WWF - Conservation and environmental news & publications: Malaysia

Long-term solutions needed for conservation of Borneo pygmy elephants

2013-01-30

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – WWF-Malaysia is concerned about the recent pygmy elephant deaths in the Gunung Rara Forest Reserve in Sabah, Malaysia.

"WWF-Malaysia is providing support to the Sabah Wildlife Department and is part of the special taskforce that has been set up by the Department to further investigate the matter. Our patrolling teams worked closely with the Department in unearthing the incident," said WWF-Malaysia Executive Director/CEO, Dato' Dr Dionysius S K Sharma.

According to reports, all the deaths have happened in areas where forests are being converted for plantations within the permanent forest reserves.

"The central forest landscape in Sabah needs to be protected totally from conversions. All conversion approvals need to be reviewed by the Sabah Forestry Department and assessed not purely from commercial but the endangered species and landscape ecology perspectives", Dr Dionysius said.

"Conversions result in fragmentation of the forests, which in turn results in loss of natural habitat for elephant herds, thus forcing them to find alternative food and space, putting humans and wildlife in direct conflict", he added.

Holistic long-term solutions need to be put in place to address and mitigate the problem, Dr Dionysius said.

He said that elephants need to be elevated to a 'totally protected' status under Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment of Sabah, which has been recommended in the Sabah Wildlife Department's Elephant Action Plan 2012-2016, but yet to be implemented.

"Frequent and large scale patrolling is critical to avoid such conflict from happening again. However, given the vast area that requires patrolling, it is a massive task for the Sabah Wildlife Department. More resources, including manpower, hardware and finances, should be allocated for the Department. The existing honorary wildlife warden programme of the Department is doing well and should be expanded," Dr Dionysius said.

The Borneo pygmy elephants are an endangered species. There are approximately 1,200 of these evolutionarily unique elephants in Sabah and all of Borneo. Ten carcasses of the endangered elephants were found dead within the central forests of Sabah which is also a part of the Heart of Borneo.

For more information please contact:

Yeoh Lin Lin, Head of Communications, WWF-Malaysia
Tel: +603-78033772 ext 6400, Email: llyeoh@wwf.org.my

Kimberly Chung, Communications Officer, WWF-Malaysia (Sabah Office)
Tel: +6088 262 420 ext 37, Email: kchung@wwf.org.my

Malaysia ivory seizure biggest ever in country

2012-12-11

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Royal Malaysian Customs have made its largest ever seizure of ivory in transit through the country, finding 1,500 pieces of tusks hidden in wooden crates purpose-built to look like stacks of sawn timber.

The ivory, stashed in ten crates which were divided between two containers, were shipped from the port of Lomé in Togo and were headed to China, the Selangor State Customs Director Dato' Azis Yacub told a press conference today.

The shipment also transited through Algeciras in Spain before it headed for West Port in Port Kelang, one of Peninsular Malaysia's busiest container terminals.

The two containers, declared to be carrying "wooden floor tiles acajou", were held on December 7th and inspected. After removing the top layer of the crates, officers found the ivory in a secret compartment measuring about one metre deep.

A Malaysian company based at the port is being investigated and if convicted, the company could face up to RM500,000 in fines and individuals a maximum of five years in jail, or both.

Togo is known to be a major source of ivory exiting Africa. Although it has never reported any seizures of its own, the country is regularly implicated as the source of ivory seized in other locations.

This is the fourth seizure of African elephant ivory at Port Kelang and the sixth in the country since July 2011. In September 2011, 695 elephant tusks weighing close to two tonnes were seized in Port Kelang and in January this year, another seizure in December 2011 yielded 1.4 tonnes of ivory, and in January this year, a consignment weighing 492 kilogrammes was also seized there, seizures have also were been made in other ports of Penang and Johor.

Concern over Malaysia's role as a transit point for illegal ivory shipments was highlighted at a meeting of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) this July: the country was asked to report on what action it has taken to address the issue.

Azis called on the public to continue providing the department with information that would help it stop more shipments like these. He assured that informants identities would be kept confidential and a financial reward would be paid if the information led to a successful case.

"TRAFFIC commends the customs department on its vigilance and hopes to see it pursue all leads towards finding the criminals that are using Malaysia as a transit point for ivory," said Dr William Schaedla, TRAFFIC's Director in South-East Asia.

"We also urge authorities to ensure proper systems are in place to catalogue and stockpile the seized ivory," Schaedla.

TRAFFIC also encourages all the countries implicated in the seizure to investigate the case thoroughly, so that those behind the shipment can be traced and brought to justice.

Poaching still biggest threat to recovery of world's tiger populations

2012-11-23

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Serious gaps in protection are leaving tigers exposed to poachers, a new WWF study says, but this could be reversed if more investments are made in staff, equipment, and training programs for rangers that are working to protect the scattered populations of the endangered species in the wild.

WWF released the findings today to mark the 2nd anniversary of the historic St. Petersburg Tiger Summit, a high-level meeting hosted by the Russian Government and World Bank that saw 13 tiger range governments pledge to double wild tiger numbers from the current 3,200 to 6,000 plus by 2022 (TX2).

Covering 135 critical areas within the 12 landscapes where WWF currently supports tiger conservation, the survey found many of the sites remain poorly managed and under-resourced and therefore remain highly vulnerable to poachers.

"Poaching continues to be the single-most immediate threat to the survival of the tiger in the wild and also the greatest barrier to achieving the TX2 goal," said Mike Baltzer, leader of WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. "If we don't work as fast as possible towards ending poaching in these places then we cannot trust that these last remaining populations of tigers, and their prey, are safe for longer term recovery of this endangered species."

The survey also shows that the same sites are in danger of becoming "paper parks", i.e.
parks that are legally protected but are not being actively managed and protected on the ground.

Although 90% of the sites surveyed are legally protected, less than half have protection-specific management plans (with the exception of Russia). Across South and Southeast Asia only 12% of sites had the full number of planned staff in place and over 50% were not trained or equipped to an adequate level.

"The report shows that while important government commitments have been made, and much action has been accelerated, we are still far from what is needed to establish the very basics of tiger recovery," Baltzer added.

Moving forward: six ways to increase tiger numbers

The survey examined six key elements related to effective management and protection against poaching: legal protection status, protection management, effective patrolling, intelligence networks, arrests and prosecutions as well as training and resources for field staff.

Investments in these areas are needed to not only achieve Zero Poaching, but to demonstrate to that the commitments made at the Summit are being actively pursued and are evident in the increased efforts to protect tigers. WWF is committed to Zero Poaching and will use the survey results to help identify gaps for future investments.

Global Tiger Recovery Program and Cards4Tigers

The 2010 Tiger Summit, governments also endorsed the Global Tiger Recovery Programme, an amalgamation of national tiger conservation actions and global targets towards meeting the TX2 goal. As a follow-up to the Tiger Summit, government officials met during the 2nd Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation conducted in Bhutan in October 2012, where they committed to taking immediate and specific action over the next year to strengthen protection.

Since the Tiger Summit, WWF has been working with governments, NGOs and private partners to find ways to improve the effectiveness of ranger patrols through the development of law enforcement monitoring systems across Asia, training teams and key stakeholders in the latest methods in patrolling, prevention and conservation. WWF is presently supporting protection field staff and rangers through the Tigers Alive Initiative's "Cards4Tigers"

For more information contact:

Chris Chaplin, Media Relations Manger, WWF International, +86 139 117 474 72, cchaplin@wwf.sg

Global Tiger Day - spare a thought for tiger prey too!

2012-07-29

As tiger range countries today celebrate Global Tiger Day, WWF is urging the governments to raise efforts to work towards Zero Poaching of tiger prey as well as tigers.

With wild tiger numbers as low as 3,200, direct, targeted poaching of tigers is the most immediate danger for the species today. However, a serious contributing factor to the plight of the tiger is the widespread decline of its forest larder – the deer, wild pigs and wild cattle such as the Gaur.

One tiger needs to eat the equivalent of a medium size deer every week to survive and without adequate food, the tiger population declines very fast. Too many forests of Asia are classed as 'empty forests" – the trees are there but the animals are gone. Anti-poaching efforts therefore must be targeted at protecting both the tiger and its prey.

Poachers very often focus on tiger prey rather than tigers themselves. Prey animals are sought by local poachers to supply the local food market. Many of these prey species are also highly endangered and often neglected by conservation efforts. Yet, they can also benefit from the extra protection given to the tiger.

Open publication - Free publishing - More conservation

"Without protecting the tiger's prey from poaching and forest degradation, achieving the target of doubling wild tiger numbers by 2022 is impossible," said Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. "The survival of the prey is key to the survival of the tiger."

Tackling poaching requires high levels of professionally managed security. But if the local community is against the park or the tigers, then the continued efforts of the poachers will overwhelm even the best-trained, motivated rangers who are at the frontline protecting tigers.

A long-term WWF project in southern Thailand, working intensively with the local communities living around Kuiburi National Park, has reduced poaching by four-fold and doubled tiger prey population. The project clearly demonstrates that when local communities are well mobilized, they can be a very powerful and essential force against poaching.

Working towards Zero Poaching requires serious government intervention. The WWF Wildlife Crime Scorecard released on Monday reported that more than 200 tiger carcasses are being seized from illegal trade each year and that most countries were very far from providing protection against poaching and illegal wildlife trade, particularly those countries like China and Vietnam, where illegal traders know there is a strong demand for tiger-based products.

WWF is today releasing a short film "Confessions of an ex-poacher" that highlights the destructive trade. Interviews with two former poachers turned tiger protectors give insights into this illicit world that drives forests to become lucrative hunting grounds for poachers and making tigers their livelihoods. The film also discusses steps needed to stem out poaching in the heartland areas of forests where tigers breed. One of these is to provide those at the frontlines protecting tigers – rangers, protected area officials and local communities – with the right tools to eradicate poaching.

Local communities and protected area staff, particularly rangers or specialized enforcement officers, are the frontline against poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Rangers put their life on the line everyday to keep wild tigers and their prey safe. They are critical in achieving Zero Poaching, yet are not always fully appreciated for their important role. WWF will be launching a special action on International Rangers Day on 31 July to honour these unsung heroes.

Elsewhere, WWF offices in tiger range countries are also joining governments and civil society in a range of Global Tiger Day celebratory events.

Bhutan: A special community event will be held in line with the theme of this year's Global Tiger Day – "Tiger and community co-existing in harmony for mutual survival". It will be held in Trongsa in central Bhutan, with a community that has been working on tiger conservation. There will be a skid presented by the community and a poster competition for students.

China: WWF will launch a pilot deer reintroduction programme in Wangqing Nature Reserve in northeast China, at a site where tracks of both the Amur tiger and the Amur leopard have been discovered frequently. This is part of a bigger tiger conservation programme aimed at recovering tiger prey density and restoring the habitat. A special launch ceremony will be held with officials, representatives from partner organizations and media in attendance.

Nepal: A series of public service announcements will be launched to promote awareness of the need to stop wildlife trade. There will also be a formal declaration of the results of the tiger count conducted in Bardia National Park earlier in the year. WWF will also hold an art competition for students in the Terai Arc region.

For further information:

Soh-Koon Chng, WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, +65 9772 2552, skchng@wwf.org.my

Solomon Islands at centre of "captive breeding" shenanigans

2012-07-16

Singapore — Tens of thousands of wild birds exported from the Solomon Islands have been laundered into the global wildlife trade by declaring them as captive-bred, a new TRAFFIC study has found.

Between 2000 and 2010, more than 54,000 birds, mainly parrots and cockatoos, were imported from the Solomon Islands and declared as captive bred. Yet local authorities confirmed to TRAFFIC that the Solomon Islands is not known to have substantial bird breeding facilities and registered bird breeders in the islands primarily use their facilities as holding sites for wild-caught birds bound for export.

All the birds were of species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), which restricts trade in wild-caught individuals, but has less stringent rules if they are captive-bred.

Native species exported included 18,444 Yellow-bibbed Lories, 15,994 Solomons Cockatoos, 8,050 Eclectus Parrots, 5,803 Cardinal Lories and 4,957 Rainbow Lorikeets. 12,820 of these birds were declared as wild-caught and 40,428 were reportedly captive-bred.

"Declaring exported birds as being captive-bred has all the hallmarks of a scam to get around international trade regulations," said Chris R. Shepherd, Deputy Regional Director of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia and an author of the new report.

More than 13,000 non-native birds, mostly species naturally occurring in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, were exported, yet no export records exist that could explain how any stock for captive-breeding operations had reached the Solomon Islands.

They included Critically Endangered Yellow-crested Cockatoos, which cannot be commercially traded under CITES regulations even if captive-bred, plus other threatened parrots, such as Pesquet's Parrot, Chattering Lory, Blue-eyed Cockatoo and White Cockatoo, all claimed to be captive-bred.

Even more extraordinary was the claim that in 2005, 76 birds-of-paradise of seven species, including the threatened Blue Bird-of-paradise, were captive-bred in the Solomon Islands. Birds-of-paradise are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, and only a few specialized centres have ever succeeded. No records of birds-of-paradise being imported into the Solomon Islands exist.

In August 2006, the Solomon Islands government suspended trade in the country's native wildlife, to allow new legislation to be drafted. Although bird exports have fallen sharply since, expired permits are revalidated to allow existing stock possessed by traders to be exported, creating an obvious loophole for the captive-breeding scam to continue.

Over the past decade, Singapore and Malaysia combined have accounted for 93% of all birds imported from the Solomon Islands, with significant numbers being re-exported, especially to Taiwan.

Because of concerns over the trade, Malaysia has suspended bird imports from the Solomon Islands. Now TRAFFIC considers Singapore should do the same.

"Singapore should follow Malaysia's lead in suspending bird imports, not only from the Solomon Islands but anywhere else if there is a lack of clarity as to their legal origin," said Shepherd.

The report recommends an investigation into captive breeding operations in the Solomon Islands is carried out through CITES processes. If irregularities are found, CITES ultimately has the authority to suspend all trade in CITES-listed species from the island archipelago.

Later this month, a CITES meeting takes place in Switzerland, where a report into the use of captive-breeding to circumvent CITES trade regulations is on the agenda for discussion.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Thomas, TRAFFIC International, tel. +44 1223 651782, +44 7526646216, email: richard.thomas@traffic.org

Gillard Government Rio+20 oceans announcement a welcome investment in protection for Coral Triangle and Pacific

2012-06-25

WWF-Australia today applauded the Australian Government for committing an additional $8 million towards the Coral Triangle Initiative and up to $25 million to the Pacific Oceanscape Framework.

The extra funding, announced by Prime Minister Gillard at the Rio+20 summit, will assist countries across the Asia Pacific to improve the management of their oceans and coast.

WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O'Gorman said the announcement was a welcome investment in the region.

"Last week's commitment to a national system of marine protected areas set an important example to the world," Mr O'Gorman said.

"This further announcement is a serious commitment from Australia to support the goals of the Rio+20 meeting and help re-focus the world's attention on the health of our oceans, and the need to invest in their conservation."

"Australia has developed world-class marine science and management expertise over many years and we hope this announcement will enable a greater sharing of that knowledge with our region.

"WWF further hopes that the vital role that the health of marine and coastal ecosystems play in supporting the livelihoods of billions of people around the world and hundreds of millions in our region is recognised strongly in the Rio +20 meeting."

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security was formed in 2009 by the six Coral Triangle governments. WWF is one of seven Development Partners that provide ongoing support to the Initiative.

Located in the waters off the coasts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste, the Coral Triangle is the world's marine life hotspot. It contains the highest diversity of iridescent corals, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and marine plant species on Earth.

The Pacific Oceanscape Framework aims to protect, manage, maintain and sustain the cultural and natural integrity of the Pacific Islands Ocean Region.

Green economy approach shows hope for Borneo amidst floundering Rio+20 talks

2012-06-21

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – As world leaders meet amidst a gloomy forecast for a meaningful outcome of the Rio+20 Earth Summit this week, WWF is releasing a green economy report at the biggest-ever UN event that offers sustainability solutions for our ailing planet.

The Heart of Borneo (HoB): Investing in Nature for a Green Economy Report is a practical regional guide on how future economic growth can be achieved while protecting the values of ecosystems and biodiversity of the Heart of Borneo - a 220,000km2 treasure trove of unique and often endangered animal and plants species, on the world's third biggest island.

Produced by WWF and a consortium of partners, the report highlights environmental costs and forgone revenues in the current economy and shows how valuing 'natural capital' supports the long-term stability and development of local economies in Borneo.

"The HoB's natural capital is of tremendous social and economic value - but if we continue to fail to recognize its worth, both people and the environment they depend on will suffer," said WWF Director General Jim Leape.
"This report finds that valuing natural capital can pave the way to strong local economies, as well as deliver on the growth, climate change and sustainability priorities in the region," he added.

Making business more sustainable

The report highlights the current unsustainable practices of the forestry, palm oil and mining sectors in Borneo and shows that the erosion of natural capital leads to a corresponding loss of long-term economic viability and social welfare.

"These sectors are vital to Borneo's economy, but must embed sustainability within their practices to remain engines of growth in the future, " said Adam Tomasek, Leader of WWF's Heart of Borneo Initiative.

Economic modelling in the report shows that under a Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario, the environmental costs of economic growth could outweigh revenues from the use of natural resources as soon as 2020.

"Globally we're seeing how the mismanagement of the world's financial capital causes long-term damage to nations. The same will be true in Borneo if we continue to mismanage our natural capital – only the damage will be measured in 'generations of suffering'," Mr Tomasek said.

"The irony of this is that unlike the financial crisis where the austerity packages imposed have been seen to be unacceptably severe, especially on the poor – a shift to value natural capital could actually improve the life of poor and vulnerable people in Borneo."

Investing in Nature reveals two choices for the use of the immense wealth of natural capital in the Heart of Borneo: squandering it or keeping it in the bank, which would allow many generations to live off the 'interest' forever, in the form of the sustainable goods and services. It identifies that the key enabling condition is the shift to an economic infrastructure where fiscal policies and subsidy allocations favor sustainable practices and maintenance of ecosystem services.

Rio +20 Summit

The Heart of Borneo: Investing in Nature for a Green Economy report will be released on June 20th by WWF International Director General, Jim Leape, to coincide with a high-level event hosted by Indonesia's President Yudhoyono. The President of Guyana and Prime Minister of Norway, as well as the office of the UN Secretary General, Ministers and senior officials will be in attendance.

The findings and recommendations of the report are featured in several events during the Rio+20 Summit. The accompanying website, www.hobgreeneconomy.org, provides a window to the world for the green development activities in the HoB.

"The report shows how Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia can continue to work together across borders to develop and implement a green economy aspiration. By investing in nature, they can clearly show how to deliver on the Rio+20 vision of 'the future we want" said Jim Leape.

For further information contact:

Adam Tomasek, Leader, Heart of Borneo InitiativeTel: +62 21 7829461 ext. 503, Mob: +62 811 9917855, e-mail: atomasek@wwf.or.id

For interviews in Rio contact:

Chris Chaplin, WWF International, +65 9826 3802, cchaplin@wwf.sg

For all other queries:

Chris Greenwood, International Communications Manager, Heart of Borneo Initiative, Mob: +60 128281214, E-mail: cgreenwood@wwf.org.my

Big investments needed in Asia-Pacific's dwindling natural capital

2012-06-05

Manila, Philippines – Booming economic development and per-capita consumption across the Asia-Pacific region is burning up more natural resources than are available, placing enormous pressure on the region's already heavily taxed forests, rivers and oceans, says a new WWF report on the value of Asia's natural capital.

Produced in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the Pacific report – a regional perspective on elements of the recently-released Living Planet Report – focuses on attainable methods of preserving key regional ecosystems including the unique forests of Borneo, the marine wealth of the Coral Triangle, the Mekong region's diverse habitats, as well as the mountainous Eastern Himalayas.

Open publication

"Across the Asia-Pacific region, the gap between human demand for natural resources and the environment's ability to replenish those resources is widening," said WWF's Director General Jim Leape. "In 2008, the natural resources available per person, in places as diverse as the Eastern Himalayas and Mekong river basin, shrunk by about two thirds compared to 1970. Tragically, the rate of species loss was about twice the global average over this period," he added.

The new report uses the Living Planet Index (LPI) to measure changes in the health of ecosystems across the Asia-Pacific region. The global index fell by 28 per cent from 1970 and 2008, while the Indo-Pacific region saw a shocking 64 per cent decline in key populations of species over the same period.

"The Indo-Pacific realm has undergone the most rapid economic and demographic transition of any region in the world since 1970," said Jonathan Loh from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the organization that keeps track of the index. "Across most of tropical Asia and the Pacific, the population grew from about 1.2 billion to 2.6 billion, which is alone enough to double the pressures placed on the area's natural resources. Coupled with the dramatic increase in per capita consumption across the entire Asia-Pacific region, it becomes clear that reversing this downward trend needs systemic changes to our economies and the way we produce and consume natural resources," he added.

Asia's biggest footprints: the individual and the nation

Australia, Singapore, Mongolia, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand and China round out the top 10 Ecological Footprints per capita in the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia-Pacific residents still consume on average close to 60 per cent less than the global average of over one and half planets per person, but major disparities exist. The per-capita Ecological Footprint of Australia, for example, is the highest in the region – 14 times larger than Timor-Leste.

From a national level, China has the largest footprint of all the countries of Asia and the Pacific, due to its large population. China and India, the report says, are likely to experience the greatest increase in overall Ecological Footprint by 2015, representing 37 per cent of the projected global footprint.

"Over the next 20 years, hundreds of millions of new consumers will be added to those already living in Asia and the Pacific today – driving up demand for energy, food, metals, and water," said Jim Leape. "We need to create mechanisms that make protecting those resources the right economic choice for the communities that use and depend on them."

Regional solutions for the health of the planet

The Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the Pacific report outlines four key solutions that are working to reverse the declining Living Planet Index in four major regions: the Heart of Borneo, the Coral Triangle, the Greater Mekong sub-region and the Eastern Himalayas. All of these areas are extremely important as they provide millions of people with food, water and energy – and harbour countless valuable species of plants and animals.

Policies that recognize the importance of the environment early on in the planning process is one part of the equation, says the report, as are well-funded and monitored marine and terrestrial protected areas. Payment for ecosystem services under programmes such as REDD also play an important role, as do private-sector sustainability initiatives. For example, many businesses in the region are already showing how sustainably produced commodities – including cotton, soy, palm oil, fish and timber – bring big gains for people and also the environment.

"We must move toward deeper structural and systemic change in the way goods are manufactured and services provided," said ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda. "The green economy itself can become an engine of growth and the driver for a new generation of green jobs—bringing a higher quality of life."

Rio+20

Released on World Environment Day and only three weeks before the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Ecological Footprint and Investment in Natural Capital in Asia and the Pacific report presents a solution-oriented look at what leaders attending the Earth Summit need to focus on most – reconfirming their commitment to creating a sustainable future.

"The challenges presented in the Asia-Pacific footprint report show us that we are living beyond our means. But it also clearly identifies attainable solutions that build on the strength of partnerships at local, regional and international levels," said Leape. "Rio+20 offers governments, businesses and civil society a unique opportunity to develop even more innovative solutions to ensuring we preserve the natural wealth of our planet," he added.

ADB and WWF have worked in partnership since 2001 on mainstreaming environment in development and supporting the countries of Asia and the Pacific in conserving their natural capital.

Tiger recovery efforts progressing, urgent action still needed to fight poaching

2012-05-17

New Delhi, India – Tiger range countries in their first meeting to review efforts on doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022, reported significant progress, but recognized that urgent and elevated action is still needed to halt poaching.

"Steady progress is being made towards meeting the goal of doubling wild tiger numbers," said Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. "But tiger range governments must urgently and seriously step up action to eliminate poaching if they do not want their investments to go to waste."

In November 2010 at the "Tiger Summit" in St. Petersburg hosted by the Government of Russia and the World Bank, the 13 Tiger Range Governments and partners committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022 (TX2). They presented the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP), which represents the plans towards meeting this goal.

The meeting in New Delhi, held from 15-17 May 2012, was the first time since the Tiger Summit that senior government officials from all 13 countries have met to review progress on implementation of the GTRP and plan the next steps.

Before the meeting, WWF released results of a preliminary assessment of 63 legally protected areas in seven tiger range countries that showed only 22, or 35%, maintain WWF's minimum standards of protection. This indicated that tigers in most of the protected areas are still very vulnerable to poaching.

Poaching of tigers, to feed consumer demand for their body parts and products, is now the main factor reversing the gains made by governments, donors and other partners working towards the 2022 goal. Nearly all tiger range countries spoke of the poaching problem and efforts they are taking on the ground to tackle it. These include strengthening capacity and introducing new, innovative law enforcement monitoring tools, such as M-STrIPES and SMART, to better manage protected areas with tigers. They also considered new approaches to reduce consumer demand for tiger derivatives.

"We are pleased that the approaches we recommended on demand reduction are being considered to support implementation of the GTRP," said Sabri Zain, Director of Advocacy and Campaigns, TRAFFIC International. "It is critical that we implement new approaches to changing consumer behaviour if we are to successfully stem out poaching in the long run and therefore in achieving TX2."

During the meeting, TRAFFIC also presented new figures from its latest research into the rising number of tiger part seizures taking place in Asia. With 53 seizures occurring each year, levels remain high. The analysis also identified persistent tiger trade hot-spots such as Kathmandu, Hanoi and the Russia/Northeast China border. It is essential that a tiger trade monitoring system be established as information such as this can assist enforcement efforts in the field where it is most needed.

In a sign indicating tiger range countries are increasingly working together to save the tiger across their borders, the meeting witnessed the signing of a bilateral agreement on trans-border cooperation between India and Nepal and another between India and Russia.

''This gathering of tiger range states shows that the momentum to save tigers is indeed building, but the pressure on the species continues," said Ravi Singh, Secretary-General and CEO, WWF-India. "Coordinated anti-poaching measures across tiger range states are called for. These need to be scaled up and implemented urgently to achieve zero poaching."

WWF is supporting tiger range countries in their enforcement efforts through both training and helping to develop computer-based, law enforcement monitoring systems. It has also identified three actions tiger range governments can take immediately to launch an elevated operation towards Zero Poaching. These include identifying and delineating the most important sites requiring good protection from poaching, and ensuring these sites have sufficient numbers of enforcement staff who are well trained to monitor and improve their effectiveness by using monitoring systems. WWF also suggests that the police and judiciary need to help to ensure strict punishment on poaching and to actively engage local communities living adjacent to important tiger conservation areas.

For further information:

Soh-Koon Chng, WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, +65 9772 2552, skchng@wwf.org.my

Aarti Khosla, WWF-India, +91-98111-99288, akhosla@wwfndia.net

Dilpreet B. Chhabra, TRAFFIC India, +91-98990-00472, dchhabra@wwfindia.net

WWF and partners celebrate Coral Triangle Day on June 9

2012-05-16

WWF and its partners are celebrating the first-ever Coral Triangle Day on June 9 at several locations around the Coral Triangle region to highlight the importance of marine conservation and to raise awareness on this global center of marine biodiversity.

An interpretation of World Oceans Day in this part of the world, the Coral Triangle Day brings together individuals, organizations, and establishments from different parts of the region on one special day to celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of this region and to promote the importance of oceans through varied activities including: beach clean-ups; sustainable seafood dinners; educational exhibitions; marine-themed bazaars; and beach parties.

"WWF, along with its partners are encouraging everyone to do one special thing, no matter how small, that will contribute to saving the Coral Triangle and let the world know how we care about it by sharing it on the Coral Triangle online platform www.thecoraltriangle.com/day," says Dr Lida Pet-Soede, WWF Coral Triangle Programme Leader.

The Coral Triangle is a six million square-kilometer ocean expanse that contains the highest number of reef building corals on the planet. Its spectacular coral reefs systems are home to thousands of whales, dolphins, rays, sharks, and six of the world's seven species of marine turtles.

Spanning across six countries in Asia and the Pacific including Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Solomon Islands, the Coral Triangle is also a nursery ground for highly valuable tuna species and much sought-after reef fish species. It directly sustains the lives of more than 120 million people who heavily depend on marine resources for food and income.

However, coastal development, destructive fishing, overfishing, unsustainable tourism, the illegal harvest and trade of endangered species, and climate change, among many others, are taking a heavy toll on this fragile marine ecosystem.

The Coral Triangle Day, envisioned to be an annual, open-sourced event, hopes to empower individuals to take specific action to help protect and conserve this globally-significant marine ecoregion.

"This unprecedented event aims to build a critical mass of supporters for the Coral Triangle on different levels of society by using a fun and exciting way for people in this part of the world to learn more about the significance of oceans," adds Pet-Soede.

Individuals, organizations, and establishments celebrating the Coral Triangle Day are encouraged to post their videos or photos on www.thecoraltriangle.com/day to show the world what they are doing for the oceans during this day and to help create a truly regional community of Coral Triangle supporters.

For more information on the Coral Triangle, visit www.thecoraltriangle.com. For more information on the Coral Triangle Day, visit www.thecoraltriangle.com/day

For further information:
Paolo P. Mangahas, Communications Manager, WWF Coral Triangle Programme, +603 7803 3772, pmangahas@wwf.org.my

Wild tigers remain vulnerable to poaching in most protected areas

2012-05-12

A recent preliminary assessment of 63 legally protected areas in seven tiger range countries shows that only 22, or 35%, maintain WWF's minimum standards of protection. This indicates that the areas set up to protect tigers and other threatened species are not necessarily the refuge they are designed to be, says WWF.

"Poaching is the most immediate threat to tigers and protected areas are the first line of defence against poaching," says Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. "If this preliminary assessment reflects the full situation on-the-ground, then protected areas are not functioning as an effective safe haven for tigers. Without places tigers can be safer from poaching, there is no hope to meet the target of more than 6,000 tigers by 2022."

In November 2010 at the "Tiger Summit" in St. Petersburg hosted by the Government of Russia and the World Bank, the 13 Tiger Range Governments and partners committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022. From 15-17 May 2012, they will meet again to assess progress and plan the next steps.

Poaching of tigers, to meet consumer demand for their body parts and products, is now the main factor reversing the gains made by governments, donors and other partners working towards the 2022 goal. The meeting in New Delhi next week provides a perfect opportunity for the 13 countries to immediately launch an elevated operation to improve the protection of sites critical to tigers and take deliberate action towards Zero Poaching.

WWF's internal preliminary assessment covered 84 locations, 63 of which are legally protected areas, in seven of the 12 countries where WWF currently works on tiger conservation. Scientists, researchers and managers working in the field, have determined these sites to be critical for wild tiger population growth.

Each site was evaluated on three critical factors for protecting tigers: the number of protected area staff, the use of law enforcement monitoring tools, and whether the park was officially protected by law. Data for the assessment was collected from published sources and through a survey of WWF field staff and managers of the sites wherever available.

Results from the assessment showed that staff and WWF field personnel from 41 of the 63 protected areas, or 65%, feel there are not enough staff to protect those areas and achieve Zero Poaching. One example is Malaysia's Royal Belum State Park, critical for the survival of the Malayan tiger and where considerable poaching activity has been documented. Although occupying an area of over 1,000 km2, the park only has 17 enforcement staff. In contrast, protected areas such as Kaziranga National Park in India, with approximately 800 enforcement staff for about 860 km2, have been able to stem poaching activity. In Nepal, 2011 was recently celebrated as a Zero Poaching year for rhinos, which was largely attributed to the increase of range posts across several protected areas from 7 to 51.

The assessment also indicated that only 18 of the protected areas surveyed, or 29%, are currently using computer-based, law enforcement monitoring systems to help them manage their sites more effectively; the majority still rely on manual analysis. The number using computer technology should increase as two new systems, MSTrIPES and SMART, are rolled out in many protected areas in the next few months.

"Clearly, a large number of areas important for tigers urgently need increased investment in protection and enforcement," said Mr. Craig Bruce, WWF's expert on enforcement and protection of wild tigers. "Tiger range governments should immediately and dramatically increase their commitment and investment in securing these sites. They should ensure there are sufficient, effective and dedicated enforcement teams on the ground, working towards Zero Poaching."

WWF has identified three actions tiger range governments can take immediately to launch an elevated operation towards Zero Poaching. These include identifying and delineating the most important sites requiring good protection from poaching, and ensuring these sites have sufficient numbers of enforcement staff who are well trained to monitor and improve their effectiveness by using monitoring systems. WWF also suggests that the police and judiciary need to help to ensure strict punishment on poaching and to actively engage local communities living adjacent to important tiger conservation areas.

For further information:

Soh-Koon Chng, Tigers Alive Initiative, +65 9772 2552, skchng@wwf.org.my

Poor environmental performance seen as risk in palm oil investment

2012-04-29

Singapore - Environmental and social impacts of palm oil plantations could pose a material risk to investment in the fast growing sector, according to an investor survey released by WWF to a recent high-level meeting of investors and producers.

WWF's first-of-its-kind Palm Oil Investor Review 2012 underlines how growing concern over deforestation, biodiversity loss and community conflict could impact the industry and shows the intensifying spotlight being placed by investors on the sustainability of the palm oil industry.

More than 50 million tonnes of palm oil are used worldwide each year in everyday products including food and cosmetics. From 2010 to 2020, this volume is projected to increase by over 65%. The growing demand for palm oil has resulted in rapid and poorly managed expansion of production, causing deforestation, species loss, greenhouse gas emissions and social conflicts with local communities.

"Investors are increasingly aware of the strong link between sustainability and long term investment success," said WWF's Jeanne Stampe, co-author of the report. "Investee companies that integrate sustainability into the core strategy and operations are better able to mitigate risks and exploit opportunities, thereby deriving business benefits and delivering better investment performance."

WWF surveyed 35 key palm oil sector investors to assess their views and management of the sustainability challenges inherent in the palm oil industry.

Nearly two thirds of the investors surveyed are experiencing increasing demand for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) screens from their institutional clients and this is magnifying their focus on ESG issues. Even passive investors such as index funds are starting to show interest in new ESG overlays.

While a larger majority of investors (69%) already apply a responsible investment policy, many of these policies do not extend beyond governance, however over 50% of investors would consider creating dedicated policies e.g. a broader sustainable land-use policy.

Investors do face internal organizational constraints in addressing ESG risks such as the lack of internal ESG capabilities or firm-wide access to internal ESG analysts, but several are actively looking at internal strategic options to address these constraints, for example formulating centralised ESG risk functions and boosting internal ESG analyst teams.

"The palm oil sector presents an attractive growth proposition for investors, but ESG issues and the lack of company disclosure still cloud the ability of many to invest," said Stampe.

According to investors, reputational risk, poor environmental performance and lack of company ESG disclosure pose the greatest challenges to greater investment into the sector and the key factors to overcome these are availability of key data, the strengthening of the RSPO, demonstrable progress by its members toward certification and legislative changes that support the RSPO.

Investors see the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) as the most influential initiative and the de facto standard for investment screens, but want it to cover more issues such as corruption and have "more teeth", to ensure that members make and meet their commitments towards sustainable palm oil.

WWF support

WWF sees the financial sector as an important driver of sustainable palm oil production and trade. "Investors are uniquely placed to influence investee companies to adopt sustainable practices through active engagement and exercise of proxy voting rights, and through directing their investment capital towards sustainable palm oil producers," said Stampe.

The report provides in-depth recommendations to assist investors to overcome some of these challenges so as to maximise their ability to guide the industry. WWF will continue to support the financial sector by providing information and guidance through tools, research updates, and workshops with finance sector partners.

"If we all – investors, the RSPO and stakeholders such as WWF – work together, we can ensure that the palm oil industry expands in a sustainable way, so that long-term investment returns are enhanced and emerging economies benefit from sustainable development." said Jeanne Stampe.

For further information:

Chris Chaplin - Media Officer Asia Pacific, WWF International,
+86 10 6511 6272, Mobile: +86 13911747472, cchaplin@wwf.sg

Governments should stop poachers stealing gains made in tiger conservation

2012-04-23

A month ahead of a senior government officials' meeting, WWF is calling on tiger range countries to take steps to stop poachers stealing the gains made by the governments towards their goal to double the number of tigers in the wild.

"There is little hope of doubling the number of wild tigers if every conservation gain made by each of the countries is undermined by poachers every day," said Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. "Serious actions, not only simple commitments, to end poaching are the first vital step towards wild tiger population recovery and meeting the goal of doubling wild tiger numbers by 2022."

From 15-17 May 2012, senior government officials will meet for the first time to take stock of actions taken since the Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg in 2010, when all 13 tiger range countries committed to doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022. The meeting will review progress of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP) implementation and discuss directions for priority actions in the next two years. It will also review mechanisms for effective collaboration and targets for further resource mobilization at international and country levels.

WWF will also be addressing the illicit trade in tiger parts, with WWF's wildlife trade programme TRAFFIC presenting the most recent analysis of tiger parts seizures in Asia, as well as a strategic framework for reducing consumer demand for tigers and other endangered species.

New Delhi meeting opportunity for action

The stocktaking meeting in New Delhi provides a perfect opportunity to launch a joint elevated action against poaching and send a clear message to the world that this is one target the tiger range countries intend not to miss.

Poaching is still the main cause of the tiger's decline and the greatest barrier to achieving the goal of doubling wild tiger numbers. Reports of illegal tiger trade and smuggling in the past months have shown that poaching is still a crime without serious deterrents. In the first three months of this year alone, official records from India reported two tigers poached while an additional three seizures of tiger body parts were made. These tiger parts were almost certainly derived from poaching. The number of tigers killed due to poaching may be higher as it is often very hard to detect actual poaching events. India is the only tiger range country to systematically monitor tiger deaths and make this publicly available online at www.tigernet.nic.in.

During the same period, there were also reports of arrests of persons caught in possession of tiger parts in India and the other tiger range countries, namely China, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. In Indonesia, a Sumatran tiger died a few days after it was rescued from the forest, with wounds obtained from a hunter's trap.

"Poachers are profiting at the expense of the tiger range governments," said Mr. Baltzer. "Putting an end to poaching would ensure that the investments of the governments and donors do not simply become financial gains for the poachers and tiger traders."

FIve step plan to fight poaching

WWF has come up with five steps tiger range countries can take immediately to launch a joint operation towards Zero Poaching. These include identifying and delineating the most important sites requiring good protection from poaching, ensuring these sites have sufficient, effective and dedicated enforcement teams, working with police and judiciary to ensure strict punishment on poaching, and actively engaging local communities living adjacent to the important areas in tiger conservation.

"Every single poaching incidence must be taken seriously and understood as a major setback on the road to wild tiger recovery," said Mr. Craig Bruce, WWF's expert on enforcement and protection of wild tigers. "The governments should launch an immediate and direct response to poaching. This will send a strong message to the poachers and the wider public that the governments are very serious in their efforts to protect tigers."

WWF will be sending each government a short document ahead of the meeting describing some of the actions that can be launched immediately to make a serious challenge against poaching and which could form the basis of a joint operation by the tiger range countries.

For further information:
Soh-Koon Chng, +65 97722552, skchng@wwf.org.my

Heart of Borneo beating strong on fifth anniversary

2012-02-11

Jakarta, Indonesia - A new report released by WWF to commemorate the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Declaration's 5th anniversary shines a positive light on the environmental status of this iconic 220,000 km2 landscape.

The Heart of Borneo Declaration, signed five years ago on February 12, 2007, committed the governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to the conserve and sustainably develop the 22 million hectare 'Heart of Borneo'.

However until now, there was no baseline data from which to assess the environmental status of the region or monitor changes over time. That is about to change with a new report produced in consultation with a wide range of specialists and scientists who have been working on Borneo ecology for many years.

The new report: The Environmental Status of the Heart of Borneo, analyses the environmental health of the area via 13 key targets and more than 50 indicators. The targets include endangered animal species, such as the orang-utans, rhino and pygmy elephant and a selection of ecosystems such as lowland, heath and montane forests and river systems. Each key target has been given a rating of very good, good, fair or poor – depending on its current quality within the Heart of Borneo (HoB).

The good news
The good news overall, is that most forest types in the HoB are currently rated as good or very good. This is particularly important for lowland forest which is under severe threat across the rest of the island of Borneo. In fact, given that lowland forest is prime habitat for Pygmy elephant, orang-utan and Rhino, the HoB may be the last stronghold for the preservation of this type of forest on Borneo.

The bad news
The bad news is that the HoB still remains under serious threat from industrial conversion of natural forest to palm oil and other agricultural crops, as well as illegal logging and unsustainable rates of legal timber extraction. Forest fire, mining and over hunting of wildlife are also major threats which future versions of this report will serve to monitor.

The report was released by WWF's Heart of Borneo Initiative. Its team leader, Adam Tomasek, highlighted the significance of the report.

"For the first time the environmental health of the HoB has been assessed using a series of scientifically derived biological and ecosystem indicators and the results have indicated the HoB is currently in good health," he said.

"Just as importantly, now for the first time, the three HoB governments and key stakeholders will have a credible and easy to use tool to monitor progress in terms of improvements or degradation in key natural health measures for the HoB. It is a management tool which can be used to improve decision making on the sustainable use and conservation of this globally iconic landscape," he said.

WWF encourages the three governments of Borneo to use the report to raise awareness of the high conservation values of the HoB and the major threats to its continued survival as an area of globally significant biodiversity.

The report was written by WWF Indonesia's field biologist, Stephen Wulffraat with funding from the Sall Family Foundation via WWF US.

Palm oil industry shifts gears, commits to market transformation

2011-11-24

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – The 9th annual Meeting of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) concluded today with a vote at the General Assembly (GA) where most RSPO members present supported a new vision for the organization – to transform the palm industry into one where sustainability becomes an everyday practice for all.

To date RSPO members have produced over 5.2 milion tonnes of palm oil certified to strict standards that help ensure that forests, species and communities are not harmed by palm oil production.

"The entire value chain needs to be part of the solution and not the problem," said Adam Harrison, Senior Policy Officer for WWF UK and WWF's representative on the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Executive Board. "The RSPO has moved from just certifying growers to transforming the whole industry, which says to me that the organization is growing up and is starting to deliver on the ambition it set for itself. Nevertheless, in order for the RSPO to deliver on this transformation, companies along the entire value chain need to be more transparent and take control of the oil palm they are producing, trading, using and selling."

More transparency, better traceability

According to WWF, one of the major hurdles facing the future of CSPO is the industry's overall lack transparency and limited efforts to implement proper traceability. The WWF's Palm Oil Buyers' Scorecard 2011, which was released in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday, identified both of these as major challenges, saying that the lack of collective will to solve these problems is risks becoming a major disincentive to further certification.

WWF says that buyers of CSPO need to take control of their supply chains and declare how much certified sustainable palm oil they are using. This would provide growers with the reassurance they need to say in business, and show consumers that they are serious about their commitments and acting responsibly.

Transforming the market also requires strong support from traders, who wield considerable influence. Traders must ensure the traceability of the palm oil they are buying and supplying to their customers, which could act as a major catalyst for future market growth and offer the assurances currently lacking along the supply chain.

Meanwhile, growers would benefit from increased transparency and better traceability by gaining a stronger sense confidence, more control over their management units, and an overall increase of returns on their commitment to providing certified sustainable palm oil.

Palm oil industry shows resolve in addressing climate change

Another key recommendation that emerged at the 3-day meet was that the RSPO's Principals & Criteria should include a 0 net carbon emission clause, setting a new benchmark for companies that aim to produce palm oil in a responsible manner.  

"Reducing greenhouse gases is a huge challenge facing the industry in the region, and it is a very welcome sign that the RSPO has reached consensus on how to tackle GHGs and made a recommendation to change the organization's standards to accommodate this critical issue," said Irwan Gunawan, WWF Indonesia's Corporate Engagement Manager.

***

Update: The RSPO has announced that due to insufficient quorum, eligible members that could not attend the General Assembly are expected to cast their ballots via email:

On November 24th 2011, the 8th General Assembly for the RSPO Members was held at Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu. Due to the insufficient quorum (50% of the total Ordinary Membership required: 549 in total), the 224 attending members voted that the following procedure be adopted:

    1.           I.          A balloting/voting process by the attending members of all the resolutions proposed
    2.         II.          Thereafter, an email will be circulated to all eligible members who could not attend the General assembly, to cast their ballot on the individual resolutions.
    3.        III.          All votes received via email will be reconciled with those that were cast during the GA8 and all members will be informed on the final results which will also be published on the website.

No specific timeline was given for the results of the final vote.

For more information, please visit http://www.rspo.org/?q=content/announcement-8th-general-assembly-24th-november-2011

Tiger Summit anniversary elicits WWF call for elevated action to end poaching

2011-11-23

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - One year after the landmark international meeting aimed at saving the tiger from extinction, the growing energy, effort and collaboration between governments, NGOs and communities now needs to be focused on putting an end to tiger poaching, the most immediate cause of the tiger's decline and the greatest barrier to achieving the goal of doubling the number of tigers in the wild by 2022.

The will shown by the leaders of the tiger range governments at the Tiger Summit now needs to be aimed at solving the problem of poaching. While many other components of the plan launched at the Summit are more complicated, putting an end to poaching of the last remaining populations of tigers and their prey requires direct action to make national parks, protected areas and tiger reserves effective refuges for tigers against poachers.

Tiger Summit

The International Tiger Forum, aka the Tiger Summit, hosted by Russian Prime Minister Putin in St. Petersburg and attended by world leaders a year ago, set out an ambitious agenda of reversing the downturn. The Summit's main outcome was an agreement to double tiger numbers by 2022 (Tx2) through the Global Tiger Recovery Programme, a document endorsed by all 13 of the countries that currently have wild tiger populations.

"Last November marked a milestone in the race to save the tiger from disappearing in the very near future," stated Mike Baltzer, Leader of WWF's Tigers Alive Initiative. "While the governments' energy and commitment is to be commended, the main cause of the decline, poaching, continues to devastate tiger numbers, and is an issue we must address with renewed vigour. Without an end to poaching, we will never get on the path of recovery. We need an elevation of action aimed directly towards zero poaching now if we are to reach the goal of doubling the number of tigers".

Lack of serious anti-poaching deterrents

Recent high profile stories demonstrate that poaching is still a crime without serious deterrents. In October on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a tiger trader caught with a skin he intended to sell received only a small fine and less than half the maximum prison sentence allowable under law after being convicted. Just a few weeks later in China, an Amur (Siberian) tiger, already a rare presence in country's border with the Russian Far East, was killed after being caught in an illegal snare.

"These incidences highlight the tiger's still precarious position, and the first step is to stop tiger killings at their source," said Craig Bruce, Protected Area and Enforcement Specialist for the WWF Tigers Alive Initiative. "Many of the protected areas that we rely on to provide refuge to tigers are poorly managed and poorly resourced. A very simple and immediate strategy is to ensure that these areas provide the refuge for which they were created. Improving their management is the most straightforward part of tiger conservation, but it requires the will of the tiger countries."

WWF calls for concrete action to build the capacity of the rangers, officials and local communities that are putting their lives on the line every day protecting tigers.

"Ideally we need to have a complete end to poaching," said Baltzer. "Criminal networks are feasting off these amazing natural assets and icons of the wild, and with their killing methods growing and becoming more sophisticated, this task will only grow more and more difficult. We must act now."

Stamping out poaching

Though halting poaching of tigers at their source is the immediate concern, efforts are required to reduce the demand for tigers and their parts that is presently fuelling the poaching. A WWF and TRAFFIC workshop held in Hong Kong this week brought together creative experts from NGOs, universities, governments and the media to address the issue, and seek new solutions for the growing appetite for tigers in Asia.

While setting a spark for a zero poaching future is the most immediate priority, some progress has been made since the Summit. The announcement earlier this month by INTERPOL of the formation of Project Predator, a consortium of international agencies and governments uniting police, customs and wildlife officials to stop tiger poaching and trafficking represents just one of many initiatives ignited across the world by the Summit and the dedication shown by the leaders at the meeting.

WWF is committed to halting the poaching of tigers and their prey. This year it has been working with partners to find better ways to improve the effectiveness of ranger patrols through the development of law enforcement monitoring systems across Asia, training teams in the latest methods, including the MSTRiPES and MIST programmes.

As these programmes develop towards the end of the year and throughout 2012, their integration into current and emerging anti-poaching efforts will be vital to reduce the killing and turn tiger numbers around.

No more excuses – leading companies in WWF Scorecard show sustainable palm oil sourcing is possible now

2011-11-22

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia – Companies in Europe, Australia and Japan are buying more certified sustainable palm oil than ever before, but urgent action is still needed to avoid the irreversible loss of tropical forests, according to WWF's latest assessment of the industry that buys palm oil.

"It's never been easier for companies to be responsible about the palm oil they use," said Adam Harrison, Senior Policy Officer for WWF UK and WWF's representative on the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Executive Board. "There are options available for almost any company to buy certified sustainable palm oil. Yet the WWF Palm Oil Buyers' Scorecard shows that only half of the palm oil used by the companies we assessed is sustainable. So it is clear that some manufacturers and retailers have fallen behind on their commitments to 100 per cent sustainable palm oil, while others haven't even started at all."

WWF's Palm Oil Buyers' Scorecard 2011 - an update of the first scorecard published two years ago - measures over 130 major retailers and consumer goods manufacturers by looking at their commitment to, and use of, palm oil certified to the internationally recognised standards of the RSPO.

Of the companies scored, WWF believes that many are making commendable progress to increase their use of sustainable palm oil and to reduce their impact on deforestation. Most of the companies scored in both 2009 and 2011 have taken some strides forward, showing how the use of sustainable palm oil is slowly becoming more mainstream.

Released at the 9th Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, the Scorecard, which assesses both RSPO members and non members, also shows that 87 of the 132 companies (i.e. 66 per cent) surveyed have committed to sourcing 100 per cent RSPO-certified palm oil by 2015 or earlier, an encouraging sign that could spur further market development.

However, nearly half of the retailers and more than a fifth of manufacturers scored very poorly on taking responsibility for the impacts of their palm oil sourcing.

"The leading companies in the Scorecard demonstrate that it is possible to source certified sustainable palm oil to cover most or all of their palm oil usage, so there are no excuses for all companies not to take action now," says Harrison. "But 2015 is just around the corner -- all companies, even some of the top performers, need to move faster. Only then can we ensure that the momentum gained by the RSPO is not lost and avoid the negative impacts of irresponsible oil palm plantations on forests, wildlife and communities."

Leading companies, large and small, show the way
The Scorecard shows that it is possible for companies to make a strong commitment to the RSPO and sustainable palm oil - no matter how much palm oil they use. Even companies dealing in very large volumes of palm oil, such as Nestlé and Unilever, which each scored eight out of a possible nine points, demonstrate they can act responsibly.

Other major companies handling smaller but still substantial volumes of certified sustainable palm oil, namely IKEA, Royal FrieslandCampina and United Biscuits, scored well with eight or more points.

Of the companies sourcing mid-range volumes of palm oil, manufacturers like Burton's, Cadbury, Premier and Remia and retailers such as ASDA, Carrefour, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco have also done well.

Smaller operators, such as the manufacturers Allied Bakeries, Brioche Pasquier Cerqueux, Findus, Ginsters, Göteborgs Kex, Harry's, Henkel, H J Heinz, Karl Fazer, Nutrition et Santé, Oriflame Cosmetics, Santa Maria, and St Hubert, and the retailers Coop Switzerland, Marks & Spencer, Migros, Royal Ahold and their subsidiary ICA, The Co-operative Group UK and Waitrose, as well as manufacturers using comparatively minor amounts of palm oil such as Cloetta, Devineau / Bougies La Française, DSM Nutritional Products, Iglo Group, Iwata Chemical, L'Oréal, Saraya, The Jordans and Ryvita Company, Warburtons, and Yves Rocher, as well as retailers Axfood, the Body Shop and the Boots Group, have also scored above 8 points out of 9.

(see http://bit.ly/vwyuOF for a breakdown of company performance according to size of palm oil volumes used)

Very disappointingly, 17 of the 43 retailers and 15 of the 89 manufacturers assessed scored at three or below, showing that still too many companies are taking little or no responsibility for the negative impact of their palm oil use on forests, species and people.

Progress is still too slow
The supply of certified sustainable palm has grown dramatically since WWF released its first Scorecard in 2009, and now stands at 5 million tonnes (10 per cent of global palm oil production). Encouraging as this is, only about half of all the sustainable palm oil produced is being sold. This mirrors the situation in 2009, which is why WWF is renewing its call to companies to take their responsibilities far more seriously and far more urgently.

Lack of transparency hampers progress
Most worrying is an overall lack of transparency about the amount of palm oil that companies use, which WWF believes is a major disincentive to growers of sustainable palm oil to move ahead with further certification. While WWF asked companies to share the amount of palm oil they use, as well as how much of that oil is certified as sustainable, most companies were only willing to disclose a range of usage and too many companies provided no data at all.

"WWF wants far more openness in this industry. Unless there is greater transparency, oil palm growers will remain unwilling to commit to certification," said Harrison. "If we want growers to act responsibly, buyers of palm oil need to show what their future demand for certified sustainable palm oil is going to be."

Business solutions to drive a green economy in the Heart of Borneo

2011-11-16

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia - In a fitting closing event to one of the largest green economy conferences ever held in the region, WWF launched the Malaysian chapter of its new initiative for business, called the Heart of Borneo Green Business Network.

The launch was made at an evening function for members of the Malaysian business community, on November 16, during the landmark conference entitled: 'Sabah Heart of Borneo (HoB) Green Economy & Development - Engaging Business for Environment'.

The Green Business Network (GBN) aims to raise awareness and catalyse sustainability within the private sector in the context of a green economy in the Heart of Borneo (HoB).

Speaking at the evening launch, Datuk Sam Mannan, Director of Sabah's Forestry Department (SFD), said after two days of intense conference discussion on the green economy, it was very appropriate to close the conference with an intensely practical initiative which aims to support the participation of businesses in a green economy.

Dato' Dr. Dionysius Sharma, WWF-Malaysia Executive Director/CEO also speaking at the launch said: "We know that we cannot save the valuable Heart of Borneo forests without the support of the private sector. Tonight, we're reconfirming our commitment to work together with business towards green growth," he said.

A report, Green Business Solutions – Delivering the Heart of Borneo Declaration, was also released during the launch. The result of six months of intensive research and interviews with nearly 200 businesses, the report finds that only 54% of businesses interviewed had heard of the trilateral government-led Heart of Borneo Declaration.

However, once they had more information on the HoB and the opportunities offered by a green economic approach, many were willing to be involved and felt that business would have an important role to play.

"This is why we are launching the Green Business Network this evening, to support businesses that want to be on the leading edge of an emerging new green economy in the HoB," said Dr. Sharma.

Mr Sanjeev Chadha, joint CEO of Sabah Forest Industries and speaker at the Green Economy conference, welcomed the formation of the Green Business Network.

"I am very pleased to see this initiative taken as it will help the private sector learn from each other's experience and assist us to develop cost effective solutions to our green economy business challenges," he said.

Engines of green growth

Over 40% of the Heart of Borneo's area is currently under management by forestry, palm oil and mining sectors. According to WWF's HoB Initiative team leader, Adam Tomasek, it is necessary to create practical economic arguments for conservation and develop solutions that show how the biodiversity, forests and ecosystems of the HoB can become the engines for green growth and sustainability into the future.

"The Business Solutions report outlines a number of sector specific opportunities which can lead to low carbon and sustainable practices, developed together with businesses operating in the HoB," he said.

"The report is complemented by the Green Business Network and website, which is dedicated to collaborating and communicating the information that companies need to build green businesses in the HoB. The GBN aims to provide the tools and support to those companies willing to lead toward a future in which people and nature thrive,' he said.

Invest in the future of the Coral Triangle

2011-11-03

Jakarta, Indonesia - The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has launched a new regional campaign that encourages individuals to buy virtual property across the Coral Triangle, the world's center of marine life.

The innovative online MyCoralTriangle campaign will make ample use of social media, a series of print advertisements, and a 30-second television commercial that will lead online audiences to www.panda.org/mycoraltriangle, where they can buy a "spot" in the Coral Triangle for just US$5.

The money raised will go towards WWF's ongoing efforts to conserve the region's spectacular environment in protected areas including Wakatobi and Semporna.

The Coral Triangle encompasses Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Timor L'Este. It is home to 6 of the world's 7 species of marine turtles, and a place where whales, dolphins, dugongs, and the world's largest fish, the whaleshark, live.

More than 120 million people also depend heavily on the region's marine resources for food and income.

"The Coral Triangle is where a big portion of the world's tuna supply comes from. From here, tuna finds its way to local markets and also on to your dinner table. It's very likely that the seafood you enjoy at your favorite restaurants comes from the Coral Triangle, as it is home to thousands of the world's reef fish species," said Dr Lida Pet-Soede, Head of the WWF Coral Triangle Programme.

"For as little as US$5 - the price of a cup of coffee or an afternoon meal – supporters can invest in the future of the Coral Triangle, a region facing serious challenges including overfishing and climate change," added Dr Pet-Soede.

Why we need your commitment: growing challenges

Located in the heart of Asia Pacific's rapidly expanding economies, the Coral Triangle is facing incredible pressure from the region's growing financial clout.

Increasing demands for food means that fishing boats are extracting tuna and reef fish out of the sea faster than populations can replenish themselves, and many are caught using highly damaging practices.

People are also feeling the crunch, with climate change now dramatically altering the lives of millions of people.

"The Coral Triangle is a place the world simply cannot do without. We urgently need your support to protect the future of this globally-significant ecoregion," said Dr Pet-Soede.

MyCoralTriangle will be simultaneously launched on 3 November in four pilot markets: Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia and driven by the WWF national offices in these countries.

The campaign has been developed through partnership of the WWF Coral Triangle Program and Dentsu Asia, together with WWF-Hong Kong, WWF-Indonesia, WWF-Malaysia, WWF-Philippines and the Asia Pacific Growth Team (APGT), with the support of WWF International.

Visit www.panda.org/mycoraltriangle now and invest in your future.

WWF film on poaching crisis in Malaysia wins top award

2011-11-02

Selangor, Malaysia - On Borrowed Time, a documentary highlighting the poaching crisis in the Belum-Temengor Forest Complex produced by WWF-Malaysia and TRAFFIC Southeast Asia, has won the top prize at Malaysia's Eco Film Festival.

Filmed by the award-winning documentary maker Novista, the story depicts the tremendous threats faced by the wildlife in northern Peninsular Malaysia and was named Best Local Film, 2011.

Since 2008, WWF and TRAFFIC have uncovered a trail of destruction for wildlife, and the documentary is their call to action against poaching and forest encroachment there.

"This documentary proves that more needs to be done for Belum-Temengor, and we hope this win will accelerate action on the ground. We dedicate this win to all wildlife conservationists out there who are doing their best to protect and conserve wildlife," says Dato' Dr. Dionysius Sharma, Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Malaysia.

The Belum-Temengor Forest Complex is one of the last refuges for many of Malaysia's amazing, yet highly threatened wildlife, including the Malayan tiger, Asian elephant, Sunda pangolin, and gaur.

The award comes as new threats emerge in these troubled forests. In September, land clearing at a poaching hotspot was uncovered, threatening to provide easier access into the forest complex and escalate illegal hunting. A month has passed and there has been no news on the results of investigations ordered into the clearing.

"The problem is very real but there is still time to save this incredible landscape and its wildlife if State Governments and Federal enforcement agencies act now. This is the message we want to convey through the documentary. We hope the country's decision-makers are paying attention," says Dr William Schaedla, Regional Director of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.

The Eco Film Festival is an annual event that showcases films addressing local and global environmental issues. Now in its fourth year, the Festival is organised by Eco- Knights and UM Cares.

The award for Best Local Film comes with a RM4,000 (US$1,275) cash prize which will be used for producing versions of the documentary in other languages.