LITT PETE L E OW O XFOR L , DONANA D Xxxxxx xxxx / WWF N ATIONA NEWSLETTER L February PARK, S P 2012 AIN © W I ld W ON D ER S OF E URO P E / MEDITERRANEAN ECHO Newsletter of the WWF Mediterranean Initiative • Issue 7 Equip Mediterranean ecosystems to adapt to climate change • Generate a sea change in Mediterranean marine management • Secure Mediterranean water resources • Build a future for Mediterranean landscapes WWF TAKES ACTION TO PRESERVE IBERIAN FORESTS The launch of WWF’s Living Forests Report in September was particularly important for WWF in Portugal. Exploring the land-use implications of a growing global bioenergy sector, WWF warns that increased demand for bioenergy could trigger an unsustainable exploitation of forests with fast-growing plantations replacing forests with high conservation values. In Portugal we have one of the highest energy intensities (energy per unit of GDP) in the EU, so investment in reducing energy consumption in the country by improving energy efficiency is essential and a priority. WWF Mediterranean tackles this issue in a recent report on forest biomass from the the Iberian Peninsula, describing the current situation, future plans and targets of governments and the environmental implications of these. The demand for forest biomass as an energy source has increased all over the world, and the Iberian Peninsula is no exception—not only as a consumer, but also as a provider to countries that pay high incentives for wood biomass usage. Forest biomass consumption in the Iberian Peninsula is higher than the average consumption in Europe, and will keep increasing given the current energy policies in Portugal and Spain. Renewable energy (including forest biomass) can help reduce dependence on foreign energy in Portugal (which in 2009 was around 80%), but this would need careful planning, implementation and monitoring to reduce environmental and social negative impacts of the intensification of biomass production for energy purposes. WWF in Portugal, through the GFTN—Global Forest and Trade Network—and NGP—New Generation Plantations—is working to ensure that the principles of sustainable forest management become important tools for companies in the forest sector. The use of biomass will present challenges that must be taken into account for the production of energy from forest biomass to be sustainable. Ricardo Vieira, WWF energy expert in Portugal [email protected] Pinóquio for forests WWF in Portugal has launched consumers can make to protect “The Forest needs us, we need the forests. WWF calls on consumers Forest”, a campaign featuring the to choose certified products internationally known character as a commitment to reduce Pinnochio to mark the end of the deforestation and conserve forests. International Year of Forests in To see the campaign movie, go to: December 2011. The campaign http://www.wwf.pt/noticias/videos/ calls attention to the services and products that come from the forest and highlights the choices that 1 Xxxx xxxxx Build a future for Mediterranean landscapes © YOUN awareness of the importance of Green Heart of Cork G EU environmental policies such as RE Natura 2000. The exhibition was The WWF project “Green Heart of S EARCHER the result of activities implemented Cork” in Portugal is working with by members of NGOs from the Coca-Cola Company as an entity S ‘buyer’ of environmental services. OF the network in Serbia—Natura S In November Coca-Cola employees ER 2000 Resource Center—and in B had the opportunity to visit the IA Montenegro—Natura 2000 Info Center. The exhibition promotes Herdade do Cascavél, in Coruche, the importance of biodiversity, the to see first-hand the conservation of the largest patch of oak forest in the 15 Ways to Protect Nature ecological network Natura 2000 and energy efficiency and will tour world and the largest aquifer (Tejo- The exhibition “15 Ways to Protect in both Serbia and Montenegro. The Sado) on the Iberian Peninsula. Nature” in Belgrade, Serbia, in project also launched a well-visited “This is an opportunity for October was the perfect way blog about Natura 2000: employees of Coca-Cola to realize for WWF, Young Researchers how the company encourages http://ngonatura2000.blogspot. of Serbia and Green Home the development of the voluntary com. Montenegro to close the 2-year market for environmental services project “Partnership Actions [email protected] in Portugal. The protection of for Biodiversity Protection biodiversity and natural resources in the Western Balkans”. The has advantages for companies project focused on building because they are also protecting communications capacity and their business” said Luís Silva, networking for NGOs in Serbia WWF Forest officer in Portugal. and in Montenegro and raising [email protected] FORESTS FOR THE FUTURE Forest conservation has always figured prominently in WWF’s work in Greece. Yet it was the devastating forest fires in 2007 that brought the long-standing weaknesses in forest protection policies and mechanisms to the forefront. “Forests for the future” was WWF Greece’s response to this unprecedented catastrophe. With four paths of action—fieldwork, policy work, civil society engagement and scientific support and documentation— staff spent tireless weeks working on the ecological assessment of all major wildfires, producing reports which were sent to all responsible ministries and authorities, and creating a database that contains critical information about the post-fire condition of the burned sites. New educational material was produced, now downloaded and used by scores of teachers. In the areas affected by the forest fires of 2007 alone more than 3,000 primary and secondary students attended presentations and programs. Of first importance were efforts to support volunteer fire-fighting teams, monitoring their activities and needs and leveraging funds for their support. Implementation of the project has had far-reaching effects, bringing together civil society organisations, mobilizing individuals and promoting fellowship. While the project itself has come to an end there is a feeling that the strategic partnerships developed over the last three years will have a positive impact on the future of forest conservation in Greece. Watch the video: www.youtube.com/wwfgrwebtv [email protected] © WWF GREECE/ A N D REA BONETTI 2 2 Secure Mediterranean water Xxxxxxresources xxxx Victory for civil society and nature in Montenegro: failure of the Morača dams tender In seeking to secure freshwater resources in the Dinaric Arc WWF’s long-term goals are to mitigate the greatest threat to freshwater ecosystems in the region—hydropower development—to protect and preserve the most important habitats in priority basins and to succeed in having sustainable hydropower recognized as a feasible practice in the region. For 3 years WWF and partner NGO in Montenegro, Green Home, have been urging the government of Montenegro to review its plans for the construction of four dams on the Morača River, and to find more sustainable solutions for the energy needs of the country. Then, last September—victory! The government’s plans have been put on hold after not a single investor expressed interest in the tender for the construction of the dams. For WWF and Green Home this is a clear signal that the Montenegrin government needs to turn towards sustainable energy solutions, which are in the best interests of the Montenegrin economy, people and nature. “The result of the tender is not surprising since civil society organizations and numerous local experts have been warning the Government since 2007 of the probable outcome of this tender. The project of dams on the Morača, as it was designed by the government of Montenegro, is not cost effective due to its huge environmental and economic risks.” Jelena Marojevic, Green Home Montenegro. “The failure of the tender has been very good news for local fishermen on Skadar Lake. If the hydropower plants are built we will be faced with harsh difficulties, from big variations in water levels in the Lake to reduced fish stocks and less tourism opportunities. The people from this region already feel the consequences of the existing hydropower facilities in Montenegro and Albania. Last year we had two big floods due to the discharge of water from those. Additional facilities would only worsen the situation for us”. Nikola Bušković, fisherman on Skadar Lake. “The failure of the tender for the hydropower plants on Morača has been welcomed by most local people and businesses around Skadar Lake. The immediate threats to local wildlife have been eliminated, and our businesses that depend on this wildlife have been preserved. We were quite disappointed by our government and the whole tender process, as we feel it should do much more to protect its biggest natural values than it does now and do it much more stringently than till now. The government needs to avoid such destructive projects in the future. They also need to look for alternative sources of energy, like sun and wind, which are growing rapidly in Europe and the world, while in Montenegro only a few investments have been made.” Stevan Djurović, tour boat operator on Skadar Lake. “WWF and Green Home are hoping that the lack of investors’ interest is a strong enough signal for the Montenegrin government to fully withdraw from the plan of major energy projects on the river Morača. Both organizations will continue to encourage the Montenegrin government to look to the sustainable production of electricity and come up with solutions that will reconcile economic development and environmental protection.” Francesca Antonelli, WWF Mediterranean. 3 Xxxx xxxxx Secure Mediterranean water resources © AN Innovative and sustainable power energy production started there G E L in 1970. In the past decade more A production K L than 20 experimental floods have AU WWF Mediterranean hopes to S been released from two reservoirs CHEN apply lessons learned from a on the Spöl.