WWF - Publications

WWF priority demands to the EU Cypriot Presidency 1 July – 31 December 2012

2012-06-25

This document presents WWF priority demands to the Cypriot Presidency in relation to the following policy areas:

1. EU Budget Reform

2. Climate and Energy Policies

3. Biodiversity Policy

4. Reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)

5. EU Water Policy

6. European Development Policy

WWF is looking forward to working with the Cypriot Presidency and the EU institutions to ensure that our key asks within these priorities are achieved.

Who gets it?

2012-01-17

Actions supported by the EU budget have repercussions on the environment. WWF Who Gets It publication features some of the best and worst cases from Cohesion Policy, LIFE, Common Agricultural Policy and Development programs. From the flood plains of the Danube to the picturesque Liguranian coast we look to see how your money is spent.

The EU can mainstream the environment and WWF is pushing for sustainable expenditure in the next seven year budgetary cycle (2014-2020) .

WWF Priority Demands to the Danish Presidency

2012-01-02

This document presents WWF priority proposals to achieve a smart,resource efficient and low-carbon European economy, respecting the ecological limits of the planet.

WWF Priority Demands to the Polish Presidency

2011-07-25

The start of the Polish presidency sets a series of decisive reforms for the EU into play: from the preparation of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020 to the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Cohesion Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), to the Resource Efficiency Roadmap. The next 18 months will reveal if the EU-27 is finally making the necessary reforms needed to allow the EU to move towards a sustainable, smart, resource efficient and low-carbon economy, whilst respecting the ecological limits of the world.

Washing our Dishes and Clothes without Polluting our Rivers and Seas

2011-06-16

Many cleaning detergents commonly sold on the shelves of European supermarkets contain high concentrations of phosphates, and other phosphorus compounds, which are harmful for the environment.

An EU Regulation to restrict phosphates in detergents is now being discussed in Brussels and national capitals. In November 2010, the European Commission issued a proposal to limit the use of phosphorus in laundry detergents as of January 2013, but excluded dishwashing products because of an assumed lack of viable phosphate-free alternatives.

WWF urges the Members of the European Parliament and Council to vote now for a phase out of all phosphate detergents, which will benefit not only the environment but also citizens and progressive industries.

The water and carbon footprint of household food and drink waste in the UK

2011-03-31

A report containing quantification and analysis of the water and carbon footprint of different types of household food and drink waste in the UK. In addition to raising awareness, the information can be used in developing national and regional policies targeting a reduction in the impacts of our carbon and water footprint related to our food system. It can also be used by the food industry to understand and minimise water-related business risk associated with food supplies to the UK.

Belgium and its Water Footprint

2011-03-29

The new report published by WWF Belgium calculates that every Belgian consumes 7400 lt (about 90 bathtubs) of water every day. By means of this report WWF wishes to draw attention to this resource which is so often taken for granted. Water is a precious natural resource that is used on a massive scale in agriculture, and in the production of our food, of animal feed and of textile fibres, not to mention biofuel.

WWF-Belgium encourages public actors and businesses to take account of water footprints and the sustainable management of water in their management practices and their policies. The concrete examples that we give here may serve as sources of inspiration for action.

Valuing and conserving ecosystem services: a scoping case study in the Danube Basin

2010-12-02

Ecosystems provide a wide range of services that are essential for human well being. However, the economic benefits of these services are not widely recognised or captured in markets, which is resulting in ecosystem degradation and the loss of natural capital. Recent initiatives such as the study on The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) have therefore highlighted the importance of better understanding the economic value of ecosystem services and developing instruments to capture and reward these values, thereby encouraging the wiser and sustainable use of our ecosystems.

This study therefore aims to provide a scoping assessment of how to put the key recommendations of the TEEB initiative into practice, through a case study of ecosystem services in the Danube River Basin (DRB).

Changing Perspectives: how the EU budget can shape a sustainable future

2010-11-20

Protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for European citizens are integral aims and purposes for the European Union. Its policies and activities are mandated to be defined and implemented in line with environmental protection requirements. EU public spending should, therefore, be in accord with those policies and objectives.

This report, written by a coalition of environmental NGOs, offers an assessment of the extent to which the EU-Budget is currently contributing to tackling the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and resource overconsumption. It sets out clear recommendations for the next EU-Budget to catalyse the transition towards a just society that guarantees the well-being of citizens in a globally and fiscally responsible way, within the ecological limits of the planet. This report focuses on the expenditure of the EU-Budget and does not provide an opinion on the ongoing income debate.

Water for Development

2009-08-14

A review of integrated water resource management in EC development programming.

The services provided by freshwater ecosystems are crucially important to the livelihoods, health and security of many millions of people in the developing world. However, water is a limited resource facing many competing demands exacerbated by external stresses such as the impacts of climate change. Meeting and managing these demands requires an integrated approach to water resource management if the supply of freshwater services is to be sustainable.

The EU has made strong and repeated commitments towards the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management including the promotion of these principles in its development cooperation policy and programmes. A study undertaken by WWF in 12 countries reviews the extent to which these commitments have been put into practice.

The study found that, in general, planning of water interventions is based on demands or projected outcomes and not on the actually availability of the natural resource. Furthermore, climate change implications for water management in all sectors are rarely taken into account. There are few signs at the programming level that the EC is a strong advocate of an integrated approach to water resources management.

The study recommends taking a broader approach to water management in all sectors which rely on water resources including agriculture, sanitation, drinking water, infrastructure, industry, energy, transport and to support national water resources management plans wherever possible. It also recommends taking steps to encourage transboundary approaches to water management by all relevant states as well as donors.

What future for EU's water?

2009-05-29

The EU's Water Framework Directive provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore Europe's rivers, lakes and wetlands to ecological health by 2015 with each member state committed to produce River Basin Management plans by the end of 2009.

Eight years in the making, these plans are now the subject of consultation with EU's citizens and interested parties in many of Europe's 110 river basin districts.

The report "What future for EU's water?" presents the findings of the survey carried out by WWF and EEB assessing the quality of the draft River Basin Management Plans which revealed that, as they stand now, these plans will fail to adequately protect Europe's water resources.

At a time when Europe is becoming increasingly aware of its water challenges, exacerbated by expected climate change, such as increased droughts, floods and changes to precipitation patterns, governments are shying away from taking resolute steps to deal with existing and emerging water challenges.

WWF and EEB highlights the 5 priorities that national and river basin authorities should focus on in the next six months of 2009 to dramatically improve their plans and thus give our most precious natural resource a sustainable future.

Please see on this page

• A short summary of the report with key findings of the assessment and key conclusions
• The full report presenting the finding of the assessment and drawing a number of recommendations on what needs to happen before the plans are to be adopted at the end of 2009
• A questionnaire that was used to carry out the survey among European NGO network
• A document that launched 5 key priorities for better water management and against which the present assessment was carried out (released in November 2008)

An environmental roadmap for 2009-2014: the role of the European Parliament

2008-09-30

The election of a new European Parliament in June 2009 is an important moment to instil a new vision of
the EU in the world: an agenda not based on fear, plundering of resources and ecosystems, economic
competition or political domination.

This vision should be based on Europe's principle values: peace, cooperation, integration, solidarity and respect for human rights and environmental protection

Water for life: lessons for climate change adaptation from better management of rivers for people and nature

2008-08-16

This report presents six cases where the work of WWF and its partners has resulted in adaptations in water management that are reducing vulnerability to expected climate change impacts, and are also improving the livelihoods of local people and enhancing the conservation of freshwater biodiversity.

Adapting water to a changing climate: an overview

2008-08-16

Withdrawals of water, construction of dams and other infrastructure, pollution, land-use shifts, invasive species, and habitat modification and destruction have altered and degraded many rivers, lakes, and wetlands over the past century.

In recent decades, however, anthropogenic climate change has also begun to alter freshwater ecosystems, and this force will strengthen for many decades. Uncertainty should not be an excuse for inaction. Globally, water timing is likely to be the most important type of impact for both humans and other species since it affects both water quantity and quality.

Everything you need to know about the UN Watercourses Convention

2008-07-16

Since the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational uses of International Watercourses was adopted in 1997, water pollution and overuse have worsened in many places, and the world's poorest people are already facing shrinking supplies.

The scale of the freshwater challenge is enormous, especially with climate change making water availability more unpredictable and causing more frequent, widespread droughts and floods. Securing the water we need to meet growing human needs, safeguard fragile ecosystems, and maintain economic prosperity is actually one of the most serious and urgent tasks confronting the world in the 21st Century.

WWF priorities for the next three EU Presidencies

2008-06-30

The 18 months beginning in July 2008 will be decisive for Europe, delivering verdicts on the success (or otherwise) of efforts to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 and reach global agreement on measures to prevent dangerous climate change after 2012. In this position paper, WWF sets out action priorities for the EU Presidency Troika of France, the Czech Republic and Sweden during this period, based on the belief that Europe can become the world's first sustainable society. The Troika has the backing of the European public, which wants environment protection to be regulated at the EU level. It will also need to inspire the support of other member states.

WWF Report: Desalination - option or distraction for a thirsty world?

2007-06-25

Making drinking water out of sea water is a growing trend but it also poses potential threat to the environment that could exacerbate climate change, says WWF in a global review of desalination plants worldwide.

The WWF review, Making water: Desalination – option or distraction for a thirsty world?, shows that some of the driest and thirstiest places are turning to desalination. These include regions where water problems affect large, populous areas — Australia, the Middle East, Spain, the UK and US, with India and China following suit.

World's Top 10 Rivers at Risk

2007-03-20

The report, World's Top Rivers at Risk, lists the top ten rivers that are fast dying as a result of climate change, pollution and dams.

Five of the ten rivers listed in the report are in Asia alone. They are the Yangtze, Mekong, Salween, Ganges and Indus. Europe's Danube, the Americas' La Plata and Rio Grande/Rio Bravo, Africa's Nile-Lake Victoria and Australia's Murray-Darling also make the list.

The report calls on governments to better protect river flows and water allocations in order to safeguard habitats and people's livelihoods.

For further information:
Sergey Moroz
European Water Policy Officer
WWF European Policy Officer
Tel: +32 2 740 09 23
E-mail: smoroz@wwfepo.org

Rich countries, Poor water

2006-08-16

The WWF report Rich countries, poor water is one of the first comprehensive overviews of water issues in the developed world.

The report shows that a combination of climate change and drought and loss of wetlands that store water, along with poorly thought out water infrastructure and resource mismanagement, is making this crisis truly global. The report highlights impacts of water problems in countries such as Australia, Spain, Japan, and the UK, and the US.

One Europe More Nature - Project Brochure

2006-05-30

WWF's One Europe More Nature project is working to restore and maintain key European landscapes and habitats by forging innovative partnerships with a wide ranger of stakeholders.

At a series of sites across Europe, WWF and its local partners are working to identify opportunities where the interests of business and nature overlap, and forging innovative partnerships to take advantage of these opportunities. The people involved in our projects include big businesses, extractive industries, local entrepreneurs, farmers, foresters and politicians. Together, we are working to develop win-win situations where economic and ecological concerns go hand in hand, where businesses make a profit and nature's capital is maintained or enhanced.

This brochure sets out the project's aims and objectives, and provides details of the eight project sites - Doñana (Spain), Tisza floodplain (Hungary), Maramures (Romania), the Ardennes (Spain), Gelderse Poort (the Netherlands), Prespa (Greece), Sinca Noua (Romania) and Väinameri (Estonia).

These sites serve as showcases for the One Europe More Nature approach – living examples of a new way of living, and an inspiration for people across Europe to get involved and start shaping Europe's changing landscapes for the benefit of people and nature.

The project is funded and inspired by WWF Netherlands.