WWF - Public Sector Partnerships

Pioneers for responsibly farmed pangasius recognized

2012-11-21

Vietnam's pangasius sector will achieve its target to certify ten per cent of the country's pangasius production under the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standard by the end of 2012. This achievement was recognized during an event in Ho Chi Minh City today to share progress across the sector and commend certified Vietnamese pangasius producers.

In 2010, WWF, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) and the Vietnam Fisheries Society (VINAFIS) signed a Cooperation Agreement to support efforts to improve environmental and social responsibility in the pangasius industry in order to achieve ASC certification. Parties to the Cooperation Agreement committed to supporting pangasius producers to achieve 100 per cent of farmed pangasius production for export under one of several certification schemes by 2015, with 50 per cent of this under the ASC by 2015, and 10 per cent by 2012.

About 30 of Vietnam's biggest pangasius producers are supported by the parties to the Cooperation Agreement; WWF, VASEP, VINAFIS – and in close cooperation with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), Anova and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) – in their efforts to achieve ASC certification.

Event applauds producers achieving ASC certification

The event - organized by the Vietnam Directorate of Fishery (D-Fish), VASEP, VINAFIS and WWF, in close cooperation with IDH and SNV - brought together responsible pangasius producers and international buyers to applaud producers achieving ASC certification and to sign purchase agreements.

"These pioneering companies are setting an example for the wider industry. If the market responds appropriately, a major shift of the industry to responsible farming methods will be triggered," said Dr. Nguyen Huu Dzung, VASEP Vice President. "Adopting responsible practices will also increase the future sustainability of the industry in Vietnam, protecting income and employment for the long term."

Corporations including Vinh Hoan, Hung Vuong, NTACO and Hoang Long, recently achieved ASC certification and are among the biggest pangasius producers in the Mekong Delta. The ASC certification guarantees that the pangasius is farmed in a responsible manner with minimal negative impact on the environment, farm staff and surrounding communities.

Among the producers attending the event, Huong Vuong Corporation was the first producer to express its commitment to ASC, and recently achieved ASC certification for its farm in Phu Tuc in the Mekong Delta.
"Complying with the ASC standard is not only environmentally responsible, it's also good for business as it opens doors to new markets in Europe and the US," said Mr. Duong Ngoc Minh, Chairman of the Management Board of Hung Vuong Corporation. "With ASC-labeled products we can grow our business while assuring consumers they're buying a responsibly farmed product."

Most of Vietnam's pangasius farms are located in the Mekong Delta provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap and Can Tho. Farms vary in size from less than 1 hectare in size, to more than 100 ha. The sector is a major provider of employment in these provinces, particularly in the processing plants that fillet and freeze pangasius for export.

The fastest growing food production system in the world.

"Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production system in the world, and its rapid expansion has not come without impacts," said Chris Ninnes, ASC's CEO. "ASC certification recognises and rewards farms that are following responsible practices. This includes conservation of water resources, no misuse of antibiotics, responsible use of feed, and behaving in a socially responsible manner."

More than 90 per cent of world exports of pangasius is sourced from Vietnam. In 2011, Vietnam's pangasius export value reached USD1.85 billion representing 1 per cent of GDP - making it an important sector for Vietnam.

"Farmed seafood already accounts for about half of all the fish and shellfish we eat," said Jose Villalon, WWF's Vice President of Aquaculture. "When done responsibly, aquaculture presents a solution to meeting the increasing food demand of a growing global population. WWF applauds producers in Vietnam who have achieved ASC certification and we are committed to working with industry leaders eager to embrace sustainability."

Decision on Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna follows scientific advice: WWF applauds

2012-11-19

Agadir, Morocco: WWF congratulates decision makers from the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for taking scientific advice and not increasing Atlantic bluefin tuna quotas to unsustainable levels.

At the closing of the 18th Special Meeting of ICCAT the 48 Contracting Parties decided to follow advice provided by the Scientific Committee and agree on annual fishing quotas of 13,500 t from 2013.

"We encourage policy makers to continue to listen to science in the future. Only then will the East Atlantic and Mediterranean stock of Atlantic bluefin tuna have a chance to fully recover," said Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries, WWF-Mediterranean.

WWF has a decade long involvement in the fight to avoid the collapse of this species. Collaboration with scientists, decision-makers and the fishing industry has resulted in turning what seemed to be an impending tide.

"The bluefin tuna story illustrates how joint efforts to drive change can save even the most hopeless of fisheries from collapse,"

The assessment of the East Atlantic and Mediterranean stock of bluefin tuna by the Scientific Committee prior to the ICCAT meeting detected, for the first time in the last decade, signs of a population increase.

"Such results have obviously driven interests and requests for quota increase," added Tudela.

Scientists however warned that the speed and extent of the detected recovery were unknown. They recommended a total catch within the range of 12,900 t to 13,500 t annually to ensure the stock could continue its recovery.

"The 2012 meeting was a real test of the commitment of ICCAT members on the conservation of the bluefin tuna. We are pleased that respect for science has finally been imposed, with the EU at the forefront, in the fight against short term benefits by setting unsustainable fishing levels."

Unfortunately ICCAT has not sufficiently addressed the issues of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

"We are frustrated about the apparent inability of the ICCAT to really ensure a real investigation of the reported allegations".

ICCAT examined cases submitted by WWF, which included well-documented irregular fishing and farming activities in Tunisia this year and large-scale unreported trade to Japan through Panama during the last ten years, yet no proactive decisions were made about these issues.

"WWF will continue to deepen its efforts to expose environmental crime in this iconic fishery." Tudela concluded.

ENDS

For more information:
Chantal MENARD - Communications - WWF Mediterranean
Email: cmenard@wwfmedpo.org Phone: +39 346 235 74 81

Notes to Editors:
WWF asks of ICCAT 2012

Extend the current (2012) management measures, including the fishing quotas and fishing seasons, to the period 2013-2015.
Review and strengthen the current fishing capacity reduction plan to bring real catch capacity down to the level of fishing possibilities
Keep fighting illegal, unregulated, unreported catches (IUU).
Provide for the obligation of tuna farms to record size at harvest of all individual fish and to submit the information to ICCAT for stock assessment purposes.
Develop new methods leading to a much more reliable stock assessment in 2015.

Images:
https://photos.panda.org/gpn/external?albumId=4329

WWF: World Bank must fight climate change and stop funding fossil fuel projects

2012-11-19

Gland, Switzerland –The World Bank and its member governments must move funding out of fossil fuel projects and into renewable energy if they are to fight the worst impacts of climate change on the poor, says WWF in response to a report released today by the Bank.

The report, Turn down the heat – Why a 4°C world must be avoided, summarizes the latest climate science and describes a world that is 4°C warmer, with droughts, extreme heat, flooding and crop failures. The report warns that at the current rate of CO2 emissions we could reach 4° warming by 2060, with dire consequences for us all, particularly the lives and livelihoods of the poor.

It says that the world can still keep global warming below 2°C, but living up to current commitments and even stronger policies are a must: "Numerous studies show that there are technically and economically feasible emissions pathways to hold warming likely below 2°C. Thus the level of impacts that developing countries and the rest of the world experience will be a result of government, private sector, and civil society decisions and choices, including, unfortunately, inaction."

According to Samantha Smith, leader of WWF's Global Climate and Energy Initiative, the report is strong on science but short on what the Bank and its members will do to curb the use of fossil fuels, the single biggest source of CO2 emissions. Last week, the International Energy said that two-thirds of known fossil fuels need to stay in the ground to avoid dangerous climate change.

"The World Bank's report shows that climate change is a massive threat to development and the natural world on which so many depend. Climate change is very likely to leave today's children with a world that is much poorer, less safe and more inequitable. The World Bank and its member governments have the means to finance a fair transition to a cleaner, safer and fairer future. WWF expects that this report is a first step towards that decision," she says.

Tasneem Essop, WWF's head of low carbon frameworks, says the report is a timely wakeup call in advance of the UN climate negotiations in Doha, which start next week.

"How many droughts, heat waves and extreme weather events will it take before our leaders take notice? We agree with the World Bank: the facts are out there and there is a moral responsibility to act. The minimalist leadership style of industrialised countries has to change," she says.

Real leadership must be the hallmark of the Doha negotiations. "Doha must lay the basis for a fair ambition and binding agreement by 2015. There's no time for world leaders to dither on this anymore, and this World Bank report makes this clear," says Essop.

ends

For more information please contact

Mandy Jean Woods mwoods@wwf.org.za / +27 82 553 4211 (please send SMS if urgent)
Samantha Smith ssmith@wwf.org.za
Tasneem Essop tessop@wwf.org.za

WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

The Global Climate & Energy Initiative (GCEI) is WWF's global programme addressing climate change, promoting renewable and sustainable energy, scaling up green finance, engaging the private sector and working nationally and internationally on implementing low carbon, climate resilient development.

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WWF launches ten point Paris Appeal to EU leaders ahead of budget summit

2012-11-15

(Brussels 15th November) Ahead of next week's EU leader's summit on the 7-year EU budget framework, Chief Executives from all 17 of WWF's European National and Programme Offices have issued a joint appeal to European leaders for the creation of a truly sustainable European Economy.

Next week's meeting is being held to find a compromise EU budget for the 2014-2020 period. In the appeal WWF is asking for 10 principles to be adopted by the European Institutions if we are to have any chance of revitalising the ailing European Economy, injecting fresh optimism into the European project and galvanizing citizens around an environmentally and socially responsible vision of society.

The "Paris Appeal" was adopted as one of the conclusions of WWF France's 6th Green Economy Forum held in September of this year. It has been formally endorsed by the WWF network.

Comments by Tony Long, Director of the WWF European Policy Office

"European Leaders must not forgo this opportunity to rebuild societies that provide the economic fundamentals necessary for sustainable recovery, the creation of new jobs in a green economy and addresses citizen's demands for protection of the environment. So far we have failed dismally in achieving this goal of marrying economy and ecology. If the 10 measures we have sent to European Government leaders become the bedrock for change, we can see a Europe emerge from this crisis stronger and in better environmental health, ready to join other progressive governments in tackling issues like climate change and the loss of Nature."

"EU Leaders at next week's Budget Summit have an opportunity to lock in some of the core principles laid out in the Paris Appeal, especially in the area of Better spending.. WWF is not looking for an increase in the overall budget. Instead, we want support for negative EU subsidies like intensive agriculture and fossil fuels to stop and be replaced with environmentally sound options that can deliver for long-term food and energy security."

THE PARIS APPEAL

1.Internalise external environmental costs in government and corporate economic decision making through the routine incorporation of monetised environmental pollution and resource depletion accounting in economic calculations;

2.Develop environmental and social well-being indicators other than GDP. These indicators should form the basis of policy formation and decision-making, including economic adjustment programmes for economically troubled states such as Greece and Portugal;

3.Reorient the European budget 2014-20 to put an end to environmentally harmful subsidies and redirect them towards sectors of the green economy (eco-innovation, energy and resource savings, renewable energy, sustainable building, low carbon vehicles, sustainable agriculture, etc.) that are more sustainable and create more jobs. At least 25% of the next European budget should be allocated to combating and adapting to climate change, and 15% should fund the protection of biodiversity and natural resources;

4.Radically reform the Common Agricultural Policy by strengthening the rural development "pillar", half of which should be allocated to more sustainable agricultural practice, and significantly "greening" the production support "pillar" in an attempt to give it some greater legitimacy;

5.End public subsidies for high-carbon infrastructure such as air and road traffic, and instead provide support for low-carbon transport that satisfies wider environmental needs, avoids environmental damage through habitat fragmentation, and includes intelligent transport and public transport;

6.End fossil fuel subsidies and redirect them towards energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;

7.Increase funding for the EU funding programme for the environment, LIFE, to 1% of the next European budget for 2014-20 in particular to support biodiversity in Europe;

8.Strengthen rather than weaken environmental impact assessments, which are crucial to improving the efficiency of European projects and reducing the risk of accidents and negative impacts on the ground;

9.Tighten the EU's emissions reduction target from 20% to 30% by 2020 compared to 1990 levels, and achieve energy efficiency goals as well as strengthening the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS);

10. Introduce a Financial Transaction Tax to place greater controls on the financial system and generate additional public funding for global public goods.

Source of the article

Contact: Philippe Carr, WWF European Policy Office,

Media & Communications,

WWF European Policy Office,

Tel: +32 476 25 68 79

E-mail: pcarr@wwf.eu

WWF Appeal for a more sustainable Europe - Open letter to EU leaders

2012-11-15

In the run-up to decisionmaking on the next EU financial perspective for 2014-20, Europe has a chance to make ambitious political choices and define a new development model, attuned to the needs of both people and the planet. To make this possible, WWF believes we must face up now to the environmental, social and economic challenges.

In an open letter to EU decisionmakers, WWF has called upon all European heads of state and governments and the Presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council to commit to 10 fundamental principles as a blueprint for the sustainable growth that represents the only solution to the combined crises besetting our continent:

1. Internalise external environmental costs in government and corporate economic decision making through the routine incorporation of monetised environmental pollution and resource depletion accounting in economic calculations;

2. Develop environmental and social well-being indicators other than GDP. These indicators should form the basis of policy formation and decision-making, including economic adjustment programmes for economically troubled states such as Greece and Portugal;

3. Reorient the European budget 2014-20 to put an end to environmentally harmful subsidies and redirect them towards sectors of the green economy (eco-innovation, energy and resource savings, renewable energy, sustainable building, low carbon vehicles, sustainable agriculture, etc.) that are more sustainable and create more jobs. At least 25% of the next European budget should be allocated to combating and adapting to climate change, and 15% should fund the protection of biodiversity and natural resources;

4. Radically reform the Common Agricultural Policy by strengthening the rural development "pillar", half of which should be allocated to more sustainable agricultural practice, and significantly "greening" the production support "pillar" in an attempt to give it some greater legitimacy;

5. End public subsidies for high-carbon infrastructure such as air and road traffic, and instead provide support for low-carbon transport that satisfies wider environmental needs, avoids environmental damage through habitat fragmentation, and includes intelligent transport and public transport;

6. End fossil fuel subsidies and redirect them towards energy efficiency and renewable energy sources;

7. Increase funding for the EU funding programme for the environment, LIFE, to 1% of the next European budget for 2014-20 in particular to support biodiversity in Europe;

8. Strengthen rather than weaken environmental impact assessments, which are crucial to improving the efficiency of European projects and reducing the risk of accidents and negative impacts on the ground;

10. Introduce a Financial Transaction Tax to place greater controls on the financial system and generate additional public funding for ecological transition in the EU.

Banks and funds put on notice on Sumatra pulp mill investment risk

2012-11-14

Banks and other financial institutions have been asked for assurances they will not provide investment support to Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) plans for additional pulping capacity in already massively deforested Sumatra.

A letter to financial institutions, signed by 60 environmental and social non-governmental organisations, highlights that APP's record on keeping promises to investors is as bad as its record on keeping to a series of commitments to abandon its assault on native forests housing critically endangered Sumatran tigers and elephants.

"We believe that potential investors should be as concerned with APPs practices as the major companies no longer buying paper and packaging materials from the company," said WWF International Forest Programme director Rod Taylor.

"If potential reputational risk is not enough, alarm bells should ring over the company's default on nearly $US14 billion of debt in 2001 and the company's current conduct in US courts over meeting obligations to some of its former investors."

APP's new mill would produce between 1.5 and 2.0 million tonnes per year of bleached hardwood pulp, making it the largest single pulp line in the world. Respected Sumatra NGO coalition Eyes on the Forest has estimated that APP and supplier companies have already pulped more than two million hectares of natural rainforests in Riau province Sumatra alone.

The letter highlights APP's failures to honor environmental covenants given during restructuring of some of its debt and to the continuing loss of major customers (such as Disney, Hasbro, Mattel, Unilever, Nestle, Danone, Xerox, Mondi) as a result of concerns about its deforestation practices, community conflict and business and reputational risks to buyers.

"Indonesia is a potentially promising place to conduct investment in pulp and paper, with its humid climate and year-long sunlight which enables pulp wood to mature much quicker compared to subtropical countries, unfortunately this is being brought into disrepute by the destructive practises of APP which continues to rely on natural forest clearing for its pulp supply," said WWF Indonesia's Conservation Director, Nazir Foead.

President says to promote renewable energy development

2012-11-13

Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj said that his country had rich renewable energy resources and would vigorously pursue development in this area.Solar, wind and other renewable energy resources were very rich in Mongolia, Elbegdorj said at the opening of the Northeast Asia Renewable Energy Resources Cooperation Forum.The resources were more than enough to meet domestic demand, so the country might export such products in the future, he added.It was of great significance for Mongolia to do research on and develop renewable energy, he said, while inviting other countries to jointly develop solar and wind energy with Mongolia.The Mongolian government planned to increase the share of renewable energy to between 20 percent and 25 percent of its total energy consumption by 2020.The two-day energy forum gathers delegates from China, South Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia, France, Britain, the Asian Development Bank and the International Energy Agency.

Open letter to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission on the Partnership principle in the Common regulation

2012-11-08

43 European Institutions and NGOs have come together to sign a letter, demanding that European Leaders include greater partnership in regional spending. By doing so, better program delivery and management can be secured, thus ensuring more value from our expenditure.

The open letter asks for the full participation of the relevant socio-economic and civil society actors in the preparation and implementation of the future project partnership contracts and programmes. In addition we are looking for stakeholders to become active in the monitoring and steering committees.

This letter is signed by:

ARCLATTI

Assembly of the European Regions

Birdlife Europe

CAN-Europe

CECODHAS Housing Europe

CEE Bank watch Network

CEE web for Biodiversity

CEKOR- Center for Ecology and Sustainable Development

Center for Transport and Energy

Clean Air Action Group

CSEMETE Conservationist and Environmental Association)

E3G

EEB

EKOS, Estonian Council of Environmental NGOs

Energy Cities

Enterprise and Regeneration Cyfarwyddwr Menter ac Adfywiad

EREC

EUCIS-ILL

Euclide Network

European Anti Poverty Network

European Anti-Poverty Network-España

European Civil Society House

European Foundation Center

European Network for Social Integration Enterprises

European Public health Alliance

European Roma Policy Coalition

European Women's Lobby

Friend of the Earth Czech Rep

Friend of the Earth Europe

Fundación Secretariado Gitano

Housing Europe Centre

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability

National Society of Conservationists (Friends of the Earth Hungary)

Polish Green Network

REVES aisbl

SFteam for Sustainable Future

SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE

Social Platform

The Association of European Border Regions

The European Disability Forum

Transport & Environment

WWF European Policy Office

Harnessing the power of multi-lateral partnerships for trans-boundary conservation

2012-11-07

ADB-WWF Partnership Manager Aaron Vermeulen delivered a key note speech on leveraging multi‐lateral partnerships to implement trans-boundary marine conservation at the recently concluded 2012 South China Sea (SCS) Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Titled "Sharing Knowledge, Resources and Technologies for a Sustainable SCS", the conference's different sessions focused on regional cooperation in ocean and earth sciences research.

Addressing an audience of almost 70 participants, Vermeulen emphasised the economic value of natural capital in the Coral Triangle region, highlighting the work of WWF's Coral Triangle Global Initiative on sustainable development for (marine) conservation using the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI‐CFF) Framework.

"The profile of CTI-CFF at the recent Rio+20 Convention for sustainable development has reconfirmed its unique ability as a mechanism for regional collaboration to deliver on many of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development outcomes," he stated.

Vermeulen further outlined engagements by providing examples on how supporting the establishment of platforms in aiding innovation and entrepreneurship can scale up the progress towards sustaining food security and livelihoods. In addition, he highlighted the progress of working on sustainable finance for Marine Protected Areas, and the latest developments in sustainable aquaculture in Malaysia.

"All efforts are small drops in the ocean," he concluded. "Work in the CTI, for instance, can only be scaled up through (strong) partnerships."

The long existing partnership of Asian Development Bank and WWF have been catalytic in both the establishment of the CTI, and in leveraging further investments for initiatives aimed at sustaining natural capital.

The SCS conference, organised by the University of Malaysia, was held last 21-24 October. It was attended by scientists, environmentalists, lawyers and policy-makers, and other stake-holders of the SCS.

Stronger carbon market would net EU governments over €60 billion

2012-11-06

Brussels, Belgium – European countries could increase revenues from a strengthened EU carbon market by more than €60 billion between 2013 and 2020, according to a report [1] released today and commissioned by Greenpeace and WWF. The report also shows that the extra income could substantially increase green investments, while leaving European industry unscathed.

The EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has been suffering from a low carbon price and an excess of emission allowances which have in turn reduced EU government revenues and hampered the scheme's ability to cut carbon emissions from Europe's industrial sector. As a response to this situation, the European Commission is expected to release a plan on 14 November to curb the oversupply of emission allowances.

The report, based on modelling by the German-based Öko-Insitut, shows that temporarily withholding emission allowances – a step known as 'backloading' – would increase carbon market revenues by 7 percent or €7 billion between 2013 and 2020, compared to a scenario without intervention. In addition, the report finds that with carbon market measures delivering 25 to 30% greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2020, auctioning revenues would increase between 73 and 91% (€62 - €78 billion for 2013-2020). Several EU member states, including Germany and Latvia, decided to use ETS auctioning revenues for supporting innovation and green technology.

Sam Van den plas, Climate Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office said: "Without a stronger carbon market EU governments lose the opportunity to send an economically efficient price signal to Europe's biggest climate polluters. What the EU needs is a combination of emergency and structural measures to fix its carbon market. EU governments need to smartly invest the auctioning revenues in cleaner and more competitive production."

The report also demonstrates that the effects of ETS intervention on the competitiveness of European industries – such as steel and cement – are negligible, as many sectors continue to benefit from free emission allowances. Finally, the report criticises the Commission's 2009 assessment of the ETS' impact on industrial competitiveness (known as carbon leakage), arguing that it is based on outdated parameters.

Joris den Blanken, Greenpeace climate policy director said: "Despite Europe's carbon market, coal burning is on a record-high. The carbon market is not working and EU leaders need to fix it before it becomes irrelevant. This report demonstrates that a functioning carbon market can bring huge financial benefits without harming European industry."

WWF and Greenpeace support backloading as an important temporary solution to fix the ETS and call on the EU to withhold at least 1.4 billion emission allowances. However, backloading must be followed urgently by structural measures to strengthen the ETS, in line with cutting domestic EU emissions by 30%, compared to 1990 levels.

Source of the article

Note to editors:

1.For the full report, including an executive summary in English and German, click here.

A domestic 30% EU emission reduction objective for the EU ETS implies in total 2.7 billion emission allowances would need to be retired from the next trading phase (ie. a reduction of the cap by 2.7 billion EUAs between 2013 and 2020). This can be achieved by a combination of a cancellation of emission allowances and an increase of the annual linear reduction factor.

For further information:

Sam Van den plas – Climate Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office, +32 485 95 22 01, svandenplas@wwf.eu

Joris den Blanken – Greenpeace EU climate policy director: +32 476 96 1375, joris.den.blanken@greenpeace.org

Targeted support vital to future of renewables

2012-10-23

Brussels, Belgium – Targeted financial support policies at EU and Member State level, such as feed-in tariffs, create needed certainty for renewable energy investors, in a way that carbon pricing alone would fail to do, according to a WWF UK report – 'On Picking Winners' – launched today.

The report comes at a turbulent time. Uncertainty about future policy support for renewable energy in key markets such as the UK and Italy has contributed to a notable drop in investment levels across the EU [1]. However, this money is going further than ever before as key technologies such as wind and solar power cost significantly less year on year. WWF's report is, therefore, particularly relevant to ongoing EU discussions on the need for post 2020 renewable energy targets.

'On Picking Winners: The need for targeted support for renewable energy', written by Dr Rob Gross of Imperial College London, argues that given the numerous benefits of renewable energy, it is vital that the EU and its Member State governments provide the support needed to ensure it plays its full part in decarbonising the EU's energy system.

"Without targeted and proportionate policies supporting our renewables industry, we will miss out on the opportunity rapidly to reduce the costs of emerging renewable technologies, and will fail to capitalise on the promising economic growth opportunities that the sector has to offer in the EU", said Imke Lübbeke, Senior Renewable Energy Policy Officer at WWF European Policy Office.

Several commentators, the report notes, have argued that a single, economy-wide carbon price is the most effective way of addressing the climate change challenge. However, although carbon pricing has an important role to play, it is far from sufficient on its own to bring forward investment and accelerate cost reductions in emerging renewable technologies, or to avoid lock-in to high carbon infrastructure [2].

Imke Lübbeke concluded: "Our report exposes deep flaws in the argument that carbon pricing can do it all. Whilst the simplicity of this argument may sound appealing, in practice relying on carbon pricing alone is likely to lead to carbon-intensive gas plants continuing to dominate our energy mix – thereby preventing newer and cleaner technologies from realising their potential and locking us in to a risky reliance on largely imported fossil fuels".

Source of the article

Note to the editors:

1. Bloomberg New Energy Finance: World clean energy investment heading for a drop in 2012, after mediocre Q3, October 2012

2. The report highlights a number of limitations which could arise if carbon pricing was the only policy driver to support investment in renewables:

A carbon price will rarely be set at the level necessary to attract investment in newer clean technologies like renewables. Instead, it is more likely to drive investment from coal to gas.

A carbon price set high enough to drive investment in emerging technologies which cannot yet compete with established fossil fuel generation would risk a windfall for operators of existing low carbon plant and higher prices for consumers. Targeted financial support policies combined with a lower carbon price provides an effective way of providing certainty to renewable energy developers whilst driving investment away from high carbon technologies across all sectors.

At the global level, fossil fuels are more often subsidised than taxed, which also undermines carbon pricing. The effect of fossil fuel subsidies is therefore to create, in effect a 'negative carbon price'.

Carbon pricing does not do enough to overcome the non-financial barriers that hinder the deployment of emerging technologies such as compatibility with existing infrastructure, incumbent lobby interests and skill shortages.

Further information:

Imke Lübbeke
Senior Policy Officer Renewable Energy
WWF European Policy Officer
iluebbeke@wwf.eu
Phone:+32 2 743 8818
Mobile:+32 4 99 538 733

Audrey Gueudet
Communication and Media Officer
WWF European Policy Office
agueudet@wwf.eu
Phone: +32 2 743 88 06 |
Mobile: + 32 494 03 20 27

Governments make good progress on marine, slow on finance at Hyderabad biodiversity meet

2012-10-20

Hyderabad, India – 'Painfully slow' seems to have been the mantra adopted by governments in their sluggish quest to agree on key targets to protect our planet's natural resources at the UN Convention on Biological diversity in Hyderabad this week, with a hard-earned agreement on a doubling of international financing by 2015 arriving early on Saturday.

But even before plenary got underway, delegates had already reached agreements on a number of big issues, with marine one of the most notable successes.

"WWF came to Hyderabad asking governments to set the world on a course that would help prevent further declines in some of the world's most valuable resources, and we have seen some success here," said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International's Executive Director of Conservation.

"But the deal reached on financing at CoP11 Hyderabad is a disappointing result, because it is not nearly enough money to reach the ambitious targets to protect biodiversity the world set two years ago in Nagoya," he said.

The agreement to double biodiversity investments from developed countries to developing nations means an additional US$5 billion to 2015, representing a total of US$10 billion per year. From here, investments will be frozen to 2020, the year the Aichi Targets are set to conclude.

WWF estimates that approximately US$200 billion needs to be invested in biodiversity by 2020 if governments are serious about meeting the Aichi Targets. What's been agreed in Hyderabad represents less than half this number.

Tide comes in on marine

Governments did manage to agree on a way forward to protect the world's oceans, and have set in motion a process could see better conservation applied to marine environments beyond national jurisdictions, commonly known as the high seas – a massive area that represents close to 40 per cent of our planet's surface.

The success came as delegates agreed to send reports on ecologically and biologically signigicant areas (EBSAs) of the high seas to the UN General Assembly. If UN agencies take action to ensure shipping and other activities do not harm these important areas, this could lead to better management of ocean environments beyond national boarders, according to WWF.

Another significant point of progress came with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's US$50 million "Hyderabad Pledge", a commitment that will channel much needed biodiversity investments into India and other developing nations that are finding it difficult to cover urgently needed investments in natural capital.

"The fact that India made a financial commitment at national and international level sets a precedent for other emerging economies to offer more support to global biodiversity conservation," said Lasse Gustavsson.

CLEAN, GREEN, SPENDING IS POSSIBLE

2012-10-18

New map highlights European regional spending that works for environment and people

Brussels, October 18, 2012 – A new publication released today documenting regional spending during the 2007-2013 period highlights how in times of economic and environmental crisis, Cohesion Policy can guide investments that are sustainable, innovative and really benefit the public. CEE Bankwatch Network, Friends of the Earth Europe and WWF published today a map and website (www.wellspent.eu) showing where European regional spending has triggered environmental protection and sustainable development [1] – including public transport, renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

European spending has often been misguided and damaging, through investments promoting fossil fuel use, carbon-intensive projects or the destruction of nature [2], according to the three organisations. The European budget currently under negotiation for the 2014-2020 period is over a trillion Euro, a third of which should go to Cohesion. The map offers benchmark examples from across Europe for how this money should be spent.

Markus Trilling, EU funds campaigner at CEE Bankwatch/Friends of the Earth Europe said: "Sustainable, effective and environmentally-focused projects are out there – they're proof that our money doesn't have to disappear into roads and concrete. The upcoming EU budget is a chance to get it right for people, combining economic recovery with environmental protection."

Sébastien Godinot, economist at WWF European policy office said: "We want to inspire policy makers with this map so that they look at some of the Cohesion policy projects that run across Europe a little closer. From Portugal to Poland, regions are making positive choices for the environment and enhancing the quality of life for people in everyday situations."

CEE Bankwatch Network, Friends of the Earth Europe and WWF Europe are calling for 25% of the next EU budget (2014-2020) to be devoted to projects and initiatives that build a decarbonised economy across Europe. Member States must begin to plan how they will use the next EU Budget for environmental protection and resource efficiency, including protection for biodiversity and ecosystems across all Europe's regions.

***
Visit www.wellspent.eu to see how European projects funded by Cohesion Policy are working for the environment, society and the economy.

***

For more information please contact:

Markus Trilling, EU Funds campaigner at CEE Bankwatch/Friends of the Earth Europe

Tel: +32 (0) 484 056 636, email: markus.trilling@foeeurope.org

Sébastien Godinot, Economist at WWF European Policy Office

Tel: +32 (0) 2 740 0920, email: sgodinot@wwf.eu

***

NOTES

[1] Visit www.wellspent.eu to see how European projects funded by Cohesion Policy are working for the environment, society and the economy.

[2] EU funds in Central and Eastern Europe: Roadmap to sustainability or dead-end investments.

The CEE Bankwatch map presents environmentally and socially harmful projects financed or in line for financing by the European Union during the period 2007-2013: http://bankwatch.org/billions/

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WWF: India's $50 million biodiversity commitment welcome sign of leadership

2012-10-16

Hyderabad, India - WWF welcomes India's US$50 million dollar biodiversity investment pledge made today in Hyderabad and encourages other nations to step up and make similar commitments to support the health of our planet.

"This 50 million dollar pledge for biodiversity is a welcome show of leadership from one of the world's fastest growing - and biologically rich - counties," said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International Executive Director of Conservation.

"It's now up to other countries to make similar commitments and show the world how serious they are about protecting our planet's natural wealth," he added.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made the announcement today as the high-level negotiations at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) got underway. Called the "Hyderabad Pledge", the US$50 million in funding will be invested both domestically and shared with other developing nations that are now struggling to cover urgently needed investments in biodiverstiy.

"Two years ago in Japan, the world came together and agreed on a way forward to protect our planet. Now here in Hyderabad, we are starting to see signs of new leadership emerging - is this the beginning of a new South - South Cooperation leadership?" he added.

"It is wonderful to see the south step forward. But we still need to see developed countries increase their financial support for protecting biodiversity in developing countries."

For more information contact:

Chris Chaplin, WWF International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, Hyderabad: +91 96522 36722 or Singapore: +65-9826-3802

Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, akhosla@wwfindia.net, +91 98 1119 9288

WWF: Agreement on finance key to success at Hyderabad biodiversity meet

2012-10-15

Hyderabad, India - The first week of negotiations at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad closed with governments from developed and developing nations locked in difficult discussions on critical issues including setting clear finance targets, conserving valuable ocean areas and its relationship with the UN climate convention, the UNFCCC.   

Summarizing the key challenges facing the CBD in the week ahead, WWF International's Coordinator for Biodiversity Policy Rolf Hogan said:

"So far, the biggest hurdle we've seen emerge are differences of opinion between developed and developing nations on finance issues. Developed countries do not want to commit more money to reach resource mobilization targets, and developing countries are saying that if no money is made available, then they will 'walk away' from their Nagoya commitments."

"We need countries to agree on how to increase financing for biodiversity. This means agreeing to increasing public biodiversity funding by 20% as well as increasing national budgets and developing new and additional financing mechanisms that can support the achievement of the 20 Targets of the CBD's masterplan up to 2020."  

"We also need to engage the private sector and ensure development and foreign direct investments do not destroy biodiversity."

"An agreement on finance is the key to success of COP 11. The stakes are high: if counties don't find a way to move beyond the hurdles they encountered in the first week, it could derail the commitments made in Nagoya two years ago."   

Encouraging signs 

"In spite of the challenges in some areas, WWF is encouraged to see signs of progress, and believes that success can still be attained if nations step up to match the level of ambition we saw two years ago in Nagoya."

"There are also positive signs that many countries, including emerging economies, will commit to new funding, but only if other nations reciprocate."

"It is important for Parties to get things right at Hyderabad. Success here means a clear path forward to the 2020 Aichi Targets."  

Conserving ocean biodiversity   

Negotiations on protecting important ocean areas are also facing difficulties, with a block of nations opposing the 'endorsement' of reports that identify important areas for conservation in ocean areas beyond national jurisdictions.

"Over 50 percent of the world's oceans fall outside of national boundaries. WWF encourages delegates to commit to clearly identifying ocean areas of value that fall beyond national jurisdictions," said Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana, Conservation Director of WWF Madagascar.   

"Establishing marine protected areas are part of the broader package of solutions that can help governments and businesses safeguard our oceans' enormous ecological, social, and economic benefits," she added.

  Climate and REDD+  

Negotiations on REDD+ are becoming root bound with some countries pushing to maintain a clear separation between the CBD and UNFCCC. Meanwhile, other countries are fighting to avoid any additional burden for monitoring and reporting under REDD+ programmes.

"Deforestation is a major cause of biodiversity loss – it is also responsible for up to a fifth of global carbon emissions. It is extremely important that all nations recognize and work to better integrate REDD+'s massive biodiversity benefits," said Rolf Hogan.   

For further information:

Chris Chaplin, WWF-International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, Hyderabad: +91 96522 36722 or Singapore: +65-9826-3802

Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, akhosla@wwfindia.net, +91 98 1119 9288

Governments invest too slowly in planet's natural wealth, WWF tells CBD delegates

2012-10-08

Gland, Switzerland - Governments meeting in India to make key decisions on our planet's future have to prove the deal they struck two years ago was not just a display of good will but a serious commitment.

Over 190 nations will meet in Hyderabad from 8th to 19th October to discuss implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, a legally binding treaty governing the sustainable use of our planet's natural wealth.

Two years ago governments agreed to set the world on a course to help prevent further species extinctions and the decline of the world's most valuable nature.

But since this historic achievement, many have failed to deliver on the promises and commitments made in Japan. WWF is calling on all nations who gather in Hyderabad to urgently start implementing the previously agreed targets.

"What was agreed in Nagoya really has the power to halt the dramatic loss of biodiversity across the globe and address the main drivers of the destruction."

"But now governments must prove that Nagoya was not just a platform for empty promises. They need to start taking real steps and implement the targets and commitments they agreed on," said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International's Executive Director for Conservation.

"The targets agreed at the CBD in 2010 show that countries have the will to come together to protect our planet. Now they must put money behind their promises and turn their words into action."

Progress...but not enough

An overwhelming 91 percent of Parties to the CBD have developed strategies and plans for their approach to protect nature and biodiversity. But only 14 Parties have revised their plans taking into consideration the strategic plan agreed in Nagoya, and even fewer have taken measures to integrate the services that nature provides into their development plans.

Yet even amidst this dismal performnce, some nations have stepped up and are starting to make good on the commitments they voiced in Nagoya.

In Indonesia, the government has agreed a US$28.5 million debt-for-nature swap with the US for a forest-carbon-biodiversity conservation program.

In Guyana, a conservation trust fund was launched in July 2012 that paves the way for establishing a National Protected Areas Trust Fund.

And European countries have agreed a strategy to meet the CBD targets across the European Union which if implemented could help halt biodiversity loss by 2020.

"Governments can only be serious about these targets if they are prepared to invest in achieving them. We need to see richer countries helping poorer countries and all countries increasing their domestic budgets," said Rolf Hogan, Biodiversity Policy Coordinator at WWF International.

"Nature underpins our existence on earth and governments need to invest in nature if they are serious about our future. Protecting biodiversity and nature is an investment in the future."

Notes to editors

To find out more about WWF at the CBD visit http://bit.ly/SGWaKv

Follow us on Twitter: @wwf_media

For more information contact

Natalie Boudou WWF International nboudou@wwfint.org +41 79 820 2898

Chris Chaplin, WWF International, cchaplin@wwf.sg, +65 9826 3802, +86 139 117 747 472
Twitter: @ChrisChaplin78

Official launch of the co funded EU and UNDP Project "Governance, marine resources management policies and poverty reduction in West African Marine Eco Region"

2012-09-24

The project "governance, marine resources management policies and poverty reduction in West African Marine Eco region" was launched Friday 21st September 2012 in Dakar (Senegal- West Africa). The official ceremony was presided over by the Senegalese prime minister in the presence of the European Union Representative, the UNDP Resident Representative in Dakar, WWF WAMP0 representative and delegates from the 7 countries covered by the project (Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bisau, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone).

General Affairs Council: No movement on 20% climate action commitment in budget negotiations

2012-09-24

Brussels, Belgium (24th September). The General Affairs Council has ended without Ministers delivering on a commitment for a 20% allocation on climate action in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 .The European Commission had previously pledged that a minimum of 20% of the MFF would be committed to tackling climate change in areas including Cohesion Policy, Common Agricultural Policy, Development Policy and Research and Development.

Member States are currently reviewing the "negotiating box" which identifies the different programs and budget allocations that should be financed between 2014 - 2020.

Meanwhile this proposal is making its way through the European Parliament. Last week the Environment Committee voted for a 30% climate action spending in the MFF.

Quote: Sébastien Godinot, Economist with the WWF European Policy Office

"WWF is concerned that Member States will row back on promises that would make better use of the MFF. Ministers seem more interested in fighting over topline amounts than getting value from what is already there. Not even the wealthier Member States in the "Friends of Better Spending" alliance are speaking up for a 20% climate action allocation for the next EU budget. While this was a commitment made by the European Commission, this proposal is essential if we are to implement the EU 2020 climate change strategy and get the maximum benefit from the budget":

"We are also very concerned about recent threats made by some Members States and MEPs to cut the overall level of greening in the Common Agricultural Policy if its overall budget is reduced. These bullying tactics are short sighted and will lead to major environmental problems across the EU. Farmers need to be reminded that, public opinion will only support public money spent on a CAP that delivers public goods."

Editors Note

The Friends of Better Spending are a loose alliance of Member States who are looking to cut the topline budget figure. The group compromises of Austria, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Contact: Philippe Carr, WWF European Policy Office, Media & Communications,

WWF European Policy Office,

Tel: +32 476 25 68 79

E-mail: pcarr@wwf.eu

www.wwf.eu for latest news and media resources

Source of the article

Green 10 calls on Finance Ministers not to fund a future CAP that destroys nature

2012-09-19

Brussels, Belgium (19th September). Today the directors of the 10 largest environmental non-governmental organisations in Europe, the Green 10, have written to the all 27 EU Finance Ministers to demand that before the next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020 is approved, full clarity is provided by agricultural negotiators on what they intend to do with requested Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding. If these activities prove detrimental to society and the environment they should not be funded. The Green 10 is also asking that those parts of the CAP that are providing substantial and demonstrable benefits for society and European taxpayers (such as the environment) are safeguarded.

The Green 10 is concerned that the next CAP reform will provide little benefit for the environment and will instead continue to subsidise farming practices that are contributing to serious problems such as climate change, loss of biodiversity and the destruction of our natural capital.

Source of the article

Contact: Philippe Carr,

Media & Communications,

WWF European Policy Office,

Tel: +32 476 25 68 79

E-mail: pcarr@wwf.eu

EU LIFE program needs budget increase in line with new Natura 2000 responsibilities

2012-09-19

Brussels, Belgium (19th September). Today, the European Parliament Environment (ENVI) Committee voted to expand the role of the LIFE program so that it covers 10% of the Natura 2000 costs. LIFE is a fitting home for Natura 2000 as it is the only EU program that exclusively looks after the environment. Given its profile LIFE should be given a bigger role and fund at least 20% of Natura 2000. Today's vote can only be welcomed as a first step if LIFE receives the funding it needs.

Currently LIFE support for nature conservation and fighting global warming accounts for only 0.2% of the entire EU budget per annum which is equal to the cost of one Airbus A-380-800. For LIFE to take on these new responsibilities its share would need to increase to at least 1% of the total EU budget

Quotes: Andreas Baumueller, Head, Natural Resources & Land Use WWF European Policy Office

"LIFE is one of the EU's best environmental achievements and yet the EU is starving it of resources. The program is developing best practice environmental projects throughout Europe and this needs support. So far providing only 0.2% of the total EU Budget to LIFE can be regarded as nothing more than a rounding error. If LIFE is to be responsible for the funding elements of Natura 2000, the vast network of nature protection areas, it is going to need real budgetary support.

"When MEPs and the Council are carving out the next seven year EU budget they need to make sure that LIFE is adequately funded. This will require a budget of at least €1.7billion per year if it is to finance its various projects and Natura 2000 – a true EU success story, protecting nearly 20% of land in the EU. The annual budget of LIFE is presently only equal to the cost of one Airbus 380 and this is just inadequate."

Notes for the Editor

It is estimated that Natura 2000 vast network of nature protection areas provides EUR 200 – 300 billion per year of services to the European economy in areas such as water and land management, and the provision of other natural resources.

Contact: Philippe Carr, WWF European Policy Office,

Media & Communications,

WWF European Policy Office,

Tel: +32 476 25 68 79

E-mail: pcarr@wwf.eu

WWF - Public Sector Partnerships

Pioneers for responsibly farmed pangasius recognized

Event applauds producers achieving ASC certification

The fastest growing food production system in the world.

Decision on Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna follows scientific advice: WWF applauds

WWF: World Bank must fight climate change and stop funding fossil fuel projects

WWF launches ten point Paris Appeal to EU leaders ahead of budget summit

Source of the article

WWF Appeal for a more sustainable Europe - Open letter to EU leaders

Banks and funds put on notice on Sumatra pulp mill investment risk

President says to promote renewable energy development

Open letter to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission on the Partnership principle in the Common regulation

Harnessing the power of multi-lateral partnerships for trans-boundary conservation

Stronger carbon market would net EU governments over €60 billion

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Targeted support vital to future of renewables

Brussels, Belgium – Targeted financial support policies at EU and Member State level, such as feed-in tariffs, create needed certainty for renewable energy investors, in a way that carbon pricing alone would fail to do, according to a WWF UK report – 'On Picking Winners' – launched today.

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Governments make good progress on marine, slow on finance at Hyderabad biodiversity meet

CLEAN, GREEN, SPENDING IS POSSIBLE

WWF: India's $50 million biodiversity commitment welcome sign of leadership

WWF: Agreement on finance key to success at Hyderabad biodiversity meet

Governments invest too slowly in planet's natural wealth, WWF tells CBD delegates

Official launch of the co funded EU and UNDP Project "Governance, marine resources management policies and poverty reduction in West African Marine Eco Region"

General Affairs Council: No movement on 20% climate action commitment in budget negotiations

Green 10 calls on Finance Ministers not to fund a future CAP that destroys nature

Source of the article

EU LIFE program needs budget increase in line with new Natura 2000 responsibilities

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