the global regenerative capacity of the This figure probably represents Earth. Since then, the world economy has been running at an less than 10 per cent of the ecological deficit: natural capital — resources such as natural or global freshwater ecosystem managed forests, oceanic fisheries, and agricultural land — is resource. (The global total under being depleted at a faster rate than the interest — the goods Ramsar was 81 million ha in and services (crops, fish, meat, wood, energy, etc.) — they provide. Hence we are witnessing a decline in the wealth of the June 2001 but this includes Earth’s forest, freshwater and marine ecosystems as we marine/coastal wetlands). attempt to squeeze more from them than they can produce. But Over the past two years for how long? Economic growth and expansion of world trade WWF has made remarkable can only last for as long as the Earth’s natural systems can progress in adding more than 30 sustain a depletion of their capital stock. million ha to the global total of wetlands committed for WWF's Living Planet protection. WWF will build on Freshwater species Index shows that population index 1970–1999 freshwater biodiversity is this with the aim of achieving 140 declining at a rate faster protection for a further 40 than life in marine and million ha by 2005. This can terrestrial ecosystems. 120 Over half the world's only be achieved by continuing wetlands were destroyed the effective partnerships 100 l during the 20th century. developed with the Ramsar Today, half of the world's Convention Bureau and its 125 80 population lacks adequate sanitation, a fifth cannot signatory governments, and with 60 access clean drinking leading companies in the private water, and two-thirds will sector, as well as private 40 face serious water shortages by 2025. landowners. WWF will give 20 special attention to securing Source: Living Planet Report 2000 protection for networks of 0 19 7 0 19 7 5 19 8 0 19 8 5 19 9 0 19 9 5 20 0 0 wetland sites in key ecoregions, promoting better management of these areas, and reducing threats

22 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 to them from harmful activities in upstream catchments. The creation of dams, river diversions and other construction projects have all had serious impacts on ecoregions and their freshwater components. The new guidelines presented by the World Commission on Dams provide an opportunity to Women mixing mortar for a cistern at Lake Nakuru, Kenya. change practices on the ground. WWF-Canon/Donald Miller The challenge for all those greatest impacts on freshwater plan for the National Park, and involved is to use the guidelines wetlands and their life forms. In furnishing of the education to improve the technical, social extreme cases such as the Aral centre at Lake Bogoria. and environmental performance Sea, they have led to the The Nakuru project of dams everywhere. WWF is economic and environmental continued to make great strides working with partner collapse of an entire region. despite many obstacles, such as organizations, governments and WWF is initiating dialogue with inadequate rainfall, extensive relevant sectors in business and several major companies with use of restricted pesticides, and industry to put the guidelines the aim of promoting practices encroachment on natural forest into practice. Partnerships are that respect natural water cover. A positive step forward being explored with, for sources and at the same time was the assumption of example, the Mekong River provide better services or responsibility by 24 village Commission, the Niger Basin products to consumers. It is communities for planning and Authority, and stakeholders hoped that partnering with the coordinating their own involved in the ‘Nile Basin private sector may lead to consensus-based environmental Dialogue’, as well as with key market-led approaches that put action plans. A further 16 countries, to work towards pressure on all water users to villages are currently engaged in adopting best practices for river improve their practices, increase the process and more are basin management. WWF is the efficiency of water use, and expected to follow. Other also advocating that reduce pollution. successes at Nakuru were the international financial upswing in water conservation institutions — among the main Africa and Madagascar with the excavation of 101 new sources of funding for dams in earthen dams by farmers to developing countries — sign up In Africa, WWF continued to contain run-off, the training of to a verifiable ‘code of conduct’ focus on four main freshwater 3,000 women in conservation as part of their commitment to ecosystems: Lake Bogoria and skills, and the production of social and environmental issues. Lake Nakuru in Kenya; and 15kg of assorted tree seeds by Many industrial sectors use, Kafue Flats and Bangweulu the first community-managed treat, or pollute water in the Wetlands in Zambia. In addition, seed orchards. Despite adverse course of manufacturing their the process for conserving the weather conditions, 108 self- products. Water supply and Lake Malawi section of the Rift supporting tree nurseries raised drinks companies are a sector of Valley Lakes ecoregion got 115,000 seedlings. Lesser special relevance since their underway. flamingos returned to Lake product is water, albeit in Notable targets met during Nakuru after a two-year diverse forms following the year under the Lake Bogoria absence. On the negative side treatment, processing or Nature Reserve and Saiwa there were poor indications of bottling. Manufacturing Swamp National Park project the health of the local processes that use large amounts included the completion of the environment when the long-term of water or which result in Saiwa education centre, study on the flamingos polluting effluents have the publication of the management confirmed the build-up of heavy

Freshwater 23 metals and algal toxins in tissue wetlands was enhanced by seeks to build on lessons from samples, and further revealed Community Development Unit WWF’s earlier work and will that liver damage in the birds meetings and a new proposal to promote a more integrated was widespread. monitor and conserve animal approach to species and habitat In Tanzania, WWF worked populations, in particular the conservation. Work will also with the Tanzania National lechwe. Elsewhere in Zambia, start to develop ways of Parks authority to complete the WWF is promoting further incorporating freshwater first survey of the conservation commitments by concerns into WWF action Tarangire/Manyara basin, the government, with planned programmes for forest resulting in a draft action plan designations of parts of the ecoregions. for the wetlands. The focus of upper Zambesi floodplain and future efforts will be support for Lake Tanganyika as new Ramsar Asia and the Pacific the practical conservation work si t e s . in Lake Manyara and Tarangire In the Niger River basin, a WWF’s Living Planet Report National Parks, and on basin-wide initiative has been 2000 indicated that the state of influencing policy decisions developed by WWF in freshwater systems in the affecting the parks. Elsewhere, partnership with Wetlands Asia/Pacific region have WWF worked closely with the International and the Nigerian deteriorated considerably since Journalists Environmental Conservation Foundation (NCF). 1980. In spite of this, there are Association of Tanzania to The ‘Niger Basin Initiative’ currently only three countries in increase both journalists’and the includes actions at national and the region that have significant general public’s understanding local levels, such as formal freshwater conservation of the importance of wetland wetland protection, the programmes: China, Malaysia, systems across the country. The establishment or reinforcement and Australia. Given that species first of three training workshops of ‘wetland reference groups’, declines, river pollution, for print and broadcast and support to field projects. As drinking water shortages, and journalists was completed and a result of this approach, in June water catchment destruction are dozens of articles and broadcasts Niger designated a major area of prevalent in almost every were produced. the Niger floodplain, near the country of the region, an In Zambia, the final draft of border with Benin and Nigeria, increased focus on freshwater the Zambia Wet l a n d s as a Ramsar site. A field issues is crucial. Conservation Strategy and demonstration project has Most of the recent Action Plan was produced and subsequently been initiated there conservation gains in the region now awaits the formal in partnership with the Swiss have been in achieving Ramsar announcement by the Development Cooperation. status for wetlands. In India, ten government of the Wet l a n d s During 2002, WWF’s Eastern sites covering nearly 1.1 million Policy for Zambia. Ac t i v i t i e s Africa office will explore ha were added to the Ramsar under the WW F - N e t h e r l a n d s - opportunities for adopting an list, more than doubling the sponsored Partners for Wet l a n d s ecoregion approach to number of the country’s project at Kafue Flats included conserving the Eastern Rift protected wetlands. Designations development of a detailed Valley Lakes. The ecoregion of more than 2 million bibliography and documentation covers ten African states: additional ha of wetland are of the hydrology of the Kafue Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, planned, enabling India to meet River and Flats, and a base map Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, the commitment made during for the proposed conservation Democratic Republic of Congo, the May 1999 Conference of area in Mazabuka. The project Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. Parties to the Ramsar also worked with communities in To capture people’s imagination Convention. In Australia, the Mazabuka conservation zone and promote the ecoregional national legislation championed and completed an assessment for concept, flamingos will serve as by WWF now conserves Ramsar the reintroduction of wildlife a ‘pink thread’linking the sites by regulating upstream species. Rapport with the disparate lakes spread across developments to prevent communities in the Bangweulu these countries. This initiative significant impacts. The use of

24 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 Ramsar to conserve privately Conserving ecoregions owned wetlands was entrenched with the voluntary listing of The Amur River 583ha of the Macquarie Marshes complex. Situated in the Russian Far East, the Amur River, at 4,400km, is In China, more than 1,600ha the world’s eighth longest river. It rises in the mountains of Inner of cultivated land were restored Mongolia and curves through seemingly endless forests and taiga towards the Sea of Okhotsk. The river divides Russia and as wetlands, resulting in the China, and is only bridged in two places. return of migratory birds and fish. This achievement was The Amur’s catchment contains a unique mix of sub-tropical accompanied by a strengthening and northern hemisphere flora and fauna, including 2,800 of the national policy on vascular plant species (of which 800 are endemic), and about restoring wetlands for flood 40,000 insect and 473 vertebrate species. Big cats like the mitigation. In addition, over 1.5 famous Amur tiger and far-eastern leopard stroll through the virgin forests adjacent to the river, and birds such as oriental million ha of wetlands, white stork, red-crowned and white-naped cranes nest in the including in the Yangtze basin, Amur valley. The riverbanks and adjacent wetlands provide are in the process of being crucial stopovers for millions of migrating waterbirds. designated as Ramsar sites, hopefully by the time of World Among almost 100 fish species, the famous Kaluga sturgeon Wetland Week in February can reach weights up to 1,000kg, while important populations of 2002. And in Hong Kong, new migratory salmon still occur, although their numbers are dwindling. Declines in the number of fish are affecting the lives freshwater habitats were of the Nivkhi, Nanai, and Ulchi indigenous peoples, who are developed at the Mai Po struggling to continue their traditional ways of life. Marshes Ramsar site. In other developments, The wetlands of the Amur River basin are being drained and agreement was reached with converted into agricultural land, and the surrounding forests are local oil palm plantation owners being felled or burned for the same purpose. On the Russian to reforest parts of the Lower side 40 per cent of the forest has gone; on the Chinese side only 47 per cent remains. Huge amounts of polluting effluent Kinabatangan Floodplain in from industry and agriculture wash into the river from northern Sabah, Malaysia. The state China to such an extent that the water is no longer fit for government designated drinking and fish become poisonous to eat. Hydropower 27,000ha of wetlands in the stations and dams are planned, with one dam built already on a Lower Kinabatangan floodplain tributary river. The impacts of these activities on the health of as a protected area. The area is the ecoregion are truly dramatic. an important refuge for orang Following calls by WWF for urgent action to protect the unique utan, proboscis monkey, and wetlands of the Amur, two new nature reserves and two wildlife Asian elephant, as well as being refuges have been established to protect wildlife over an area a vital source of freshwater for of nearly 5,000km2. over 200,000 people. In Vietnam, the government In partnership with IUCN, WWF has developed a conservation recognized the importance of strategy for the oriental white stork, and scientific research into wetlands conservation for the the conservation requirements of other flagship species, including Kaluga sturgeon and Amur river turtle, is underway. country, and 71 freshwater Other activities include the establishment of a protected areas bodies were nominated for network with trans-boundary reserves, restoration of the Amur potential protected area status. floodplains, and the development of ecotourism opportunities. Several major activities for freshwater conservation are By linking its resources in Russia, Mongolia, and China and currently under development. working with a full range of stakeholders and partner They include an initiative for organizations, WWF is working to overcome cultural differences and economic difficulties for the benefit of the Amur and its Asian rivers which will define indigenous people and wildlife. WWF’s role in the Mekong, Yangtze, and Indus river basins;

Freshwater 25 In Poland, another of the ‘first wave’ EU accession countries, WWF is vigorously pursuing its vision for an alternative development for the Vistula and Odra Rivers. The rivers are currently threatened by plans to build hydropower stations, and canalization for The Danube River — five Eastern European countries committed to work together to prevent toxic spillages. shipping lanes. WWF maintains WWF-Canon/Michèle Dépraz that additional hydropower conservation projects along the conservation in the Carpathian stations along the Vistula are Mekong River in Indochina and mountains; agreement among uneconomic and a waste of Thailand; activities under the the five countries of the Tisza much-needed investment capital Sepik freshwater conservation River basin to work together to in Poland. Channelling and plan in the South Pacific; prevent further toxic spillages dredging of the Odra River for wetland conservation work in into the river basin (badly shipping will increase the risk of three territories in Australia; a damaged by the major cyanide major floods. WWF research in multi-million dollar freshwater spill in 2000); and the specific the areas worst hit by the programme in Pakistan, actions taken by the Romanian, flooding showed that the Polish involving WWF in protecting Bulgarian, Moldovan, and government had done little to modernize flood protection wetlands in the Indus delta; and Ukrainian governments to fulfil strategies since the major floods more work in China following commitments made under the of 1997 (serious flooding the government’s approval of ‘Lower Danube Green Corridor’ occurred again in 2001). Dykes the National Wetland agreement signed in June 2000. viewed as being largely Conservation Action Plan. All of As a consequence of the responsible for the 1997 floods these are expected to translate Tisza cyanide incident, WWF were rebuilt in the same areas, into appreciable gains in 2002. has started a number of rather than allowing more space restoration projects, as well as for floodwater. WWF is urging Europe and the using the catastrophe to raise the Polish government to adopt Middle East awareness and promote the EU standards for management importance of maintaining of its rivers. Arguably WWF’s biggest vibrant natural river systems. Existing European Union success in Europe in 2001 was Hopes are high that, with the subsidies for economic the Heads of State summit in the numerous side-arms, oxbow development and intensive Romanian capital of Bucharest lakes and inundation zones agriculture have potentially in May when leaders from 14 along the length of the Tisza, severe and negative effects for countries of the Danube- the river and its wildlife will nature in those countries seeking Carpathians region gathered to recover. Also in Hungary, WWF to accede to the EU. With this in confirm and strengthen their has been running a campaign mind, WWF, over the next year, commitment to sustainable entitled ‘Hungary enriches the will focus even more strongly development. The highly EU’. The campaign promotes on the EU’s Common successful Summit marked a the fact that at least 500 species Agricultural Policy (CAP). milestone for WWF, opening and sub-species of plants that Work on reforming the CAP many doors to ensure that occur in Hungary are either aims at a reduction in economic development in the extinct or are not found in EU environmentally damaging region does not take place to the member countries. In view of subsidies, particularly those detriment of the region’s natural Hungary’s application to join affecting freshwater areas. wealth. Outcomes included: a the EU, the initiative has been Instead, WWF would like to see commitment to a process of enthusiastically supported by the funds channelled into expanded formalizing ecoregion Hungarian Foreign Ministry. agri-environment programmes,

26 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 supporting Less Favoured Areas WWF’s first ever conser- and rural development, leading vation success was to help in the Learning for to better implementation of the establishment of the Doñana c o n s e r v a t i o n EU's nature conservation National Park in Spain. Today, network, Natura 2000. WWF is helping to shape the The job of a In a new initiative, WWF future of the Doñana area by conservationist is launched a Europe-wide ‘Water seeking to ensure that major increasingly complex. In addition to strong technical & Wetland Index’which hydrological and wetland skills, we need a number assesses the quality and restoration projects are based on of other key skills to be management of freshwater a catchment approach. As part of better equipped to deliver ecosystems and resources in 17 its five-year Action Plan for on our conservation countries, including EU Doñana, WWF will evaluate all priorities. WWF has accession countries. relevant projects in the Huelva- established a ‘Learning Initiative’ aimed at building Assessments of government Seville-Cádiz triangle, support the skills and performance against a common conservation strategies, and competencies we need to set of indicators will be used as develop new projects in achieve our conservation a basis for developing national collaboration with local and goals. Part of this learning objectives and activities for international partners. This will is carried out through the WWF College for freshwater conservation. include the development of Conservation Leadership, In the Mediterranean, WWF alternative agricultural systems an 18-month learning worked closely with the that use less water and fewer programme for senior field MedWet Initiative to secure the pesticides. staff that combines designation, on World Wetlands WWF has identified three learning via the Internet Day, 2 February, of ten wetlands groups of freshwater species and with traditional face-to-face workshops. This covering nearly 2 million ha. habitats — threatened programme builds Following the encroachment of amphibians, migratory salmon expertise in four theme sand dunes into one of these and sturgeon, and riverine areas: Leadership & wetlands, the Ouled Saïd oasis forests — the status of which Management, Strategy & in Algeria, WWF, together with serve to highlight the problems Planning, Communications the Ramsar Convention Bureau facing Europe’s freshwater & Networking, and Campaigning & Advocacy. and the UN Convention to resources. By linking its work in Combat Desertification, is freshwater areas, forests, and undertaking a restoration project oceans and coasts, WWF will Freshwater run-off from these to rehabilitate the oasis. collaborate with partner systems represents about 30 per organizations to counteract the cent of the world’s total. Horses left to roam wild cause damaging impacts of agricultural impacts on both regenerating plants Outstanding examples are the and the edges of the fragile pools of change on wetlands and to Amazon, the Orinoco and the wetlands in the Chihuahua Desert, reconcile the restoration of Paraguay-Paraná rivers. In more Mexico. rivers with the increasing need WWF-Canon/Edward Parker arid areas, such as the for navigation and flood Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico, defence. smaller river and lake systems harbour some of the world’s Latin America and the Caribbean highest numbers of endemic freshwater species. The Latin America and These systems are totally Caribbean region, particularly dependent on the maintenance of South America, contains large the hydrological flow of water. river systems that feed huge For example, in South America, floodplains and wetlands; six of the annual pulse of flooding the ten most biologically diverse generates the habitats and rivers in the world occur here. species richness found in most

27 rivers and wetlands. Hydro- for desert streams and wetlands aquatic species, including the logical changes resulting from important for both plant and river otter, pink dolphin, and deforestation, flow regulation, or animal life and the local Amazonian manatee thrive in other man-made changes may indigenous community. this area, and numerous species affect the intensity and Further north in the of fish that make up an periodicity of flooding, thus floodplain of another of South important part of the diet of destroying habitats. America’s large river systems, local communities are also In its work to conserve the FUDENA, an associate present in large numbers. region’s freshwater riches, WWF organization of WWF in However, in recent years the has achieved several advances Venezuela, is working to protect human population has increased over the past year, working on another huge flooded grassland. considerably, bringing threats to its own or in partnership. Known locally as the Llanos, nature in the form of oil In Brazil, UNESCO ratified this area is home to numerous exploitation, overfishing, and the 25 million-hectare Pantanal aquatic and terrestrial species illegal logging. Growing Biosphere Reserve (nearly 14 that depend on annual populations are demanding million ha of which are inundations of freshwater for larger harvests of timber, game freshwater wetlands), protecting their survival. Since most of the and fish for metropolitan areas. a major part of the world’s grassland is privately owned, WWF will provide data and largest flooded grassland. FUDENA is working with local technical and financial Colombia designated La Cocha landowners and governments to assistance to INRENA — the Lake and surrounding wetlands establish a network of private Peruvian government agency in as a Ramsar site, protecting high nature reserves. charge of protected areas — to Andean paramo wetlands which Within the Amazon River establish the Abanico del are some of the most unique and and Flooded Forest ecoregion, Pastaza protected area. INRENA threatened wetland areas in the WWF has identified several has embraced this initiative world. In Mexico, the Huichol priority sub-regions. One of because it complements its plans Indians and the governor of San these is the ‘Abanico de Pastaza’ to establish a protected area that Luis Potosi expanded the — a geological depression benefits from land-use planning Huiricuta State Reserve from located on the upper Pastaza and sustainable natural resource 183,000 to 346,000ha to River in the extreme north-west use. encompass the Sierra de Catorce part of the ecoregion, in Peru. The Cienaga de Zapata in mountain range — a watershed Many rare and threatened Cuba, at 450,000ha, is the largest wetland in the Caribbean. Home to several threatened W W F ’s Global Conservation Programme — endemic birds and a small Expenditure on Freshwater Conservation FY 2 0 0 1 population of manatees, the wetland was Cuba’s first Ramsar

CHF,000 designation in April 2001. The 16,000 Cienaga de Zapata is part of a 14,426 joint effort by WWF and the 14,000 Canadian International 12,000 Development Agency (CIDA) to

10,000 conserve and sustainably manage some of the richest 8,000 wetlands in the Caribbean. 5,781 6,000

3,737 4,000 3,085 1,492 1,881 2,000 544

0 Africa Asia Europe Latin North Conservation Campaigns America America Policy

28 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 oceans and coasts

nsustainable fishing, insensitiv coastal development, pollution, and climate change are U threatening the health of seas around the globe, putting at risk people's livelihoods, local economies, and future food supplies. Only a tiny fraction — less than 1 per cent — of the Earth's seas are fully protected from Mangrove tree — above and below the exploitation. Moreover, the majority of these waterline. WWF-Canon/Jürgen Freund marine protected areas are not yet adequately managed. To address the threats facing the Global highlights marine environment, WWF's Endangered Seas Programme is focusing on one of the common n In the Tortugas, Florida, WWF teamed up causes — large- and small-scale industry. with recreational and commercial Whilst industries are not all necessarily bad, fishermen, scientists and business people they may have different priorities and not to establish the largest no-fishing zone to date in US waters. always take into account their full impact on the environment. WWF aims to move n Alaska salmon and New Zealand hoki conservation to the forefront of their agenda. became the latest fisheries to receive WWF will promote wise-use policies and Marine Stewardship Council certification. influence decisions affecting marine resources by creating new market incentives and n The new law for the Banc d’Arguin, Mauritania, accepted by WWF as a Gift to penalties, influencing legislation and the Earth, clarifies its legal status as a leadership, and applying pressure where restricted fishing zone, and grants fishing appropriate. WWF will encourage industries, rights to the indigenous Imraguen particularly those concerned with fishing, population. petroleum, tourism, shipping, aquaculture, the The government of Vietnam approved investment sector, and polluting land-based n WW F ’ s proposal for the establishment of a activities, to adopt practices which are both national marine and coastal protected area profitable for business and beneficial to the system covering 495,000 hectares. marine environment. By creating a ‘ripple effect’that will n Creation of the tri-national Ligurian Sea engage new partners and provide greater Sanctuary in the Mediterranean by France, Italy and Monaco gives greater protection momentum in the battle to conserve and to the region’s whales and dolphins. restore our seas, WWF can turn the tide on the escalating degradation. n A WWF report revealed that wild Atlantic salmon have disappeared from more than Simon Cripps 300 rivers in Europe and North America, Director, Endangered Seas Programme and that catches in the North Atlantic have fallen by more than 80 per cent since 1970.

Oceans and Coasts 29 WWF will work to maintain the outside their reach (e.g. W W F ’s vision for biodiversity and ecological lobbying the EU to reduce the oceans and coasts processes of marine and coastal impact of distant-water fishing ecosystems; ensure that any use fleets on non-EU countries). WWF’s vision for the of marine resources is both future of the world’s sustainable and equitable; and Marine conservation oceans and coasts is to restore marine and coastal h i g h l i g h t s see that governments, ecosystems where their communities, functioning has been impaired. Overview environmentalists, WWF will use its global reach, industries and other credibility and capacity to To combat the global crisis that interest groups around engage the public, decision- is engulfing marine and coastal the world work closely makers, and partners in the two areas, WWF’ is creating a together to keep and areas where WWF can and has ‘ripple effect’: engaging restore the treasures of partners, developing model the sea. People use already made a real difference: oceans and coasts marine protected areas (MPAs) initiatives and building wisely for the benefit of and sustainable fisheries. coalitions to conserve the oceans current and future WWF will seek to establish and protect precious marine generations. All marine networks of MPAs that are resources. During the past year, life is respected and has representative of a range of WWF has expanded its work on the right and the space biodiversity and which are well marine protected areas to to survive. managed. This will require include the high seas, battled greater protection for major, against government payments threatened habitat types such as that exacerbate overfishing, and Ta r g e t s coral reefs, sea-mounts, promoted new solutions to saltmarshes, coastal brackish restore the seas’ natural balance. and freshwater wetlands, and For example, in May 2001, To achieve its vision for oceans mangroves to ensure that the WWF and IUCN teamed up and coasts, WWF’s Endangered networks of MPAs are truly with concerned governments to Seas Programme has set two representative. issue a new report and call for global targets: To tackle the overexploitation action to protect the natural of the world’s remaining fish riches of the deep seas from n By 2020, the establishment stocks, WWF will seek new overexploitation. The report, The and implementation of a market incentives (such as the Status of Natural Resources on network of effectively certification of salmon, shrimp the High Seas, confirms that managed, ecologically and tuna fisheries); the these areas are increasingly representative marine elimination of the ten worst EU threatened by unregulated protected areas covering at subsidies contributing to fishing, oil exploration, dumping least 10 per cent of the overfishing; an end to damaging of carbon dioxide, world’s seas fishing practices and a ban on biotechnology, and the by-catches; access agreements exploitation of gas hydrates and n Maintain the status of all fish that govern the operation of hydrothermal vent minerals or stocks that are currently distant-water fishing fleets; and organisms. WWF will continue exploited sustainably and, by measures to reduce illegal, to press for international 2020, halve the number of unregulated and unreported agreements to regulate the fish stocks that are fi s h i n g . protection and use of these vital overexploited or depleted, as By working internationally, marine areas. currently categorized by the WWF’s Endangered Seas In Mauretania’s Banc Food and Agriculture Programme will address issues d’ A r guin National Park, WW F Organisation (FAO). that are also of importance to joined its partner orga n i z a t i o n s many ecoregion conservation FI B A (‘Fondation Internationale To address these targets, programmes, but which are du Banc d’Arguin’), IUCN and

30 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 several donor agencies to celebrate new legislation that Conserving ecoregions protects one of the most threatened fisheries in the world. Sahelian Upwelling Located in the biologically and nutrient rich waters of the The Sahelian Upwelling ecoregion includes the marine and coastal waters of four countries: Guinea Bissau, Mauretania, Sahellian Upwelling ecoregion, Senegal, and The Gambia. Some 13 million people live within the Banc d’Arguin is a popular the boundaries of the ecoregion, mostly in, and dependent on, fishing ground for artisanal coastal areas. fishermen and distant-water fleets from various countries. The Sahelian upwelling is renowned for its high productivity — The new legislation, designed to especially its extensive deep sea fisheries. Among a number of threatened species are five types of marine turtle and the help combat illegal fishing in the critically endangered monk seal. Vast concentrations of park and include local overwintering and breeding waterbirds occur, with areas such communities in its future as the Banc d’Arguin in Mauretania among the most important management, serves as an wintering places for birds migrating between southern Africa example to neighbouring and northern Europe. countries (see also below under Human pressure on the marine and coastal environment is ‘Africa and Madagascar’). As a increasing, especially artisanal fishing which in recent times has result, Senegal and Guinea seen motorization of ‘pirogues’ (fishing boats) and the Bissau have also agreed to build introduction of damaging new techniques (dynamite fishing) and a network of marine protected fishing gear (fine-meshed beach seines, turning seines). areas throughout this important However, the greater threat comes from commercial fishing — marine ecoregion. both by national fleets and distant-water fleets. Heavily subsidized European fleets are guaranteed access to West In the Tortugas, 110km west African waters through fishing agreements negotiated with the of the Florida Keys, WWF has EU with little regard for sustainability concerns. Destruction of teamed up with recreational and the fisheries will inevitably impact on the livelihoods of local commercial fishermen, scientists people who rely on these resources in some of the world’s least and business people to design developed countries. and establish the largest no- To counter the escalating threats, WWF has promoted the fishing zone to date in US creation and improved management of marine protected areas waters. Working with partners is in Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea Bissau; put the spotlight also the theme of WWF’s Great on fisheries subsidies and agreements through a series of Barrier Reef Campaign in regional workshops on sustainable and equitable fisheries Australia. The campaign seeks agreements; collaborated with the regional fisheries association, to protect the world’s largest the ‘Commission Sous Régionale des Pêches’, to promote sustainable fisheries management at all levels; and initiated a living entity from destructive reconnaissance of the ecoregion. fishing practices, climate change, and pollution pressures. Two significant advances have come in Mauretania, with new Other work to reduce natural legislation for the Banc d’Arguin National Park (see under threats and the human footprint ‘Africa and Madagascar’), and in Guinea-Bissau, with the 2 on these vital marine creation of the João Viera/Poilão National Park — a 500km MPA in the southern part of the Bijagos Archipelago, including ecosystems is underway in the Poilão Island, the largest green turtle nesting site on the Atlantic Lomaiviti and Kadavu waters of coast of Africa. Meanwhile in Senegal, four potential MPAs have Fiji. There, donors, businesses, been identified and are currently being surveyed. non-governmental organizations and the University of the South Achieving increased commitments to marine conservation Pacific sponsored a scientific simultaneously in three of the four countries of the ecoregion provides a foundation for a continued regional approach. Each expedition to determine the country has recognized the importance of a concerted regional level of coral bleaching caused effort to conserve their precious natural resources, and the by warming temperatures. These livelihoods which depend on them. coral reefs, which serve as

Oceans and Coasts 31 essential physical barriers and income to Pacific island states, The effects of trade liberalization on tourism are also threatened by overfishing and destructive As part of its work to assess the impacts of international trade on responsible tourism, WWF’s Trade & Investment Unit fishing practices. undertook a study entitled Preliminary Assessment of the In the North East Atlantic, Environmental and Social Effects of Liberalization in Tourism WWF is advising inter- Services. This showed that trade liberalization is one of the governmental organizations and major factors driving tourism development. lobbying for the protection of key offshore habitats. In Latin Many of the key impacts are demonstrated by tourism development in the Belek area of Turkey following liberalization America, WWF is working of the Turkish tourism sector. Belek, which is an important area closely with local and regional for marine turtles, has been the focus of international authorities to designate a investment in luxury beach hotel developments aimed at foreign network of protected areas on tourists. Amongst the issues identified have been: the Mesoamerican Caribbean Reef. On Mafia Island in n damage to fragile dune ecosystems lack of re-investment of profits in waste-water treatment and Tanzania, WWF staff are n other environmental services working with fishermen in local n anti-competitive practices communities to better manage n lack of consultation and involvement of local people their resources and provide n barring of local producers from marketing their goods in alternative livelihoods to reduce hotels the pressure on reef fish stocks. n distortion of the local employment market. Off the West African coast, The study, which has been presented to the World Trade WWF is talking to the fisheries Organization and the World Tourism Organization, recommends industry and the emerging oil focusing on: industry to try and guide developments so that they are n the tourism industry’s international responsibilities and sensitive to community and commitments to sustainable practices n the need for greater transparency environmental needs. n the need for greater social and environmental responsibility WWF also continued to n promotion of ‘good practice’ (such as environmental impact promote new market incentives assessments and use of environment-friendly technologies) as a tool for conservation. As n building local capacity, including staff training. one of the founding members of the Marine Stewardship Council The report also advocates raising the awareness of local communities and stakeholder groups with the aim of activating (MSC), WWF witnessed more local grass-roots support for responsible tourism. This may fisheries earn the MSC’s eco- include encouraging small-scale tourism-related activities and friendly label, thus providing community-based tourism. Over the next year, WWF’s Trade & consumers with the opportunity Investment Unit will be working with partners inside and outside to purchase seafood from well- WWF to take forward these findings. managed fisheries. Alaska salmon and New Zealand hoki were among a few of the big commercial fisheries certified. Further small- and large-scale fisheries are expected to complete the certification process soon.

Africa and Madagascar

Malindi Marine Park and Reserve, Kenya — a prime ecotourism site. In 2001, WWF launched a new WWF-Canon/Mauri Rautkari marine conservation initiative

32 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 for Africa. Its focus will largely in the coastal zone of south- policies in 11 villages within be on three outstanding African eastern Côte d’Ivoire. The the park, and a study on the ecoregions: Sahelian Upwelling, project will work with the e ffects of fishing pressure on Western Indian Ocean Islands, surrounding communities to the local octopus population and Eastern Africa Marine. Each address the current pressures on (currently the single most of these ‘jewels’take in a the park arising from important fishery in Mafia). number of protected areas across overexploitation of natural The project also won different countries. For example, resources, intensive fishing, government approval for Mafia Island Marine Park and agriculture, and tourism. revenue from fisheries and the Menai Bay Conservation Conservation action tourism to be collected in the Area in Tanzania, Kiunga continued in the Eastern A f r i c a park, and initiated a permit National Marine Reserve in Marine ecoregion, with the system for both resident and Kenya, and the Bazaruto completion of the initial plans visiting fishermen which will Archipelago in Mozambique all for an ecoregion-wide also keep a close eye on fishing come within the Eastern Africa programme. Activities included i n t e n s i t y. Marine ecoregion. WWF has an in-depth reconnaissance The Menai Bay Conservation continued its support for these s t u d y, an analysis of the Area project in Zanzibar seeks to and other marine parks which form part of WWF’s long-term vision for the continent’s ecoregions. WWF’s support to the 12,000km2 Banc d’Arguin National Park in Mauretania resulted in better control of illegal fishing within the park and better protection for marine turtles. Efforts by the newly created Surveillance and Conservation Department led to a 70 per cent increase in reported cases of infraction. The good collaboration between the Yellow mullet is salted and dried for export locall and beyond — Banc park’s officials and local d’Arguin, Mauretania. WWF-Canon/John Newby communities resulted in a significant reduction in marine e c o r e g i o n ’s plant and animal enhance the management of the turtle captures. The new law for life, and extensive consultations ba y ’ s biological resources. the Banc d’Arguin, passed by with stakeholders and partners. Among the activities during the the Mauretanian parliament in Within the Mafia Island Marine year were monthly monitoring of December 1999, and celebrated Park project, W W F fish catches by local as a Gift to the Earth in March collaborated with the communities, development of a 2001, underlines the importance government of Tanzania and turtle recovery action plan for of the park and clarifies its legal local communities to develop Za n z i b a r , and an assessment of status as a restricted fishing and manage the country’s first tourist visits to the Menai Bay zone, allowing only fishing by marine national park. The aim area. The exercise found that the indigenous Imraguen is to enable local people to use about 12,000 tourists visit Menai population. both land-based and marine Bay annually, the revenue from In West Africa, WWF resources without exhausting which will help to sustain local initiated a new marine project them. Activities during the year conservation work. A tree nursery around the ‘Parc National des included a major survey of for the Hiari ya Moyo Wom e n ’ s Iles Ehotilés’. The park is part of resource-use patterns and cooperative group of Bwaleo the Aby lagoon system situated attitudes towards marine park village was also established.

Oceans and Coasts 33 In Kenya, WWF supported the Kenya Wildlife Service in Conserving ecoregions finalizing the first draft of the Kiunga Reserve management The Great Barrier Reef plan. A lobster survey formed part of the long-term monitoring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is an exceptional area of biodiversity and an ecoregion of outstanding beauty. It is the of the species and a study on the largest of the world’s 552 World Heritage Sites, stretching for status and utilization of over 2,000km between tropical and sub-tropical zones. mangroves was completed with UNESCO support. The project The Marine Park contains more than 2,900 reefs, globally also recorded the first ever significant populations of endangered species (including six of release of a dugong after a the world’s seven species of marine turtle and one of the world’s most important dugong populations), as well as female became entangled in a regionally important seagrass beds and mangrove forests. It is fisherman’s net — this is a big home to over 1,500 species of fish, 350 types of coral and more step forward since such catches than 5,000 mollusc varieties. would normally have been taken for consumption. Survey work The Barrier Reef is also a profitable resource sustaining tourism in the park revealed the first (worth AU$1 billion annually) and fishing industries (AU$250 million), as well as providing recreational pleasure for record of the Red Sea angelfish thousands of divers, anglers and naturalists. for Kenya. Tragically, this natural wonder is rapidly collapsing under ever Asia and the Pacific increasing pressure on its resources. Currently only 4.5 per cent of the Park is fully protected under designated ‘green Poverty alleviation and the zones’. The main threats to its survival are unsustainable fishing — particularly bottom trawling by the prawn industry; pollution impacts of unsustainable from agricultural, industrial and urban sources; coral bleaching livelihoods on marine resources caused by rising sea temperatures; and coastal development — were the focus of much of the impacts from land clearing, wetland destruction and urban and marine work by WWF in the tourism developments. Asia-Pacific region in 2001. Projects in Cambodia, the Launched in September 2000, WWF’s Great Barrier Reef Campaign combines awareness-raising initiatives with Philippines, Vietnam, and in the advocacy work. Amongst progress to date, an interactive Yangtze basin in China all dealt campaign website has been created (www.gbr.wwf.org.au); with finding solutions to enable reports have been produced on prawn and scallop trawling, line people to use coastal and marine fisheries, aquaculture, land clearing, shipping safety, highly resources in a sustainable protected areas, and marine pollution, as well as a status report manner. Greater enforcement of on the Barrier Reef to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee; dates have been set for the mandatory use of turtle excluder regulations to control adverse and by-catch reduction devices, plus a 15 per cent reduction in impacts, such as illegal or trawling; the Marine Park has been extended by some harmful methods of fishing, also 6,000km2; a government review of shipping safety in Reef helped, notably in the Turtle waters is underway; military target practice in one of two areas Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in the of the Marine Park are to be phased out; and oil seismic Philippines. surveys adjacent to the World Heritage site have been stopped. Across the region, WWF established new partnerships — with research institutes, national government agencies, local government bodies, local communities, other NGOs, and business and industry. A feature of many partnerships was capacity building, strengthening Dugong. WWF-Canon/Jürgen Freund marine law enforcement,

34 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 environmental monitoring, park governance, and turtle conservation. Although still in its infancy, certification of marine fisheries continues to grow. WWF- Philippines continued its steps toward certification of the blue crab industry, carrying out stock assessment, a socio-economic and market analysis, and the development of a blue crab Award-winning activity — volunteers recording derelict fishing nets and management plan. If successful debris at Cape Arnhem, Northern Territory, Australia. WWF in its bid for the MSC certificate, the blue crab establishment of a national its partners, the Dhimurru Land industry will become the first marine and coastal protected Management Aboriginal artisanal, rather than area system covering 495,000ha. Corporation, Australia commercial, fishery to receive Also in Vietnam, the authorities Conservation Volunteers, and the label. In New Zealand, in the province of Con Dao the Northern Territories where the hoki fishery was accepted WWF’s proposals for Department of Primary Industry certified by the MSC during environmental management and and Fisheries, was made for the 2001, WWF has applied to the tourism plans, as well as the group’s efforts to combat marine government for funding to country’s first ever marine debris washed ashore on prepare a guide to fisheries zoning plan for a coastal area. In Australia’s northern beaches. certification, focusing on the the Solomon Islands, a national Looking ahead, WWF’s Marine Stewardship Council. moratorium was declared on the major focus in 2002 will be on Market incentives were also poisoning and exporting of live promoting the MSC standard for to the fore in the Philippines’ fish. And in Fiji, WWF’s commercial and artisanal Tubbataha Reefs National collaboration with local fisheries, and conservation of Marine Park (part of the Sulu- communities in seven villages coral reef systems through the Sulawesi Marine ecoregion), on Ono Island led to the creation ‘CoralWeb’initiative. where a park ‘conservation fee’ of a pilot marine protected area. was estimated to have generated An immediate benefit was Europe and the US$40,000 in just three months. noticed in better management Middle East The funds raised will help and regulation of fishing contribute to the independence activities. One of the greatest challenges to and long-term viability of the In New Zealand the industry WWF in its marine work is the 33,200ha national park. Already sector helped to develop plans to elimination of harmful EU recognized by UNESCO as a save the endangered North fishing subsidies which are World Heritage site, the park Island Hector’s dolphin, doing untold damage to global has now also been declared as a following WWF’s efforts in fish stocks. In November 2000, Ramsar site. Greater efforts at promoting the plight of the in collaboration with the law enforcement have helped to species. European Policy Centre, WWF reduce the encroachment of In Australia, WWF was opened the discussion on commercial fisheries in appointed to the country’s European fishing subsidies Tubbataha and at two other National Oceans Advisory amongst a wider public of marine sites, Mabini and Group. And WWF-Australia’s decision-makers, scientists, Tingloy. Tropical Wetlands of Oceania lawyers and journalists in a two- Other marine conservation Programme won the 2001 day symposium entitled ‘Fishing successes came in Vietnam Banksia Environmental Award in the Dark’. Aimed at where the government approved for environmental excellence. promoting transparency and WWF’s proposal for the The award, given to WWF and accountability in fishing

Oceans and Coasts 35 subsidies, WWF hopes the European subsidies enable their and Monaco, with Italy still to discussion will influence further fishing fleets to drop their nets sign, will strengthen efforts to debates in national capitals, as (see box on page 31: Sahelian protect the area’s whale and well as in relevant fora such as Upwelling). Al r e a d y , increasing dolphin populations from threats the Organisation for Economic pressure from WWF and other from fishing, pleasure vessels Cooperation and Development NGOs has encouraged European and commercial sea-going (OECD), the World Trade fishing ministers to announce traffic. Work will start in Organization (WTO), and FAO. reductions in fishing quotas for summer 2002 to map the The need for greater several commercial species. Th e movements and areas in which transparency was already decision was taken after warnings the whales and dolphins spend evident when, in July 2000, that valuable fish stocks, such as most of their time. WWF tried to obtain specific Irish Sea cod, were in imminent WWF is looking to establish information about fishing danger of collapse. more marine protected areas and subsidies from ten European WWF is calling for strict no-fishing zones in the countries. The responses were, protection of the wild Atlantic Mediterranean, a complex with rare exceptions, far from salmon which has disappeared challenge in a region of many satisfactory. This showed that completely from at least 309 countries and cultures. public access to information river systems in Europe and Negotiations are already in about fishing subsidies is not North America. Salmon catches progress in Croatia, Libya, sufficient to guarantee either in the entire North Atlantic fell Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, and accountability or good policy. A by more than 80 per cent Turkey. The recent creation of recent report commissioned by between 1970 and the end of the the 100km2 Zákynthos National WWF, Reforming EU Fisheries 1990s. Commercial ocean Park in Greece was a major Subsidies, authored by the harvesting of the species and the achievement for WWF’s Institute for European impacts of industrially farmed European marine programme. Environmental Policy, highlights salmon on wild salmon Tourism is also a prime focus further the need for accessible populations are among the issues of WWF work in the information on EU funding to of concern to WWF. Using the Mediterranean region, which the fishing sector. scientific data in a report attracts many millions of visitors WWF is also pressing for released in May 2001 — The each year. Mass tourism has ever reform of the European Common Status of Wild Atlantic Salmon: increasing impacts on nature, Fisheries Policy and a move A River by River Assessment — requiring appropriate and towards more sustainable fishery WWF is targeting decision- sensitive responses from the practices. By mounting a makers in European capitals, as tourism industry. To raise well as urging angling awareness on the issue, WW F associations and others to apply attended the tourism industry’s pressure for action. The report main international event in Berlin reveals that the species has in March 2001. The future will disappeared from rivers in see WWF work in collaboration Germany, Switzerland, the with some of the main Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech stakeholders in the industry to Republic, and Slovakia, and is develop a scheme that promotes on the brink of extinction in the natural values of the Estonia, Portugal, Poland, the Mediterranean Sea, and draws Loggerhead turtle swimming in United States, and parts of commitments from the tourism Langana Bay, Zákynthos, Greece. WWF-Canon/Michel Gunther Canada. industry to help protect it. The network of marine campaign on fisheries subsidies, protected areas in Europe has Latin America and the WWF is highlighting the grown with the establishment in Caribbean desperate situation facing fish the Mediterranean of the tri- stocks in European waters and in national Ligurian Sea Sanctuary. The oceans surrounding Latin other parts of the world where The treaty, ratified by France America and the Caribbean span

36 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 the spectrum from polar to tropical. Thirteen per cent of the Conserving ecoregions world’s corals reefs occur in the Caribbean, while off the coast of North-East Atlantic Shelf Peru an upwelling of nutrient- rich waters generates the most Eight different European countries border the North-East Atlantic Shelf ecoregion: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, productive fisheries in the Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. world. The Humbolt current The marine resources along the coasts of these countries have pushes these waters north to the long sustained human livelihoods, but it is only in recent Galapagos where they meet up decades that the exploitation of fisheries, oil and gas reserves, with warm tropical currents and tourism have grown to unsustainable levels. from the western Pacific, The ecoregion is rich in the wide array of habitats and plant and generating an amazing animal species it contains. Offshore there are cold water coral assemblage of marine habitats reefs, kelp forests, and deep-water fish, as well as seals, and species on the equator that whales, dolphins, porpoises, sharks and turtles, and ocean- includes penguins as well as going seabirds. Intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes, such as tropical fish. those of Europe’s largest coastal wetland, the Wadden Sea, Fisheries throughout the provide millions of migratory birds with essential resting and feeding places. Shallow offshore features such as the Dogger region have traditionally Bank provide crucial reproduction and migration places for large provided employment and numbers of marine invertebrate and fish. income for coastal residents. In recent decades however, a Threats to the ecoregion are steady increase in the size of numerous and come from both fishing fleets has led to land and sea. Toxic industrial chemicals, pesticides and overfishing, outstripping the nutrients enter the sea from land- productivity of many stocks and based sources via rivers and the leading to their depletion. This atmosphere. This pollution is in turn has driven many exacerbated by discharges of oil fishermen out of work. In and chemicals from offshore addition, some fisheries are platforms and merchant shipping. Fish stocks and marine catching many other, non-target ecosystems have come under species (by-catch), the heavy pressure from overfishing, ecological repercussions of by-catch, discards, and Puffin. which are spreading throughout destruction of reefs, sandbanks Canon-WWF/Michèle Dépraz the marine food web and and coral reefs by bottom trawling. threatening other fisheries and Then there are the risks from shipping and disturbance to sensitive areas by mass tourism, as well as growing offshore endangered species such as industrial installations. turtles. Well-managed marine To safeguard the ecoregion, WWF is focusing on the creation of protected areas (MPAs), a network of marine protected areas, sustainable fishing including species-rich estuaries, policies, and the cessation of toxic pollution by hazardous mangroves, seagrass beds, and chemicals. coral reefs, help to increase the Conservation successes to date include protection for the productivity of fisheries. MPAs shallowest cold water coral reef in Norwegian waters, up to 200 are also important economically metres below the ocean’s surface, and Marine Stewardship as they contribute to the creation Council certification of the Thames herring fishery in the UK, the of jobs and services, particularly first to carry the MSC logo. Fifteen NE Atlantic governments extended the list of hazardous chemicals requiring priority action in the tourism and recreation from 15 to 27. Currently, WWF is campaigning for the use of sectors. Well over 135 MPAs biocide-free antifouling paints by the shipping industry, and exist in the Latin America and pressing the offshore oil industry on environmental standards Caribbean region. However, this and habitat conservation in Ireland, Norway, and the UK. number still represents only a

Oceans and Coasts 37 small fraction of the 20 million and extensive network of km of marine area under the regional and international national jurisdiction of the partnerships. region’s governments, and many Fundación Vida Silvestre of them are poorly managed. Argentina (FVSA), WWF’s Several advances were made Associate organization in during the year. WWF was the Argentina, purchased the Monte first international conservation León Ranch on the southern or ganization to respond to the coast of the Patagonian Santa Je s s i c a fuel spill in the Cruz province. The property Galapagos, establishing an covers 60,000ha of Patagonian em e r gency fund of US$340,000 steppe and includes more than and spearheading with the 30km of South Atlantic coast, Research being carried out into the Galapagos National Park Service impact of crab pots on the fragile with sea lions, cormorants, the rescue and rehabilitation sea grasses of the Gulf of guanacos, and penguins. In the ef forts of the islands. WW F California, Mexico. near future, FVSA will work continues to play a leading role WWF-Canon/Edward Parker with government officials to in influencing fisheries protect some of the adjacent sustainable tourism and fisheries management within the reserve. marine areas. while helping to establish and One of WWF’s priority The Gulf of California is one effectively manage new and ecoregions is the Mesoamerican of the largest and most diverse existing marine protected areas. Caribbean Reef which extends semi-enclosed bodies of water To assure long-term support for some 700km from the northern in the world. WWF has selected tip of the Yucatan peninsula in conservation of the ecoregion this rich sea as one of its Mexico to the Bay Islands off WWF is collaborating with the priority ecoregions. Within it, the coast of Honduras. It four national conservation trust WWF’s Gulf of California team contains the largest coral reef funds — in Belize, Guatemala, has worked with scientists from system in the Atlantic. WWF is Honduras, and Mexico — to Mexico and the Scripps Institute working in the reef to shape discuss the development of an of Oceanography to develop a economic development and ecoregional funding mechanism. scientific method for selecting strengthen local conservation Conservation of the reef the most biologically important efforts. This includes support to depends upon WWF’s diverse sites to make up a network of marine protected areas. These areas contain critical spawning W W F ’s Global Conservation Programme — aggregations of commercially Expenditure on Marine Conservation FY 2 0 0 1 important fish and shellfish species, as well as critical CHF,000 habitats for whales, turtles and

8,000 birds. From this work the priorities for biodiversity 7,000 6,628 conservation were defined in a 6,000 planning workshop sponsored 4,829 5,000 by WWF, Conservation 3,960 International and a coalition of 4,000 local academic and government 3,165 3,000 partners in Mexico. The next 2,610 2,086 steps are to win protection and 2,000 introduce sensitive management 858 1,000 of the areas for the benefit of threatened and endangered 0 Africa Asia Europe Latin North Conservation Campaigns species, as well as the important America America Policy local fishing industry.

38 species

t is estimated that only about one-te of the 15 million species thought to live on Earth has been described. For each I beetle, mollusc, or fungus identified, there are at least ten yet to be discovered. Each of these myriad plants and animals plays a vital part in the intricate web of life on our planet. In geological terms extinction is normal. Successful anti-poaching efforts are What isn't are the current rates. And the loss helping African elephants to increase of any species is especially tragic when due to their numbers. WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey human activities that could have been averted. Scientists estimate that about 7 per cent of the Global highlights approximately 50,000 vertebrate species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and n Twelve poachers-turned-law enforcers are fish) are threatened with extinction over the now employed in the anti-poaching units in next 20 years, including a staggering 25 per Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in Sumatra, cent of all mammals and 12 per cent of all Indonesia, putting their knowledge to good use for the conservation of tigers. birds. In order to maximize its impact and inspire n With the Thai Elephant Conservation people to support nature conservation, WWF Centre and Royal Forestry Department, has chosen to focus its efforts on a small WWF helped develop Thailand’s first ever number of well-known, charismatic species. conservation action plan for the Asian These include giant pandas, tigers, elephants, elephant. rhinos, great apes, marine turtles, and whales. n The Russian government has set the Over the next few years, WWF will work commercial fishing quota for beluga with its many partners to secure the long-term sturgeon at zero in an urgent attempt to survival of these key species. Successful prevent the famous fish from becoming conservation of these animals and their extinct. habitats will also benefit the thousands of n No serious upsurges in elephant poaching lesser known plants and animals with which were reported in any of the key areas in they co-exist and are interdependent. which WWF operates across the range of There are many factors threatening species, the African elephant. including habitat loss, overhunting, invasive alien species, pollution, climate change, and n A survey of the blind Indus river dolphin in Pakistan revealed that some 1,000 unintentional by-catch. WWF’s Species individuals live in the lower reaches of the Programme has chosen to place special river. Habitat fragmentation and drought emphasis on both habitat loss and wildlife are the main threats to its survival. trade. n The 1,000th golden lion tamarin was born Susan Lieberman in Brazil’s Atlantic forest, the result of successful conservation action dating back Director, Species Programme to 1984.

Species 39 horned rhinos of Asia; African Species conservation W W F ’s vision for elephant; Asian elephant; h i g h l i g h t s s p e c i e s leatherback, loggerhead, green, hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Kemps Overview WWF’s vision for its Ridley, and flatback marine Species Programme is a turtles; gorilla, chimpanzee, The world’s fauna and flora lie world in which the orang utan, and bonobos; and at the heart of WWF’s mission intrinsic, aesthetic, endangered cetaceans including to conserve biodiversity. For economic and ecological most of the ‘great’ baleen values of species are four decades, WWF has been whales and smaller cetaceans conserving the global ‘web of recognized and such as vaquita, harbour life’, combating habitat loss, respected worldwide porpoise, and river dolphins. and that, as a result, unsustainable use and species The action plans for these environmental extinction, focusing particular species will differ depending on degradation and attention on globally important the focus and size of the group. unsustainable use no flagship species. Despite many Whilst panda and black rhinos, longer threaten the successes, such as bringing the for example, will be quite survival of wild plants polar bear and the Bengal tiger specific, direct and substantial, and animals and their back from the brink of marine turtles and endangered crucial habitats. extinction, the challenge in cetaceans may well focus on keeping species safe from a issues that target a number of growing number of threats is species in a more generic sense. Ta r g e t s becoming increasingly difficult. In implementing these action IUCN’s latest ‘Red List’ warns plans at field and global levels Continuing its 40-year work to — both of which rely on strong that at least 12 per cent of all conserve key plant and animal public, political and institutional plants and birds, and a massive species representative of the support — WWF and its partners 25 per cent of all mammals face Earth’s biological diversity, will complement the work with extinction in the near future. The WWF’s Species Programme is critical interventions in market main risks to their survival are structured around two inter- research, law enforcement from loss of habitat and its related targets: the first focused assistance, advocacy, fragmentation, illegal wildlife on species of global concern and campaigning, and on-the-ground trade, overuse, loss of prey base, their habitats, and the second on actions, as well as encouraging pollution, and climate change. the cross-cutting issue of consumers to avoid the use of The animal for which WW F wildlife trade: species or products subject to is best known is the giant panda, overexploitation. Global threats, the symbol of the orga n i z a t i o n n By 2010, populations of key in particular unsustainable and for conservation globally. species of global concern are wildlife trade, will be tackled Published to coincide with stabilized or increased and through close collaboration with WW F ’ s 40th anniversary, the their critical habitats the TRAFFIC network. report Giant Pandas in the Wil d safeguarded. To support conservation work states that the disappearance and in the Global 200 Ecoregions, the fragmentation of the panda’s n By 2010, at least ten species Species Programme will also rugged mountain forest home are of global concern are no help in implementing the major dangers facing pandas longer endangered by conservation strategies for in the wild. In Sichuan Province overexploitation. threatened plants such as big- in China, where the greatest leafed mahogany, and threatened number of giant pandas struggle The species chosen by WWF mammals such as snow leopard, for survival, suitable habitat for species action plans are: la r ge carnivores and herbivores, occupied by pandas shrank by 50 giant panda; tiger; black and river dolphins, porpoises, and per cent between 1974 and 1989. white rhinos of Africa; Javan, important fish species including A survey in 1999 in one county Sumatran and greater one- the blue fin tuna and whale shark. in Sichuan revealed that since

40 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 1987 there has been a 30 per cent Turtles swimming against the tide decrease in panda habitat. Tod a y , there are around 1,000 Marine turtles in the northern Caribbean have, over the giant pandas remaining in the centuries, been devastated by overexploitation, bringing some wild. The results from the three- populations to the brink of extinction and severely threatening year National Giant Panda others. A report by TRAFFIC — the wildlife trade programme of WWF and IUCN — revealed that demand for turtle meat, eggs Survey started in 1999, in which and other products remains strong in many parts of the region, WWF is helping the Chinese despite efforts to restrict hunting. To stem the tide of government, will set the trend destruction, greater cooperation between the countries of the for future conservation effo r t s . Caribbean is urgently needed. WWF believes that urgent action is required to identify and The report, Swimming Against The Tide, reviewed the exploitation, trade, and management of the six species of establish corridors to link marine turtles that occur in 11 countries and territories of the isolated panda populations. In northern Caribbean. Sea turtle meat and eggs are regularly addition, the Chinese consumed, and products made from turtle oil, cartilage, skin government needs to set up a and shell continue to be sold at tourist centres, including permanent fund to combat international airports, in violation of domestic legislation. chronic financial shortages in The management and control of turtle exploitation varies greatly panda reserves. across the region. Some countries have allocated significant The world’s most resources to manage and conserve marine turtles, while others endangered whale is the have done little. Legislation is excellent in some countries but northern right whale, which incomplete and outdated in others. Enforcement of controls and occurs in the North Atlantic. regulations is strict in some countries, but nearly non-existent WWF has forged partnerships elsewhere. with the International Maritime Lack of information is a severe problem. In addition to further Organisation, the New England research on the distribution of turtle populations and migration Aquarium and IUCN’s Cetacean patterns, more intense efforts are needed to compile data on Specialist Group in efforts to harvesting of turtles and eggs, as well as levels of poaching save it. The cornerstone for and illegal trade, incidental catch, and product seizures. Greater information exchange is also needed between countries. securing the future of the whale TRAFFIC proposes the establishment of a regional repository is WWF’s recently developed for such information, as well as a centralized database of whale conservation programme seizures and prosecutions to assist authorities in assessing and action plan. The most trends in law enforcement, trade routes, levels of illegal trade, serious threats that need to be values of products, and smuggling methods. overcome are collisions with Countries in the Caribbean need to work closely together to vessels and entanglement in reduce the threats to shared marine turtle populations. Regular fishing nets, both of which are dialogue and bilateral or multilateral agreements and common causes of injury and management plans are essential. Much more needs to be done death. to build regional cooperation in areas such as information WW F ’ s campaign in the exchange, legislation, enforcement, training, capacity building, International Wh a l i n g and public awareness. Only then can the strong demand for turtles and turtle products be curbed, and marine turtle Commission (IWC) to end populations in the northern Caribbean rebuilt and conserved. uncontrolled commercial whaling is part of the broader Leatherback hatchling, Guyana, South America. ef fort to minimize human WWF-Canon/Roger Leguen impacts on all cetaceans, whether from commercial exploitation, marine pollution, climate change, or a growing array of other human-induced threats. As completely international, migratory species,

41 whales are the only one of WW F ’ s ‘flagship species’to Conserving ecoregions have their own international convention, so this is a crucial The Cape Floral Kingdom forum for WWF advocacy. Ho w e v e r , the IWC is currently There are only six floral kingdoms in the world. Of these, the Cape Floral Kingdom, at the southern tip of Africa, is the only failing to establish control over one found entirely within one country. Extending over whaling by Japan and Norway 90,000km2, it is home to more indigenous plant species than which is still taking place in any other similar sized area on Earth, and at least 70 per cent spite of the global moratorium. of the 9,600 species occur nowhere else. The IWC is facing deadlock between the pro-whaling and The characteristic vegetation type is ‘Fynbos’, the most famous species of which include a wealth of cut flowers and garden non-whaling member states, and plants such as proteas, window-box geraniums and sweet- this is threatening its very scented freesias. Plants used traditionally as herbal teas, existence. WWF has been perfumes and roofing thatch now contribute to job creation and vigorously lobbying key IWC the region’s economy. This is boosted by the millions of visitors members, both whalers and non- who visit the Western and Eastern Cape provinces each year. whalers, to agree acceptable Surrounding the Cape Floral Kingdom are important marine, solutions to the impasse, so as to coastal and freshwater environments. More than 11,000 species do everything possible to prevent of marine animals and 800 sea-weeds have been recorded. whaling once again becoming a These resources provide income and employment for coastal threat to the most endangered communities involved in commercial and subsistence fishing whales. Such solutions need to and the tourism industry. include new safeguards — Due to a number of factors, at least 1,400 plant species are including highly precautionary now endangered or close to extinction. Stocks of some marine catch limits and provisions on fish and shellfish, in particular abalone, are now dangerously monitoring, surveillance, and low, and 14 of the 19 species of freshwater fish are facing control — that would bring the extinction. The direct threats to biodiversity are symptoms of a whalers back under full IWC deeper set of problems relating to people’s perceptions and political will. These are the fundamental challenges to address if control. WW F ’ s past successes the biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom is to survive and to in the IWC, including the 1986 continue supporting local livelihoods. global moratorium and the 1994 Southern Ocean whale sanctuary, The Cape Action Plan for the Environment (CAPE) was initiated were all achieved by working to develop a long-term strategy to conserve biodiversity in the with other large NGOs as Kingdom’s terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecosystems. partners. In the current complex Cape sugarbird, endemic to the Managed on behalf of the situation this is more diffi c u l t , Fynbos region and the main South African government by pollinator of Proteacheae but is still being done wherever WWF-South Africa, after two flowers. WWF-Canon/Martin Harvey po s s i b l e . years of analysis, consultation At both the Climate Summit and planning, the Action Plan in Bonn and the IWC meeting in was presented to public and potential donors in September London, WWF called on 2000. governments to take action to ensure a future for blue whales. The CAPE project has provided The blue whale population in the people of South Africa, in the Antarctic was drastically particular those who live within reduced by commercial whaling, the boundaries of the Cape Floral Kingdom, with from 250,000 a century ago to tremendous hope, and has probably below 1,000 today. inspired the conservation The population has shown little community with vision and sign of recovery since blue energy to turn plans into action. whales were officially protected

42 from whaling more than 35 years ago. Following a study released by the British Royal Society, WWF warned that the main food source for Antarctic blue whales, krill, is under threat due to melting polar ice, linked to climate change. If this decline continues it will Blue whale — climate change and commercial fishing is seriously affecting seriously affect the entire the supply of krill in Antarctic waters, adding to the pressures on this giant of ecosystem of the Southern the seas. WWF-Canon/Pieter Lagendyk Ocean and could lead to the extinction of the blue whale in in ivory, and Kenya, which along Community) Rhino the Antarctic. The study with India had proposed the Conservation Programme, with concluded that the demand for return of all elephant populations funding from the Italian krill now exceeds supply. to CITES Appendix 1. Whilst the government. In Zimbabwe, Compounding the threat of dialogue was unable to achieve black rhino births increased the climate change to krill agreement on the proposals, it population in reserves from 194 populations is the interest shown certainly paved the way to the to 209, while in Kwazulu-Natal by several countries to step up compromise solution that was and Kruger National Park in the commercial krill fishery, agreed during the CITES South Africa, rhino numbers possibly to unsustainable levels. conference: Kenya’s resolution have increased at between 6 and WWF fears that this activity was withdrawn; South Af r i c a ’ s 7 per cent over the last five to could be the final nail in the elephants were downlisted; trade seven years. coffin of the blue whale. in non-ivory products was given All of WWF’s rhino field the green light; and no projects are carried out through Africa and Madagascar populations were returned to partnerships with range state Appendix 1. Two WWF staff wildlife management authorities The African continent contains members — Dr Holly Dublin and/or private custodians or animals which come under four and Dr Martin Tchamba — were landowners. Two obstacles of WWF’s ‘flagship’species subsequently appointed to the continue to impede progress: groups: African Elephant, black CITES Technical Ad v i s o r y declining range state budgets for and white rhinos, great apes, Group established for the rhino conservation, and major and marine turtles. Full international system to monitor staffing turnovers. WWF’s programmes are in place for illegal killing of elephants Zimbabwe Rhino Conservancy work on elephants and rhinos. (M I K E ) . faced the greatest challenge over Programmes for apes and turtles African rhinos have been the past year as a result of still are currently in preparation. To reported to be stable or unresolved land issues leading help WWF assess its overall increasing in all but one of the to a large number of people conservation impact, a number populations that WWF is moving onto and settling on the of other species are also being supporting. Kenya’s 420 black conservancies. monitored. rhinos were reported to be Elephant conservation moved Preparations for the 11t h increasing at a rate of 4 per cent a technological notch higher CITES Conference of Parties per year. Seventeen rhinos were under a joint WWF/North included the Fourth Af r i c a n successfully translocated from Carolina Zoo project in Range States Dialogue in Nairobi National Park and Cameroon when three animals Nairobi. This meeting was Oljogi Ranch to Tsavo East were fitted with satellite collars devoted to relieving the tension National Park. WWF’s southern to track movements in the Waza between the four range states Africa office joined a Logone, Kalamaloué and (Botswana, Namibia, South consortium of agencies to begin Benoué National Parks. No Africa and Zimbabwe) that were implementation of the SADC serious upsurges in elephant proposing further limited trade (Southern Africa Development poaching were reported in any

Species 43 of the range areas in which and 7,684 respectively, are also presence of a group of western WWF operates. Cross-border reported to be increasing. lowland gorillas, composed of efforts to tackle poaching are One of the main threats to an adult male silverback, a being made in Cameroon, Africa’s great apes is the female and a one-year old baby, Central African Republic, Congo escalating bushmeat trade. should allow limited gorilla- and Gabon. And successful anti- Despite this, no losses of based tourism in the Dzanga- poaching efforts continued in the mountain gorillas were reported Sangha Forest reserve. Selous Game Reserve in during the year by the WWF- Tanzania, which now has one of supported International Gorilla Asia and the Pacific the largest elephant populations Conservation Programme, and in Africa at nearly 65,000 the 620 mountain gorillas in the Tigers featured strongly in the animals — almost twice what it Virunga mountains and Bwindi past year’s long list of was twelve years ago. The National Park all continue to conservation successes for Zimbabwe and Namibia survive. In Central Africa, the WWF’s species work across the populations, estimated at 84,000 successful habituation to human Asia/Pacific region. Activities in Bhutan, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Nepal, and Thailand included increased protection, People and Plants anti-poaching, initiation of community-based tiger Since 1997, the People and Plants Programme, a joint initiative of WWF, UNESCO and Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, in conservation, monitoring of collaboration with the Nepalese Department of National Parks population sizes, and tracking and Wildlife Conservation, has worked with the people of Dolpa the illegal trade in tiger parts. In in a remote area of Nepal close to the Tibetan border to Indonesia, WWF completed the conserve medicinal plants — the vital basis of traditional training and recruitment of anti- healthcare. poaching units in Bukit Trade in medicinal plants from the Himalayas has been growing Tigapuluh National Park in rapidly — between 40–80 tonnes being exported annually from Sumatra, where at least six Dolpa alone. The building of a small airstrip 20 years ago tigers were reported to have resulted in greater access and increased pressure on been killed in 1998-1999. vulnerable species. Selling medicinal plants is also an attractive Twelve poachers-turned-law proposition in this poor area, where few income-generating opportunities exist. enforcers are now employed in the team. In Bhutan, the first Over the past four years the People and Plants team has tried photographic evidence came of to gain a holistic understanding of the ecological, social, tigers living above 3,000 metres, economic, cultural, and religious dimensions of conservation while the first ever photographs and sustainable use at Dolpa. Surveys revealed the breadth of were taken in Cambodia of knowledge among local healers (‘amchis’), with up to 375 plants used in treatments in the lower Dolpa alone. The amchis know tigers in the wild. where the plants grow and how to harvest them properly. A There was considerable survey found 18 species to be traded in large quantities and activity during 2001 under judging by the continuing growth in herbal medicine worldwide, WW F ’ s Asian Rhino and the number of species traded and quantities may well rise. Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) programme, launched Two major targets for further work were identified as a result of these surveys: development of a community-based model for in 1998. In Nepal, 21 rhinos have medicinal plants management and enhancement of the now been translocated from capacities of the amchis and women to improve local health- Royal Chitwan National Park to care. The inauguration of a Traditional Health Care Centre in Royal Bardia National Park, June 2000 represented a milestone in this work, and another raising the number of rhinos centre is planned. Efforts will also be made to create awareness there to over 75. The US Fish of this project elsewhere in the Himalayas, given the great need in the whole region to improve ways in which medicinal plants and Wildlife Service co-funded are managed for the benefit of local communities and beyond. the operation, which was carried out by the Nepalese Department

44 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 of National Parks and Wil d l i f e Conservation and the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation. An experimental translocation of four rhinos to Royal Sukhlaphanta Wil d l i f e Reserve also took place. Efforts to boost anti- poaching patrols in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park, the jewel in the country’s network of protected areas, were One of 21 rhinos translocated from Nepal’s Royal Chitwan National Park to Royal Bardia National Park, raising the number of rhinos there to over 75. successful in that no Javan WWF Nepal rhinos have been lost during the last twelve months. A steady country’s first ever conservation balance between economic growth in ecotourism in the park action plan for the Asian needs and those of conservation is also boosting the livelihood of elephant. In addition, 16 without damaging the integrity local communities. In Vietnam, elephants were reintroduced into of the park. To date, WWF, with rhinos have returned to the the wild in three areas, and support from the Dutch Phuoc Son salt lick after further releases are planned. government, has been successful negotiations with Further surveys of Asian instrumental in establishing an local people to stop farming the elephants have taken place in environmental education centre area. To improve protection for north-east Cambodia to which provides schoolchildren rhinos and other animals in the determine the species’ and visitors with information park, three guard stations have distribution, seasonal about the park and involves been built and kitted out with movements, preferred habitat, them in educational activities radios and motorbikes, and a seasonal water sources, salt along the park’s nature trails. high-speed boat provided for licks, and food sources. Much of In June 2001, an agreement patrolling the adjacent Dong Nai the research effort to date has on the conservation of River. also helped build capacity albatrosses and petrels was Following intense lobbying among Cambodian signed at Au s t r a l i a ’ s Parliament by WWF in Indonesia, the conservationists to plan and House by representatives of all Governor of Riau province conduct surveys on their own southern hemisphere nations made a recommendation to the and share their findings with the surrounding the Southern Ocean federal government that the international community. (the home range of the birds) Tesso Nilo area be set aside as A recommendation by the and by nations with interests in an elephant conservation area. Vietnamese Vice Prime Minister the region. WWF-Australia has However, influential timber to redraw the boundaries of Cat previously advocated companies and logging groups Ba Marine National Park and successfully for the listing of are fighting the proposal and the allocate the park’s buffer zones albatrosses on the country’s outcome is far from certain. If for commercial aquaculture Endangered Species Act (1992) WWF fails, the entire forest could have adverse and for the listing of commercial may be completely logged over consequences on plant and long-line fishing as a main cause within the next seven years. animal life, especially the of seabird mortality. WWF now needs to demonstrate golden-headed langur. This A seven-week survey of how protecting the area can critically endangered primate is Indus river dolphins along the benefit both local communities only found in the wild on Cat entire 1,370km length of the and government. Ba Island in Halong Bay. Its Indus concluded that some 1,000 In Thailand, WWF helped population is believed to number individuals inhabit its lower the Thai Elephant Conservation as few as 100 individuals. WWF reaches. The data collected by a Centre and Royal Forestry is looking to engage in dialogue team of biologists from WW F Department develop the with government to find a and the government of Pakistan

Species 45 will enable conservationists to secure a future for this peculiar, blind species. Described as a ‘living fossil’, the Indus river dolphin is one of only five species that have, over a period of millions of years, adapted to living in fresh water. It uses high-frequency sound to navigate, socialize and locate its Siamese crocodile — subject of a reintroduction programme in Vietnam. prey in much the same way as a WWF/B Hayes modern submarine uses sonar. A private breeders and research WWF has produced a serious threat to the survival of institutes collaborated with ‘shadow list’ of Natura 2000 the dolphin is entrapment in WWF to develop a plan to sites which have yet to be narrow irrigation canals. Th e reintroduce the endangered designated by national population has been fragmented Siamese crocodile. And a WWF governments. Within a year of into different sections of the survey of wild orchids in Papua publishing this list, the number river by construction of barrages New Guinea’s Moro and Lake of candidate sites officially that divert water into the world’s Kutubu areas recorded 345 proposed by Member States had la r gest irrigation system. Th e s e species, including at least 20 increased by nearly a quarter. small populations have slowly new to science. Simultaneously, WWF has been dwindled due to inbreeding or as In 2002, the AREAS lobbying governments and animals wash downstream programme will focus on issues working with the European during floods. Recent extreme of poaching, human/wildlife Commission to influence the droughts in South Asia have conflict, and habitat way in which the EU’s vast made the situation worse as fragmentation. A regional tiger expenditure on agriculture and water levels drop to record lows, conservation action plan will regional development is applied. drastically reducing the areas of also be launched, as will the WWF believes that river available to the dolphins. Asia/Pacific component of the implementation of the Habitats In other highlights, two rare global marine turtle species Directive can only succeed if dolphin species — the action plan. Preparations will these huge EU budgets are Irrawaddy dolphin and the Indo- also get under way for the 12th redirected to support sustainable Pacific humpback dolphin — CITES conference. rural development. As a member were found in the waters of the of the European Habitats Forum, Kikori reserve in Papua New Europe and the WWF is actively engaged in the Guinea. The remains of an Middle East ‘Natura 2000’ site selection unidentified species of deer process, working to ensure that were discovered in Bhutan’s The EU Habitats Directive — the network’s coverage really Thrumshingla National Park. the most important nature will provide adequate protection Scientists have yet to establish conservation legislation in for Europe’s threatened species whether it is a species new to Europe — entered into force in and habitats. The 13 ‘Candidate science or that of the extinct 1992. However, its countries’, mostly in central and Bhutan Shou deer. In Vietnam, implementation has been at best eastern Europe, queuing to join disappointing. WWF is the EU will have to comply with This Indus river dolphin was found campaigning vigorously to the Habitats Directive from day trapped in an irrigation channel and released back into the river. speed up realization of the one of their membership. ‘Natura 2000’network which, Recognizing the rich when complete, will comprise biodiversity of the region, WWF thousands of sites of is pressing for full and speedy outstanding importance for both implementation, with a special habitats and species across EU focus on priority Global 200 Member States. Ecoregions such as the

46 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, the to kill up to 20 wolves in conservation of large mammals Danube, and the Carpathian response to complaints from such as leopard, Mediterranean Mountains. sheep farmers about losing deer, Barbary ape, golden jackal, WWF currently has two livestock to carnivores. In July, a and brown bear. initiatives underway to save or licence to cull four more wolves reintroduce large carnivores and was issued after 22 sheep were Latin America and the large herbivores to appropriate claimed to have been wounded Caribbean natural sites within Europe. Key or killed by wolves. An advisory to the success of these panel of Swedish and In Latin America and the programmes are public Norwegian scientists concluded Caribbean, where habitat loss awareness, in particular to gain that a minimum of 500 wolves is remains the greatest threat to the public acceptance for carnivores needed for the long-term survival of plant and animal like the wolf, and adequate viability of the wolf in South species, WWF has opted to protection and management of Scandinavia. WWF-Norway has focus on two ‘flagship’ species: the species’ habitats. Through been pressing the government to marine turtles and mahogany. these initiatives WWF hopes to explain the official rationale The oceans surrounding the see stable and successful behind the decisions. western hemisphere contain six of populations of animals such as In collaboration with the the seven species of marine brown bears, wolves, Iberian TRAFFIC programme and a turtles. While some species, such lynxes, wolverines, wild horses, wide range of international as the Pacific Olive Ridley, have bison, gazelles, wild goats and NGOs, WWF has set up a pan- recovered from the brink of wild sheep re-established in European migratory fish project extinction, the Pacific leatherback former ranges across Europe. To with a particular focus on has plummeted in spite of effo r t s date, Konik horses have been salmon and sturgeon. The first to protect traditional nesting successfully reintroduced to success came in Russia when the beaches. Others, such as the green Latvia; the European Bison has government set the commercial turtle of the Gulf of California been returned to its original fishing quota for beluga and the Galapagos, and the habitat in Russia and Poland, sturgeon to zero. The long-term hawksbill turtle of the Caribbean where about 30,000ha of benefit of sturgeon conservation continue to be threatened by grasslands have become newly will be further promoted, along illegal harvesting for meat, eggs protected areas; and the number with public awareness and shells. of Mongolian Saiga antelopes campaigns for the conservation The largest concentration of has more than doubled since of threatened aquatic species. leatherbacks in the world is 1998 thanks to appropriate Among future initiatives in observed every year from March protection of its home range in Europe, in the Mediterranean to August in the Guianas the Altai-Sayan ecoregion. region WWF will be placing (Guyana, Suriname and French According to the most recent special emphasis on terrestrial Guiana). During this year’s tally of wolves in Norway and ecoregions, aiming at nesting season an average of 70 Sweden, the South Scandinavian leatherbacks were sighted per population numbers Eurasian lynx — part of WWF’s night on the beaches of French approximately 80 animals in up Large Carnivore Initiative in Europe. Guiana, whereas in 2000 up to WWF-Canon/Roger Leguen to twelve family groups, three of 300 were recorded per night which roam only in Norway. during the month of June. An WWF and five other NGOs in alarming number of strandings Sweden and Norway launched a have occurred this year; during strong attack on the Norwegian April, the number of dead government’s wildlife policy leatherback turtles found on the after permission was granted to beaches of French Guiana shoot nine wolves in February sometimes reached 11 a day. To 2001. The government’s tackle this problem, the WWF Directorate for Nature Guianas Forests and Management originally proposed Environmental Conservation

Species 47 Project is providing financial Mahogany and its Implications and technical support for for the Conservation of the increased patrolling of coastal Species, the equivalent of about waters near the nesting beaches. 57,000 big-leafed mahogany The initiative also aims to trees was harvested and shipped address the issue of incidental to the US in 1998 alone to by-catch of marine turtles in the supply a robust business in fishing industry. The Guyana mahogany furniture. Marine Turtle Conservation Where it has been depleted Society, WWF’s partner in in the Caribbean and Central Guyana, is working with the America, mahogany is now Ministry of Agriculture and being harvested from the denser, Fisheries to establish a tropical forests of Latin Mahogany supports many plant and temporary fishing ban in the animal species and local America, including Peru and coastal waters off the nesting economies. WWF-Canon/Paul Forster Brazil, in some of the most beaches and launched biologically diverse regions in environmental education efforts commercially extinct throughout the world. Roads designed for targeting fishermen. much of their ranges. However, felling high-value trees like Mahogany, especially big- demand for this valuable timber mahogany allow access to leafed mahogany, is a keystone is still high, with the United migrating farmers who convert species, both ecologically and States driving a highly lucrative the forests to farmland, economically. One of the tallest trade in big-leafed mahogany increasing the loss of plant and trees in Neotropical America, it that threatens some of the animal species. In Peru, the supports a multitude of plant world’s most valuable distance from mahogany forests and animal species and many Amazonian rainforests. A recent to mills is increasing, indicating healthy local economies. Big- study by TRAFFIC found that that forests are being mined, not leafed mahogany is currently the the US accounts for 60 per cent managed. The report states that most commercially important of of the global mahogany trade. consumers, importers and the species, replacing Honduran According to the report governments can demand and and Caribbean mahogany, both Mahogany Matters: The US buy mahogany products that are of which are considered Market for Big-Leafed certified environmentally friendly by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Currently, two US companies W W F ’s Global Conservation Programme — import FSC-certified mahogany, Expenditure on Species Conservation FY 2 0 0 1 but the demand, and the supply, is increasing. Big-leafed CHF,000 mahogany is a valuable

16,000 component of many local economies and should continue 14,000 being harvested. It simply needs 12,000 to be done in a more methodical 9,939 10,000 fashion that ensures a long-term supply and the survival of 7,609 7,779 8,000 threatened and endangered

6,000 species.

4,000 2,902 2,280 1,513 2,000

0 0 Africa Asia Europe Latin North Conservation Campaigns America America Policy

48 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 climate change

n the last six years, climate change moved from the back page to the front. It has gone from an issue that I governments could ignore, to one that affects foreign policy and national elections. It is fair to say that non-governmental organizations generally, and WWF specifically, can claim a good deal of the responsibility for lifting climate change to the The green option — a wind farm in the Netherlands where 200,000 homes are top of the political agenda. now plugged into renewable energy. WWF has been present and active in the WWF-Netherlands key moments of the climate debate — highlighting the scientific basis for action, Global highlights convincing companies to move forward, engaging the public, and pressuring n 178 countries, but excluding the United governments to adopt a serious approach to States, signed up to the Kyoto Protocol at climate change. The acceptance by 178 the climate summit in Bonn in July. WWF countries of the climate treaty in July 2001 is is now campaigning for rapid ratification of the treaty. While the deal is weaker than but the start of a whole new phase of work. hoped for, it provides a sound architecture Huge challenges lie ahead, not least for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. ratification of the treaty and positive steps to turn promises into reality. n IBM, Johnson and Johnson, and Polaroid WWF is well prepared to face those became the first three international companies to sign up to WWF’s Climate challenges head on by using the lessons it has Savers programme, committing learned over the last six years to move the themselves to making absolute reductions world to the next stage — a world where in their greenhouse gas emissions. carbon has a value, businesses have carbon n 140 companies from nine countries management plans, and governments are held including the US and Japan signed the truly accountable for their actions on climate European Business Council for change. WWF is well placed and ready to go. Sustainable Energy’s ‘e-mission 55 — Business for Climate’ backing the Kyoto Protocol. Jennifer Morgan

Director, Climate Change Programme n Following a WWF campaign to promote renewable energy in the Netherlands, more than 200,000 households are now subscribing to green electricity, prompting WWF to consider mounting a European- wide consumer campaign.

n In Brazil, climate change is now a key factor in planning new protected areas.

Climate Change 49 the reduction of vulnerability evidence of climate change W W F ’s vision for to climate change. impacts on biodiversity. WWF climate change will continue to document the The Intergovernmental Panel impacts of climate change on WWF’s vision for climate on Climate Change (IPCC) states wildlife and develop appropriate change is that, by 2030, that a 60–80 per cent reduction conservation strategies, the supply and use of in carbon dioxide (CO2) particularly in the Global 200 energy and raw emissions is necessary by 2050 Ecoregions. materials will have been to avoid serious climate change transformed. Policy- impacts. A 10 per cent cut in Combating climate makers, the private CO 2 emissions in industrialized c h a n g e sector, and investors — countries by 2010 will ensure driven by pressure from that investments and Overview civil society — will have technological progress are made taken action to reduce Developing a coherent and carbon dioxide that will enable deeper cuts in emissions and curb the future. Actions aimed at cross-cutting strategy on climate human-induced global reducing emissions will include change is fundamental to warming. Serious an initial focus on the power effective conservation. In most damage to the world’s se c t o r , this being the large s t regions, global warming will

most important areas contributor (34%) to world CO2 tend to exacerbate the pressures from climate change will emissions, possessing the already being exerted on natural be avoided. greatest reduction potential and ecosystems and, in some cases, being a sector in which WW F will lead to radical shifts in already has some experience. species distribution and loss of Ta r g e t s This will be complemented by ecological functions. Through its pushing for legislation governing campaigning work on climate CO emissions from the power change, WWF aims to To achieve its vision WWF’s 2 sector in major industrialized contribute — through a mixture Climate Change Programme has countries and a continued effo r t of advocacy, policy work, set three global targets: to obtain entry into force of the partnerships and Kyoto Protocol by the time of communications — to ensuring n By 2010, ten per cent the Rio+10 Summit on that policies to reduce reduction below 1990 Sustainable Development in greenhouse gas emissions are emissions in industrialized September 2002. effectively implemented around country carbon dioxide The second target aims at the world before these impacts emissions laying the foundations for become overwhelming. solutions to climate change in During the last two years, n By 2010, initiatives should developing countries, through WWF’s Climate Change be underway in 30 commitments from multinational Campaign has concentrated on developing countries to investors and national three areas: continuing to raise implement solutions leading legislation. Initially, the focus awareness of the magnitude of to a significant reduction in will be on the Asia/Pacific the global warming problem; carbon intensity, in particular region where emissions growth demonstrating the availability of from the combustion of rates and projected gross cost-effective solutions; and fossil fuels emissions are high, and where, pressing for credible national with energy market and international climate change n By 2010, 50 countries are liberalization and trade and policies. The campaign has implementing adaptation investment patterns, there are continued to focus public and strategies in key increasing opportunities to work political attention on the need ecoregions/biomes and with the private sector. for immediate action, sectors of their economies on The third target is a direct highlighting the threats to the the basis of national plans for response to the increasing Earth’s key ecoregions. Studies

50 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 published include: impacts on biodiversity, showing likely Campaigning for the Kyoto Protocol extinctions due to the inability of species to adapt sufficiently 2001 began with the election of George W Bush as the new President of the USA. As a candidate, Mr Bush had voiced his rapidly to their changed scepticism about global warming and his opposition to the environment; the risks to the Kyoto Protocol. In March, he made his views known as maintenance of existing forest President, sending a letter to four US senators that he was cover, particularly in the tropics; opposed to the Kyoto Protocol due to the economic harm it and the damage being done to would cause the US and the fact that China and India do not fragile coral reefs. have targets or timetables. He also broke his campaign promise to regulate CO emissions from power plants. International Work on solutions has been 2 reaction was loud and sustained. The future of the Kyoto designed to overcome the Protocol was in doubt. With climate change and Kyoto arguments that reducing appearing in media headlines around the world, the situation greenhouse gas emissions will provided WWF with a prime campaigning opportunity. necessarily be costly and involve economic and social In the USA, WWF ran a campaign to prevent the Bush administration from blocking other countries from moving dislocation. Studies in the USA forward with Kyoto. In Europe, public opinion polls were and Japan have demonstrated commissioned in Belgium, Italy, Spain, and the UK to that both countries’Kyoto demonstrate public support for the European Union moving targets can be met with ahead without the US. Success was achieved when Prime negligible economic impact and Minister Berlusconi of Italy stated his support for Kyoto and the without recourse to the Goteborg Summit solidified the heads of state around moving ahead with the treaty regardless of the US position. international carbon market. Climate Savers agreements — In Japan, which is key to achieving the Kyoto Protocol without under which leading companies the inclusion of the USA, WWF staged a large symposium in commit themselves to making Tokyo with keynote speakers from the IPCC and WWF; issued absolute reductions in their a scenario on how Japan could meet its emissions reduction greenhouse gas emissions — target; published a study on competitiveness; undertook a national public opinion poll; and placed an advertisement signed have been signed with IBM, by over 60 NGOs worldwide in the largest business newspaper Johnson and Johnson, and asking Prime Minister Koizumi to back the treaty. Polaroid. Policy advocacy has Recognizing the key role of business in the Kyoto debate, WWF concentrated on pressing for threw its support behind the ‘e-mission 55 — Business for Cl i m a t e ’ initiative. Hosted by the European Business Council for rules that ensure the Sustainable Energy, the goal environmental integrity of the "Don’t let the Protocol melt was to persuade 55 companies Kyoto Protocol and for its away" — WWF unveiled a 3.5- to state their support for the ratification by national tonne ice sculpture of the Earth entry into force of the Kyoto as the world’s environment Protocol. By the time of the governments. A WWF-led ministers convened in Bonn for public lobbying campaign — decisive talks on the climate climate treaty negotiations in Bonn in July, more than 140 ‘Climate Voice’ — succeeded in treaty. WWF Climate Change Campaign companies from nine countries mobilizing the public to send including the US and Japan had over 12 million messages to joined, declaring their support world leaders before the 2000 for the Protocol and wanting to meeting in The Hague. see it enter into force. Am o n g Nevertheless, the political them are prominent companies such as Deutsche Telekom, the difficulties surrounding the UK insurance company CGNU, international negotiations on the household appliance Protocol, in particular the manufacturer AEG, the Credit unilateral rejection of the treaty Suisse Group, Ricoh from by the United States Japan and the reinsurance administration, made for company Swiss Re. negligible progress.

Climate Change 51 Campaigning work continued Most of the climate work in will apply in conserving the right up to and during the Bonn the region in 2001 took place in Mekong River ecoregion, parts climate summit in July when China, with projects on of which lie in Cambodia, Ministers from 178 countries partnership building, capacity China, Laos, Myanmar, concluded a political agreement strengthening, public awareness, Thailand, and Vietnam. The to finalize the rules of the Kyoto and sustainable rural energy impact of climate change on Protocol. To a barrage of development. In the Philippines, marine ecosystems is also criticism by delegates at the WWF worked on raising relevant to WWF’s work in the summit, the US delegation political and public awareness South Pacific and the confirmed their intention not to with the Philippine NGO Philippines. All will require sign up. While the deal was network on climate change and increasing capacity in advocacy weaker than WWF had hoped, it the Philippine Climate Change and other technical skills related provides a sound architecture for Information Centre on to climate change. Part of this

setting CO2 emissions from Information Dissemination, as will be met through the industrialized countries on a well as being an influential expansion of the WWF Climate downward trend. It also sets the voice in the Renewable Energy Change Programme in the rules for the use of mechanisms Network. Elsewhere, WWF region. such as emissions trading and the looked at the potential impacts One initiative in 2001 Clean Development Mechanism, of climate change locally on occurred in Bangkok, Thailand, and includes a funding package people and wildlife, took part in in July. A public meeting on to assist developing countries in public awareness symposia, and climate change, organized by the adapting to the inevitable worked on engaging industries. Centre for Ecological impacts of climate change. Th e The most widespread activity Economics, WWF and proposal also includes a limited has been at the policy level, Greenpeace, called for a strong amount of ‘sinks’that absorb putting forward WWF’s views stance on the Kyoto Treaty by carbon from the atmosphere and on the actions needed to combat the Thai government and other binding consequences for climate change to national members of the Association of countries that do not meet their governments. South East Asian Nations ta r gets. WWF immediately set With India and China as two (ASEAN) at the Bonn climate about campaigning for countries of the world’s largest (present negotiations. The meeting also to move to rapid ratification so and future) producers of called for ASEAN to exert more that the Protocol enters into force greenhouse gases, WWF needs influence on future climate by the Johannesburg Summit in to engage these countries in negotiations, as well as to work September 2002. advocating energy efficiency and more closely with civil society cleaner fuels. The same work and other stakeholders to assure Asia and the Pacific a ‘safer’ climate. Thailand, like The Lena Delta in Russia — many other developing Until now, the bulk of WWF’s melting Siberian permafrost is countries, is particularly climate change activities have increasing water flows in rivers, vulnerable to the impacts of bringing increased risks of flooding. been focused on developed WWF Arctic Programme climate change. Among the countries — those responsible effects of climate change

for most of the world’s CO 2 expected in Thailand are drops emissions and which have been in rice and maize yields due to seen as more likely to have the decreases in rainfall and water ability to pay for necessary shortages. technological changes. Now, the focus is shifting towards Europe and the developing countries, with the Middle East Asia/Pacific region, vast areas of which lie at or close to sea level, Within Europe, reduction of at the forefront of future efforts greenhouse gas emissions to the to mitigate global warming. atmosphere, in particular from

52 near future is to ‘green’ one or two of the EU’s key financial institutions. WWF will also demonstrate how climate change and global warming influence biological patterns. A new study by the Russian Academy of Sciences shows that vast expanses of Siberian permafrost are thawing Fanning the flames of climate change — pollution pours into the air from a and that water flows in river factory in Finland. WWF-Canon/Mauri Rautkari systems, such as the Yenisey the burning of fossil fuels, is the collaborating with major and the Lena, have significantly prime focus of WWF work. For electricity distribution increased. The scientists cite the the EU to meet its commitment companies to increase the use of increase of average temperatures under the Kyoto Protocol to cut ‘green’ energy. In the in recent years as the reason for emissions by 8 per cent between Netherlands, green electricity the phenomena, and warn of 2008 and 2012, a shift to was introduced in 1995 and is serious consequences for both sustainable renewable energy now available nationally. The people and the environment. sources will be necessary. These premium paid for green One species that will suffer include solar and biomass, and electricity (an additional 5–10% from warming temperatures is clean technologies, as well as compared to non-renewable the polar bear. With the Arctic super-efficient buildings, power generation) is invested in ice melting, polar bears are appliances and motor vehicles. solar, wind and biomass energy finding it more difficult to make WWF’s approach is twofold: production. At the start of their seasonal migrations — strengthening the political WWF’s campaign to promote there is often simply not enough framework for domestic renewable energy, 100,000 pack ice left. In a new project emissions reductions provided Dutch households were already combining a scientific study by the global treaty on climate subscribing to green electricity. with public awareness activities, change, and cooperating with Three weeks into the campaign, WWF will highlight the plight industry to develop alternative a further 20,000 households had of the polar bear. To further energy systems and influence converted. The number of demonstrate the consequences the new-energy market. subscribers has since grown to of global warming, WWF will In the year ahead, ratification more than 200,000, encouraging also conduct climate impact and of the Kyoto Protocol will be at WWF to mount a European- adaptation studies in two Global the centre of political wide consumer campaign for 200 ecoregions in Russia. discussions, peaking in green electricity. September 2002 at the global WWF is also working with Latin America and the Rio +10 Summit for Sustainable the construction sector to Caribbean Development in Johannesburg, develop ambitious low-energ y South Africa. With its positive housing standards. More than Until 1999, there had been little stance on emissions control and 15,000 new homes will be built work undertaken by WWF on reductions, Europe has the in the Netherlands using climate change in the Latin opportunity not only to take the W W F ’s climate-saving America and Caribbean region. lead in developing new, energy- standards. In Germany, five Over the past two years, efficient technologies and new construction companies will however, the situation has energy sources, but in renovate their buildings using changed considerably as establishing a market advantage, W W F ’s low-energ y awareness has grown of both the and at the same time helping recommendations, setting new current and potential impacts of developing countries to cut and far-reaching benchmarks climate change, and the down on their own emissions. for the housing and building international negotiations on the Recognizing this, WWF is s e c t o r. Another project for the Kyoto Protocol, particularly the

Climate Change 53 Clean Development Mechanism. between climate change and other NGOs to influence this As a consequence, climate forest policy. process. change now forms an integral The development of In the United States battle component of WWF’s work in strategies to reduce greenhouse lines are drawn for a domestic the region. gas emissions demand greater fight about emissions reductions. In Brazil, climate change is internal capacity within WWF in Although President Bush has one of the variables taken into the region, as well more general rejected the Kyoto Protocol and account in the planning of new awareness-raising activities put mandatory caps on carbon protected areas. Work on the publicly. Future activities will dioxide emissions from power susceptibility of ecoregions and involve forming partnerships plants, the US Congress sees wildlife to climate change with research institutes, business things differently. The Bonn impacts will be the theme of and industry, and other NGOs. agreement places further initial assessments on the immense pressure on lawmakers Brazilian and Argentinian sides North America in the US to take action to of the Atlantic Forest. Four other reduce emissions. Key leaders proposals in priority ecoregions Since the climate treaty from the Senate and the House (the Pantanal, Cerrado, North agreement in July, Prime have stated that climate change Andes, and the Mesoamerican Minister Chretien of Canada has is the top environmental issue Caribbean Reef) have been stated that he hopes Canada will for the United States. WWF will prepared and await funding. ratify over the next year. Much be working to educate and Once completed, the studies will work, however, remains to be activate the public in this be compared to identify the done in Canada to raise national debate, further engage conservation actions necessary awareness of the problem of business to take on emissions to safeguard these ecologically climate change and bring about reduction targets, and pass valuable but vulnerable areas. A domestic emissions reductions. national legislation to reduce crucial element will be the links WWF will be working with greenhouse gases.

W W F ’s Global Conservation Programme — Expenditure on Climate Change FY 2 0 0 1

CHF,000

4,000

3,500 3,228 3,000

2,500 1,983 2,000

1,500 1,315

1,000

500 136 103 52 67 0 Africa Asia Europe Latin North Conservation Campaigns America America Policy

54 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 toxic chemicals

odern society has develope an extensive array of synthetic chemicals over the last several M decades — chemicals to control disease, increase food production, kill pests, and make our daily lives easier. Ironically, many of these well-intentioned chemicals are now wreaking havoc around the world, threatening wildlife and people with the Industrial contaminants may be weakening the immune function of Arctic very qualities that made them useful — polar bears and may be linked to toxicity and persistence. reproductive problems and abnormal genitalia among female bears in Norway's There is an urgent need to reform the Svalbard region. Steven Morello international rules governing the manufacture and use of chemicals. Such reforms will require strong leadership and much greater Global highlights public awareness. Efforts need to be focused n The world’s first international treaty dealing not only on eliminating the world’s most toxic with the elimination of toxic chemicals, the chemicals, but also on expanding both Stockholm Convention on Persistent society’s understanding of chemical Organic Pollutants, came into being in May 2001. WWF is working to secure the contamination issues and its ability to address 50 ratifications needed to bring the treaty them. Failure may compromise the health, into force. intelligence, and behaviour of future generations of people, as well as wildlife such n Following input to the European Commission’s draft "Strategy for a Future as whales, eagles, seals, polar bears, fish, and Chemicals Policy", WWF is now dolphins. recommending improvements that will Given the unequivocal evidence of the broaden the range of chemicals included. serious damage caused by toxic chemicals, the n WWF assisted the Central American shift to environmentally acceptable, effective, Commission for Environment and and affordable alternatives must be Development and the Central America accelerated. Identifying such alternatives is Commission of Ministries of Transport in developing the ‘Regional Agenda for Port generally not the problem; many are already and Marine Environmental Security’, in use around the world. The challenge is to targeted at preventing accidents and make them more widely known and available. spillages involving toxic chemicals and other pollutants.

Clifton Curtis n WWF is carrying out research and policy Director, Toxic Chemicals Programme work geared to recommendations for stricter environmental legislation for all mining activities within the EU. WWF is advocating the participation of accession countries in EU discussions on how to deal with toxic waste.

Toxic Chemicals 55 the Stockholm Convention on combined with the W W F ’s vision for Persistent Organic Pollutants, organization’s global reputation toxic chemicals which targets 12 of the world’s as a steward of biological most harmful chemicals. WWF’s diversity, WWF will catalyse WWF’s vision for toxic goal is to secure the 50 opportunities to provide the chemicals is to see an ratifications necessary before the necessary information and end to threats to Rio+10 World Summit on analyses as a basis for making biological diversity from Sustainable Development in environmentally sound toxic industrial Johannesburg in September decisions. chemicals and 2002. WWF will also work to An assessment of toxic pesticides — especially expand the scope of the endocrine disrupting, chemical threats to forests, bioaccumulative, or Stockholm Convention, urging freshwater ecosystems, oceans persistent chemicals — governments to double the and coasts, species, and WWF’s within one generation number of chemicals covered priority Global 200 Ecoregions (by no later than 2020). under the treaty within the next is currently underway. This five years. assessment will better position A concerted effort is needed the Toxic Chemicals Programme Ta r g e t s to ensure that NGOs, local to engage colleagues within and communities, and people beyond WWF on options for To achieve its vision for toxic generally have an adequate mitigating and preventing toxic chemicals, WWF’s Toxic understanding of, and access to, threats. Chemicals Programme has set accurate and relevant two global targets: information on toxic chemicals Combating To x i c and alternatives. WWF’s C h e m i c a l s n By 2007, eliminate or reduce contacts and collaborations with at least 30 of the most environmental and public health Overview hazardous industrial NGOs around the world, as well chemicals and pesticides, as with consumers, educators, Contamination from toxic with special emphasis on faith communities, indigenous chemicals has become pervasive persistent organic pollutants peoples, labour groups, and global. Wherever scientists (POPs) and endocrine progressive companies, look — the tropics, marine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) scientists, and other interested systems, industrial regions, the groups, provide a powerful Arctic — they find the impacts n By 2007, scientific, network through which of industrial chemicals and educational and regulatory informed decision-making can pesticides. These chemicals alter initiatives will be firmly in be promoted. Using WWF’s sexual, neurological, and place, enabling decision- scientific and policy expertise, behavioural development; makers (governments, industry, consumers) to make Obsolete pesticide stockpiles in Ethiopia — target of a new initiative to informed choices about toxic eliminate 50,000 tonnes of obsolete pesticides and heavily contaminated soil which have accumulated in African countries. Pesticide Action Network-UK chemicals and their alternatives.

The first target addresses the international, national, and regional rules and regulations, as well as voluntary initiatives needed to phase out dangerous industrial chemicals and pesticides. An important first step will be entry into force of

56 impair reproduction; and Africa and Madagascar undermine immune systems, What are POPs and threatening the health of EDCs? The main toxics-related activity wildlife, people, and entire in Africa involves an emerging ecosystems. Urgent and Persistent organic project to address the problem precautionary action is required pollutants (POPs) are of obsolete pesticide stockpiles. to address threats from the most extremely toxic industrial Approximately 50,000 tonnes of hazardous chemicals, especially chemicals and pesticides obsolete pesticides and heavily persistent organic pollutants that persist in the contaminated soil have (POPs) and endocrine disrupting environment, accumulate accumulated in African chemicals (EDCs). in the body fat of people countries. The stockpiles WWF scored a major and wildlife, and can include some extremely toxic victory at the end of 2000 when travel great distances on pesticides which may be up to 122 governments meeting in wind and water currents. 40 years old. Many of these J o h a n n e s b u rg, South A f r i c a , chemicals and their containers finalized a global treaty — the Endocrine disrupting are in poor condition and Stockholm Convention on chemicals (EDCs), threaten local and regional Persistent Organic Pollutants — commonly found in environments through the that targets some of the world’s consumer products, are contamination of soil, water, most dangerous chemicals. synthetic chemicals that and air. Representing the most block, mimic or The concept of a continent- ambitious effort to date by the otherwise interfere with wide project to clear all obsolete global community to rein in naturally produced pesticide stocks from Africa and and halt the proliferation of hormones, the body’s put in place measures to prevent toxic chemicals, the treaty is chemical messengers their recurrence grew out of designed to eliminate or that control how an informal discussions, initiated by severely restrict production and organism develops and WW F , between NGOs and use of the most pernicious functions. several intergo v e r n m e n t a l chemicals, ensure or ganizations. Since December environmentally sound 2000, the idea of the Af r i c a management and chemical to impaired health in wildlife Stockpiles Project has evolved to transformation of POPs waste; and people. a proposal that is currently and prevent the emergence of To complement its high-level supported by several new chemicals with POPs-like policy work, WWF’s Toxic or ganizations, including the characteristics. As the lead Chemicals Programme has Global Environment Facility NGO throughout the three-year begun focusing more attention (GEF), African Development negotiation process, WWF is and resources on community Bank, Organisation for Af r i c a n now focusing efforts to obtain Unity (OAU), World Bank, level decision-making. By the 50 ratifications necessary to FAO, UNEP Ch e m i c a l s , working with existing networks, bring the treaty into force. Pesticide Action Network-UK WWF hopes to educate and WWF has spearheaded the and Pesticide Action Network- mobilize communities around scientific investigation of Africa, and WW F . The Af r i c a EDCs, whether pesticides like the world to tackle toxic Stockpiles Project is looking lindane and endosulfan, or contamination at the local and forward to receiving a industrial chemicals such as the regional levels. WWF will be development grant from GEF to tributyltin used to repel partnering with NGOs, media, facilitate more detailed project barnacles on ships’ hulls, the faith communities, scientists, preparations. It is anticipated phthalates used in plastics, or indigenous peoples, progressive that the prevention and disposal bisphenol A used in the lining companies, and other sectors, of obsolete stockpiles in Af r i c a of tin cans. W W F ’s work has particularly in developing can enter an operational phase of contributed to the steadily countries and transitional intensive and uninterrupted work growing evidence linking EDCs economies. during the latter half of 2002.

Toxic Chemicals 57 Commission’s chemical review Banning endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) proposal, a strategy for toxics management on a global scale Tinned food, plastic bottles and wrappings are some of the that offers the promise of everyday items known to contain a set of toxic chemicals that protecting future generations of act like hormones and have been linked to genital people and wildlife from malformations, falling sperm counts and birth defects, and depressed immune systems in wildlife. There is growing exposure to chemicals. WWF concern that these chemicals may also be related to the was the leading NGO voice in increase in human health problems such as prostate and breast the four-year negotiation of the cancer. ‘White Paper’ prior to its 2001 release, and is now When, in October 2000, the European Parliament debated the recommending improvements Lund Report on a proposed EU strategy for endocrine that will broaden the range of disrupting chemicals (EDCs), WWF contended that the European Commission’s proposal for more research was chemicals included and help inadequate. It urged Members of the European Parliament to ensure sufficient funding. The vote in favour of Torben Lund’s report calling for immediate EU paper is a significant step action to reduce human exposure to known EDCs. WWF said towards ensuring that the that new information, available since the publication of the chemical industry guarantees the European Commission’s draft strategy in December 1999, safety of chemicals before they showed that further research was not necessary. are used. There are over 80,000 Commenting on the debate, Elizabeth Salter, Head of WWF’s man-made chemicals in European Toxics Programme, said, "Human and animal existence, of which 30,000 are exposure to known endocrine disruptors must be reduced as a traded in commercial volumes matter of urgency. More research is also needed, but human in the EU. health is too precious to wait until all five hundred plus In response to chemicals- suspected hormone-disrupting chemicals are thoroughly related incidents such as the researched. The European Parliament would do the human severe toxic pollution of the race and the environment a great service if it obliged the European Union to take concrete action and phase out known Tisza River in Romania and hormone disruptors". Hungary in February 2000, WWF is carrying out research The European Parliament accepted the Lund Report, although and policy work geared to in a watered down form. recommendations for stricter environmental legislation for all mining activities within the EU. Asia and the Pacific Malaysia, work focused Already, the European primarily on data collection and Commission has updated the EU Of the three principal WW F awareness-raising, while WW F - hazardous waste list, adding of fices in the Asia/Pacific region Australia gave support to the several substances which in the carrying out work on toxic Australian National Tox i c s future will require risk-free chemicals — Au s t r a l i a , Network. With the advent of the management and disposal Malaysia, and Pakistan — the global POPs treaty and greater techniques. Since mining work in Pakistan is the most resources within WWF to regulations are weaker in the developed with a programme address the issue, the momentum EU accession countries, WWF covering capacity building, field- for expanding work on toxic is strongly recommending that based projects, awareness chemicals in the region is these countries be involved in raising, and support to students growing fast. any EU discussions or action on and NGOs. Activities in 2001 toxic waste lagoons. included a training course in Europe and the Another toxics initiative in waste reduction and disposal Middle East Europe concerns the North East techniques for hospitals, and Atlantic, one of WWF’s focal publication of public information WWF was influential in the Global 200 Ecoregions. Marine sheets on toxic chemicals. In drafting of the European wildlife is severely threatened

58 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 by toxic industrial chemicals and agricultural pesticides. Of special concern are the EDCs that can mimic or interfere with hormone balances (see ‘Banning hormone disrupting chemicals’). WWF is working towards a phase-out of the use of toxics and the cessation of all Killer whales swimming in the waters around Washington, USA and British hazardous substances that are Columbia, Canada are considered among the most contaminated marine currently affecting the open sea mammals in the world. H Strager and coastal areas of the North people and fish in both Surinam chemicals and other pollutants. East Atlantic. and Guyana show significantly Few international agreements high levels of mercury. and accords are in place, and the Latin America and the In Central America, as part topic is not high on the agenda Caribbean of the USAID-funded Proarca- of national governments. Therefore the development of Efforts in Latin America and the Costas Phase I project, WWF the Regional Agenda has been Caribbean have focused on helped CCAD (Central key to defining the main steps specific national, subregional, American Commission for required to increase port and ecoregional toxics issues. In Environment and Development) security, emphasizing both Colombia, WWF is carrying out and COMITRAN (Central regional and national activities a DDT intervention programme America Commission of and responsibilities. and studies on aerial fumigation Ministries of Transport) to Toxic chemical issues clearly of illegal crops. In Guyana, as develop the ‘Regional Agenda affect the priority ecoregions, part of the Guayanan Forests for Port and Marine yet current knowledge and Environmental Conservation Environmental Security’. Given understanding of the extent of Project, WWF is monitoring the increasing shipping and the chemical contamination threats environmental and health parlous state of major ports in are limited. For example, impacts of mercury used in Central America, the region is at inorganic pollutants such as high risk from environmental artisanal gold-mining. mercury that threaten aquatic Preliminary results from tests on disasters related to toxic and marine ecosystems associated with use in mining are reasonably well known. W W F ’s Global Conservation Programme — However, there is often limited Expenditure on Toxic Chemicals FY 2 0 0 1 understanding of the hazards of POPs and EDCs at the CHF,000 1,918 ecoregional level. Given their 2,000 persistent, bio-accumulative 1,750 properties and effects on reproductive systems, however, 1,500 efforts will continue to explore 1,195 1,250 ways to integrate a toxics

1,000 component in ecoregional work. Preliminary work has started in 750 the Gulf of California. 500

274 226 250

34 21 0 0 Africa Asia Europe Latin North Conservation Campaigns America America Policy

Toxic Chemicals 59 financial overview

WF relies on the generosity of WWF’s panda logo to companies in exchange for individuals as its major source of royalties. Companies engaging in this practice funding. In 2000, 44 per cent of the benefit through a visible link with the world’s most Worganization’s income came from recognizable conservation organization, while the this source. Legacies and donations from trusts and natural world benefits from the funds raised. foundations amounted to 16 per cent. Established in 1971 by HRH Prince Bernhard A substantial part of WWF’s income is derived of the Netherlands, WWF’s 1001: A Nature Trust from government grants and aid agencies. Often, comprises 1,000 individuals who have made these funds — which in 2000 amounted to 20 per substantial financial contributions to WWF over cent — are provided either as ‘matched’ funds the years. The interest from the trust, the capital of made available only when WWF itself raised a which is currently more than CHF 16 million specific amount, or as ‘restricted’ funds for use on (USD 10.7 million), helps meet WWF one specific project or in a particular country. International’s basic administration costs. When WWF also works in creative and innovative vacancies occur in the trust, new members are ways with business and industry to raise funds and invited to join for a contribution of USD 25,000 spread the conservation message. These ‘mutual (CHF 37,500). benefit marketing’ relationships include licensing

WWF NETWORK INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FY 2 0 0 0

Income US$360 million Expenditure US$364 million

Individuals Conservation 44% 55%

Government and aid agencies 20% Education Legacies 9.2% 11%

Financial income Fundraising 8% 13.6%

Royalties 6% $Administration 8.2% Trusts and foundations 5% Awareness Corporations 8% 4%

Other Conservation policy $2% 6% 60 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 WWF around the world

WWF International Senior Programme Staff

Director General Toxic Chemicals Programme Conservation Policy Claude Martin Clifton Curtis Programme Jenny Heap Programme Director Africa/Madagascar Chris Hails Programme Ecoregion Conservation Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Sheila O’Connor Forests for Life Programme Chris Elliott Asia/Pacific Programme Government and Aid Agencies Isabelle Louis Timothy Geer Living Waters Programme Jamie Pittock Europe/Middle East Programme Services and Programme Evaluation Endangered Seas Programme Magnus Sylven Peter Dickinson Simon Cripps Eastern Europe/Central Asia Species Programme Programme Susan Lieberman Hartmut Jungius

Climate Change Programme Latin America/Caribbean Jennifer Morga Programme vacant

The WWF Network — September 2001

WWF around the world 61 The WWF Network

IN T E R N AT I O N A L CA M E R O O N DE N M A R K SE C R E TA R I A T Bastos BP 6776, Yao u n d e Ryesgade 3 F, 2200 Avenue du Mont-Blanc Tel: +237 21 70 83 Copenhagen N 1196 Gland, Switzerland Fax: +237 21 42 40 Tel: +45 35 36 36 35 Tel: +41 22 364 9111 Representative: Fax: +45 35 24 78 68 Fax: +41 22 364 5358 Laurent Magloire Somé Chairperson: Johan Schroeder President (Acting): Sara Morrison Chief Executive: Kim Carstensen Director General: Claude Martin CA N A D A 245 Eglinton Ave East, Suite 410 EASTERN AF R I C A AU S T R A L I A Toronto, Ontario M4P 3J 1 PO Box 62440, Nairobi, Kenya GPO Box 528, Sydney Tel: +1 416 489 8800 Tel: +254 2 577 355 NSW 2001 Fax: +1 416 489 3611 Fax: +254 2 577 389 Tel: +61 2 9281 5515 Chairperson: Michael de Pencier Representative: Fax: +61 2 9281 1060 Chief Executive: Monte Hummel Samuel Kanyamibwa President: Robert Purves Chief Executive: David Butcher C E N T R A LA F R I C A EUROPEAN POLICY BP 9144, Libreville 36 Avenue de Tervuren – B12 AU S T R I A Ga b o n 1040 Brussels, Belgium Postfach 1, 1162 Vie n n a Tel: +241 73 00 28 Tel: +32 2 743 88 00 Tel: +43 1 488 17 0 Fax: +241 73 80 56 Fax: +32 2 743 88 19 Fax: +43 1 488 17 29 Representative: Dr Frank At t e r e Representative: Tony Long Chairperson: Helmut Pechlaner Chief Executive: CE N T R A L AM E R I C A FI N L A N D Günther Lutschinger Centro Agronómico Tropical de Lintulahdenkatu 10 Investigación y Enseñanza 00500 Helsinki 50 BE L G I U M Turrialba, 7170 Catie, Costa Rica Tel: +358 9 774 0100 Boulevard Emile Jacqmain 90 Tel: +506 556 1383 Fax: +358 9 774 02139 1000 Brussels Fax: +506 556 1421 President & Chairperson: Tel: +32 2 340 09 99 Acting Representative: Elisabeth Rehn Fax: +32 2 340 09 33 Steve Gretzinger Chief Executive: Timo Tan n i n e n President & Chairperson: Guido Ra v o e t CH I N A FR A N C E Chief Executive: Xavier Ortegat Room 901, The Gateway 188 Rue de la Roquette 10 Yabao Road 75 0 1 1 Paris BH U TA N Chaoyang District Tel: +33 1 55 25 8484 WWF Bhutan Programme Offi c e Beijing 100020 Fax: +33 1 55 25 8474 Post Box 210, Chubachu, Tel: +86 10 6595 9891 President: Daniel Richard Th i m p h u Fax: +8610 65915731 Chief Executive: Tel: +975 2 323 528 Representative: Jim Harkness Cedric du Monceau Fax: +975 2 323 518 Representative: Kinzang Namgay CO L O M B I A GE R M A N Y Carrera 35 #4A-25 Postfach 190 440 BO L I V I A San Fernando, Cali, Val l e 60326 Frankfurt/Main PO Box 1633 Tel: +57 2 558 2577 Tel: +49 69 79 1440 Santa Cruz Fax: +57 2 558 2588 Fax: +49 69 61 7221 Tel: +591 3 365326 Representative: Chairperson: Fax: +591 3 325416 Mary Lou Higgins Carl-Albrecht von Tre u e n f e l s Representative: Roger Landivar Chief Executive: Georg Schwede DA N U B E / C A R P ATH I A N BR A Z I L Postfach 1, 1162 Vie n n a GR E E C E SHIS EQ QL 6/8, Conjunto Au s t r i a 26 Filellinon Street, 105 58 E – 2° andar, 71620-430 Brasilia Tel: +431 488 17 253 At h e n s Tel: +55 61 364 7400 Fax: +431 488 17 276 Tel: +30 1 331 4893 Fax: +55 61 364 7474 Representative: Phil Wel l e r Fax: +30 1 324 7578 President & Chairperson: José President: Thymio Papayannis Roberto Marinho Chief Executive: Chief Executive: Garo Batmanian Demetres Karavellas

62 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 HONG KONG MACROECONOMICS FOR NO R WAY GPO Box 12721 SU S TA I N A B L E Postboks 6784, St Olavs plass Hong Kong DEVELOPMENT 0130 Oslo Tel: +852 2526 1011 1250 24th St NW Tel: +47 22 03 6500 Fax: +852 2845 2734 Washington, DC 20037-117 5 Fax: +47 22 20 0666 Chairperson: Markus Shaw Tel: +1 202 778 9752 Chairperson: Christian N. Chief Executive: Winnie Sek Fax: +1 202 293 9211 Si b b e r n Representative: David Reed Chief Executive: HU N G A R Y Rasmus Hansson Németvölgyi út 78/b MA D A G A S C A R 1124 Budapest BP 738, Antananarivo 101 PAK I S TA N Tel: +36 1 214 5554 Tel: +261 20 22 34885 PO Box 5180, Lahore 54600 Fax: +36 1 212 9353 Fax: +261 20 22 34888 Tel: +92 42 586 2360 Representative: László Haraszthy Representative: Fax: +92 42 586 2358 Jean-Paul Paddack President: Brig. Mukhtar Ah m e d IN D I A Chief Executive: 172-B Lodi Road MA L AY S I A Ali Hassan Habib Max Mueller Marg 49 Jalan SS23/15 New Delhi 110 003 47301 Petaling Jaya PE R U Tel: +91 11 469 1760 Tel: +60 3 7803 3772 Casilla Postal 11- 0 2 0 5 Fax: +91 11 462 6837 Fax: +60 3 7803 5157 Lima 11 President: Jamshyd N. Godrej Chairperson: Tengku Ad l i n Tel: +51 1261 5300 Chief Executive: Meeta R. Vya s Chief Executive: Fax: +51 1463 4459 Da t o ’ Mikaail Kavanagh Representative: Edgar Maravi IN D O C H I N A International PO Box 151 ME D I T E R R A N E A N PH I L I P P I N E S Hanoi, Vie t n a m Via Po 25/c No 69 Masikap Extension Cor, Tel: + 84 4 733 8387 00198 Rome, Italy Marunong Street Fax: + 84 4 733 8388 Tel: +39 06 844 97227 Diliman, 1101 Quezon City Representative: Eric Coull Fax: + 39 06 841 3866 Tel: +632 433 3220 Representative: Paolo Lombardi Fax: +632 426 3927 IN D O N E S I A Chairperson: PO Box 5020 JKTM 12700, ME X I C O Jaime Zobel de Aya l a Ja k a r t a Ave Mexico No. 51 Chief Executive: Jose MA Tel: +62 21 576 1070 Col Hipodromo Condesa Lorenzo Tan Fax: +62 21 576 1080 06170 Mexico DF Chairperson: Haroen Al Rasjid Tel: +525 286 5631 RU S S I A Chief Executive: Agus Purnomo Fax: +525 286 5637 From Europe: Representative: Juan Bezaury Account No WWF 232 ITA L Y PO Box 289 Via Po 25/c NE PA L Weybridge 00198 Rome Post Box 7660, Kathmandu 2 Surrey KT 13 8WJ Tel: +39 06 844 9 71 Tel: +977 1 410942 United Kingdom Fax: +39 06 853 00 612 Fax: +977 1 438458 President: Fulco Pratesi Representative: From the US: Chief Executive: Chandra Prasad Gurung Account No WWF 232 Cesare Martinelli 208 East 51st Street, Suite 295 NE T H E R L A N D S New York, NY 10022, USA JA PA N Postbus 7, 3700 AA Ze i s t Tel: +7 095 727 0939 Nihonseimei Akabanebashi Bldg. Tel: +31 30 6937 333 Fax: +7 095 727 0938 3-1-14 Shiba, Minato-ku Fax: +31 30 6912 064 Representative: Igor Chestin Tokyo 105-0014 Chairperson: Hans Wij e r s Tel: +81 3 3769 1711 Chief Executive: Hans Voo r t m a n SOUTH AF R I C A Fax: +81 3 3769 1717 Private Bag X2, Die Boord Chairperson: Teruyuki Ohuchi NEW ZEALAND Stellenbosch 7613 Chief Executive: Michio Hino PO Box 6237, Wel l i n g t o n Tel: +27 21 888 2800 Tel: +64 4 4992930 Fax: +27 21 888 2888 Fax: +64 4 499 2954 Chairperson: Ton Vos l o o Chairperson: Paul Bowe Chief Executive: Ian Macdonald Chief Executive: Jo Breese

WWF around the world 63 SOUTHERN AF R I C A TH A I L A N D WWF A s s o c i a t e s PO Box CY 1409, Causeway PO Box 4, Klong Luang 12120 Harare, Zimbabwe Tel: +66 2 524 6129 AR G E N T I N A Tel/Fax: +263 252533 Fax: +66 2 524 6134 FUNDACION VIDA SI LV E S T R E Representative: Representative: Robert Mather Defensa 251, 6° Piso Harrison O Kojwang C1065 Buenos Ai r e s TU R K E Y Tel: +54 11 4343 4086 SOUTH PAC I F I C PK 971, Sirkeci 34436, Istanbul Fax: +54 11 4331 3631 Private Mail Bag Tel: +90 212 528 2030 President: Héctor Laurence GPO Suva, Fiji Fax: +90 212 528 2040 Chief Executive: Javier Corcuera Tel: +679 31 55 33 President: Okan Tap a n Fax: +679 31 54 10 Chief Executive: Tansu Gurpinar EC U A D O R Representative: FUNDACION NATU R A Dermot O'Gorman UNITED KINGDOM Casilla 17-01-253, Quito Panda House, Weyside Park Tel/Fax: +593 2 2 503 385 SPA I N Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR President: Rafael Ter a n Gran Viade San Francisco 8 Tel: +44 1483 426444 Chief Executive: Ricardo Moreno 28005 Madrid Fax: +44 1483 426409 Tel: +34 91 354 0578 Chairperson: Sara Morrison NI G E R I A Fax: +34 91 365 6336 Chief Executive: Robert Napier NIGERIAN CONSERVATI O N President: FO U N D AT I O N Prof Francisco Díaz Pineda UNITED STATE S PO Box 74638, Victoria Island, Chief Executive: 1250 24th St NW La g o s Juan Carlos del Olmo Washington, DC 20037-117 5 Tel: +234 1 2642 498 Tel: +1 202 293 4800 Fax: +234 1 2642 497 SW E D E N Fax: +1 202 293 9211 Chairman: Ulriksdals Slott, 170 81 Solna Chairperson (Board): Brig Gen. M. Johnson Tel: +46 8 624 7400 William K Reilly Chief Executive: Fax: +46 8 85 1329 Chief Executive: Muhtari Am i n u - K a n o Chairperson: Lennart Ah l g r e n Kathryn S. Fuller Chief Executive: VE N E Z U E L A Prof Lars Kristoferson WESTERN AF R I C A FU D E N A 08 BP 1776, Abidjan 08 Apartado Postal 70376 SW I T Z E R L A N D Côte d'Ivoire Caracas 1071-A Postfach, 8010 Zürich Tel: +225 22 44 8786 Tel: +58 212 238 2930 Tel: +41 1 297 2121 Fax: +225 22 44 8774 Fax: +58 212 239 6547 Fax: +41 1 297 2100 Representative: President: Enrique Sanchez President: Brigitta Hellat Souleymane Zeba Chief Executive: Deborah Bigio Chief Executive: Carol Franklin Engler

TAN Z A N I A PO Box 63117, Dar es Salaam Tel: +255 22 27 00077 Fax: +255 22 27 75535 Acting Representative: Hermann Mwageni

64 WWF’s Global Conservation Programme 2001/2002 WWF is one of the world's largest and most experienced independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 96 countries.

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s WWF International natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: Avenue du Mont-Blanc 1196 Gland - conserving the world’s biological diversity Switzerland - ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable Tel: +41 22 364 9111 - promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful Fax: +41 22 364 5358 consumption. www.panda.org