Making a difference WWF-UK Annual Review 2001/2002 WWF, the global environment network, works to conserve endangered species, Tanzania’s Great Ruaha river has frequently run dry protect endangered spaces, and for periods of up to 111 days since the early 1990s. The wildlife of three national parks and four game reserves depend on the waters of the Ruaha, address global threats to the planet by FRONT COVER: EDWARD PARKER, WWF-UK which also provides some 70 per cent of Tanzania’s hydro-electric power. WWF is developing a programme to ensure seeking sustainable solutions for the year-round flow of the Great Ruaha river system by 2012, for the benefit of people and nature. benefit of people and nature. WWF-UK Trustees and Principal Officers WWF believes that it is not possible to as at 1 December 2002 President protect the environment without tackling HRH Princess Alexandra the Hon Lady Ogilvy GCVO poverty, and it is impossible to tackle Board of Trustees Principal Officers Professional Services Trustees Emeriti Chief Executive Auditors Sir Martin Laing CBE Robert Napier Deloitte & Touche poverty, in the long term, without The Hon Sara Morrison Deputy Chief Executive and Director Bankers Sir Arthur Norman KBE DFC of Finance and Services Co-operative Bank Vice-Presidents Leslie Jones OBE protecting the environment. The two Solicitors Rt Hon The Lord Buxton MC DL Director of Communications Eversheds Guy Mountfort OBE Perdita Hunt Barlows E Max Nicholson CB CVO LLD Director of Fundraising Investment Managers issues are interlinked – which is why Trustees Nicky Bishop Lazard Asset Management Limited Christopher Ward Chairman Newton Investment Management Ms Fabiola Arredondo Director of Human Resources Limited Marc Citron Duncan Parkes WWF’s worldwide programmes work Colin Day Director of Programmes Richard Freeman Francis Sullivan Dr Rita Gardner with people as well as for nature. Michael Grade CBE Director of Policy Anders Johansson Andrew Lee John Lawton Director of WWF Scotland Ray Perman Simon Pepper OBE Professor Adrian Phillips CBE Jonathon Porritt CBE Adair Turner WWF. Taking action for a living planet Professor Lynda Warren Sir James Weatherall KCVO, KBE MAKING A DIFFERENCE 1 “In many respects our journey has only just begun” WWF-CANON / MARTIN HARVEY Letter from the Chairman This year is notable because it governments, and our conser- become such a shameful global is immense – but the complexity tireless support and enthusiasm. marks WWF’s 40th anniversary – vation programmes around the growth industry. of the issues we face means that I know that their understanding a milestone of which we can world, are testament to 40 years Most of this work is long-term, we must continue to focus our and patience were sorely tried be proud. of what I believe to be unrivalled requiring sustained effort and work for maximum impact on on occasions, which makes my In WWF’s first annual review, determination and experience – investment of expertise and money. the natural world. gratitude for their forbearance our founding chairman, Sir Peter but in many respects our journey On behalf of the WWF Trustees and I should like to pay special and encouragement all the greater. Scott, wrote about mankind’s has only just begun. staff, I express my gratitude to all tribute to the staff of WWF. Heartfelt good wishes to my “greed and improvidence, Tough and demanding issues members, donors and supporters Their professionalism, dedication successor and all colleagues. carelessness and apathy”. Human lie ahead, all requiring urgent whose generous endorsement and hard work is inspiring indeed, Personal and sincere thanks to WWF-CANON / LENGUI IRÉNE ignorance, he said, was the basic attention: climate change, of makes our work possible. and gives me cause to say with all at WWF for the privilege of cause of threats to wildlife and wild course, but also the future of We all hope for their continued confidence that, 40 years on, the their comradeship. I have enjoyed places. agriculture in the United Kingdom, invaluable assistance. organisation founded by Sir Peter being a small part of such great WWF-UK, as part of the WWF which is closely allied to reform In November I hand over Scott and his far-sighted and essential work. international network, has come a of the creaking EU Common the Chairmanship of WWF-UK colleagues will continue to strive long way since 1961. The journey Agricultural Policy. The unhappy to Christopher Ward, a Trustee to find even better ways to meet has been both challenging and state of the world’s oceans of great experience. As my term the complex threats facing our fruitful. Our programmes to protect continues to be high on our of office draws to a close, fragile planet. endangered wildlife, our brokering agenda, and we are also my admiration for WWF’s work, Finally, all the Trustees with The Hon Sara Morrison of international treaties, our campaigning for a crackdown underpinned by its disciplined whom I have had the pleasure of Chairman, WWF-UK collaboration with business, our on the illegal trade in wildlife and culture of deploying science-based working during these past six years behind the scenes work with endangered species that has facts to influence human behaviour, deserve enormous thanks for their 2 MAKING A DIFFERENCE MAKING A DIFFERENCE 3 All WWF’s work has a global impact. Although we Education are best known for our work to protect endangered The Education programme’s goal is to ensure that all parts of society species, this is merely a part of what we do. WWF’s contribute to the achievement of sustainable development through international priorities are reflected in our long-term decisions and action taken in the home, the community, the workplace and programmes of up to 20 years. through the democratic process. WWF strives for this by working with the business community, local and regional government and, via the formal education system, by developing consensus for sustainable development throughout society. Our work JOHN DANIELS, WWF-UK DIGITAL VISION DIGITAL VISION DAVID LAWSON, WWF-UK DIGITAL VISION MIKE LANE, WWF-UK DIGITAL VISION Endangered species Living seas Forests Freshwater Toxic chemicals Climate change WWF’s Species programme WWF’s Living Seas programme WWF’s Forest programme Without healthy and functioning Because wildlife, people and Urgent action is needed if we are conserves endangered species and influences the protection and protects forests, promotes their freshwater ecosystems, river basins ecosystems are threatened by to avert the threat posed by climate habitats of global concern, and sustainable management of oceans management to the highest are unable to provide sufficient pervasive and global chemical change to many species and strives to eliminate the illegal trade and coasts within nine important standards, and restores once- good-quality water which helps contamination, WWF is working habitats, as well as to people’s in wildlife. Important in their own marine ecoregions from the South forested land to its authentic state. to minimise floods and droughts. to reduce and eliminate the world’s livelihoods. We are aiming to right, many of these flagship Pacific to our own shores of the Our work takes place in more than WWF’s Living Waters programme most dangerous industrial increase awareness about the species also provide unique oppor- north-east Atlantic. Because 20 countries as diverse as Mexico, provides policies and practical chemicals and pesticides. At the impacts of climate change and tunities for WWF to communicate protection of marine wildlife cannot Nepal, Tanzania and the Ukraine. management programmes around same time we are promoting we are working with governments, other vital conservation and succeed in isolation, it is essential We operate in partnership with the world to enable the wise increased understanding, businesses and consumers to environmental issues. the seas are managed holistically. other organisations such as the stewardship of water for both regulation of, and alternatives achieve a transformation to a low- Working with people whose Forest Stewardship Council and people and nature. to toxic chemicals. carbon energy system in the UK. livelihoods depend on the seas, the WWF 95+ Group of companies the UK marine programme’s goal that are committed to producing is to improve nature conservation, and trading in certified timber resource management and products to combat threats such pollution prevention. as illegal logging. 4 MAKING A DIFFERENCE MAKING A DIFFERENCE 5 WWF is renowned for taking action for the benefit of people and nature, whenever and wherever Highlights 2001/2002 it matters. Here are just a few of our successes of the year during the year… M & C DENIS HUOT, STILL PICTURES Living seas WWF achieved a historic success when the world’s shipping nations adopted a new global convention on highly toxic anti-fouling paints used on ships’ hulls. Use of these paints will be phased out by 2003 and their presence on hulls com- pletely removed by 2008. EDWARD PARKER, WWF-UK WWF / FRITZ PÖLKING NEIL BROMHALL, SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY Endangered species Toxic chemicals Forests WWF and the Shaanxi forestry The European Union’s White Paper, The WWF 95+ Group of companies, department of China agreed to establish A Strategy for Future Chemicals dedicated to using timber products 13 new giant panda reserves, and to Policy, contained some of the positive that come only from well-managed create the first panda corridors in the and progressive elements of forests, celebrated its 10th anniversary. Qinling mountains. These corridors The Copenhagen Charter, a policy Today, the group’s membership of more are a matter of life and death to pandas paper co-drafted by WWF in 2000. than 100 companies in the UK manu- when their staple diet of bamboo They include a presumption against facture some 10,000 product lines is scarce or dies.