WWF - Search Forest News & Resources

Keeping an eye on deforestation

2013-05-06

The Brazilian Amazon Fund will be providing 23 million Brazilian reals to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) to support a project for monitoring deforestation in other countries of the Amazon region. The decision, announced on Friday, 3 May, inaugurates the Amazon Fund's support for other countries with tropical forests.

The Amazon Fund is a tool to promote reduction of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, defined under leadership of the Ministry of Environment. It is funded mostly by Norwegian resources, with contributions also from Germany and other countries, and is managed by Brazil's National Social and Economic Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social - BNDES). Part of the fund can be used to collaborate on forest monitoring outside the Brazilian Amazon.

The ACTO Amazon Region Forest Cover Monitoring Project has the support of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Environment. The National Space Research Institute (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais - INPE) will also participate in the project providing training and forest cover monitoring technology.

The 60-month project will support all the ACTO member countries except Brazil - Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela - with initiatives for structuring and implementing observation rooms, providing access to forest cover monitoring technology, elaborating national monitoring plans and improving, harmonizing and standardizing their institutional capability to conduct surveillance of land use changes.

Brazil's interest and possible support for developing deforestation and land use change monitoring capacity in other Amazon countries had already been announced by Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira at the Rio+20 Conference in 2012, and on other recent public events. The environment minister has also emphasized the willingness to collaborate further with other conservation and sustainable development actions, including in protected areas.

With this latest approval, the Amazon Fund now has a portfolio of 37 projects receiving support to the amount of 462.8 million Brazilian reals in the bid to curb deforestation and stimulate sustainable development in the Amazon, including support to ARPA – the Brazilian Amazon Region Protected Areas Programme. ARPA counts now also with a new initiative called ARPA for Life, co-led by WWF, to raise more funds for one of the most successful in situ conservation projects in the world.

Lessons learned

In the last 10 years, Brazilian deforestation rates have been falling due to the multi-institutional and higher level engagement of the national government in areas such as land use planning - mostly creation and strengthening of protected areas - control and patrolling, and promotion of sustainable economic activities.

Nevertheless, the deforestation pattern in Brazil seems to keep evolving toward greater dispersion and smaller areas, requiring improvements of monitoring technology. But, the future is uncertain, because the policies have not been embedded in mainstream government policies in sectors such as hydropower, finance, mining, forest economy, transportation, and agriculture and ranching. Moreover, other countries still need to benefit from a consistent program to understand and monitor deforestation in their portions of the Amazon.

Unfortunately, the tendency of deforestation rates in other Amazon countries is of growth. It seems that in the Andean-Amazon countries there are tendencies of demographic and economic movement from the Andes mountains toward the lowlands of the Amazon. Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia have been facing an increase in deforestation due to different social and economic drivers, the dynamics of which are still not completely clear.

In the case of Colombia and Ecuador, the major drivers of deforestation are probably the increase in cattle ranching and plantations, even though they are on a smaller scale individually. Small and larger scale ranching and farming seem also to be crucial elements in Bolivia. Gold and other mining, as well as transportation, and energy (oil and dams), seem to be behind the deforestation tendencies in Peruvian and Ecuadorean Amazon. The trends in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, although relatively small, also seem to be increasing.

"Deforestation tendencies of the Andean Amazon countries together indicate that deforestation is probably increasing, due to demographic and economic movements toward their Amazon areas. There is a need to increase cooperation between Brazil and other Amazon countries in order to exchange technology, experiences and lessons learned," explained Claudio Maretti, WWF Living Amazon Initiative.

"The support Brazil gives to ACTO and other countries is a good beginning. We should understand that monitoring is the first stage, but with that we have to promote awareness and support policy and markets decisions. Those fronts need to continue, and in some cases be strengthened in Brazil, and clearly need to be established or strengthened in the other Amazon countries," concluded Maretti.

(With information from the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social – BNDES)

New forest loss figures highlight need for green growth in the Greater Mekong

2013-05-02

Bangkok, Thailand: The Greater Mekong subregion in Southeast Asia risks losing more than a third of its remaining forest cover within the next two decades if regional governments fail to boost protection, value and restore natural capital, and embrace green growth, warns a new WWF report.

WWF's analysis reveals the Greater Mekong has retained about 98 million hectares of natural forest, just over half of the region's land area, but further rapid loss is expected if current deforestation rates persist.

Between 1973 and 2009, the five countries of the Greater Mekong lost just under one-third of their remaining forest cover. During this period, Cambodia lost 22 per cent of its 1973 forest cover, Laos and Myanmar lost 24 per cent, and Thailand and Vietnam lost 43 per cent.

Large connected areas of core forest also declined significantly across the region, from over 70 per cent in 1973 to about 20 per cent in 2009.

Core forest is defined as an area of at least 3.2km2 of uninterrupted forest. If current trends continue, WWF predicts that by 2030 only 14 per cent of the Greater Mekong's remaining forest will consist of contiguous habitat capable of sustaining viable populations of many wildlife species.

"The Greater Mekong is at a crossroads," said Peter Cutter, Landscape Conservation Manager with WWF-Greater Mekong. "One path leads to further declines in biodiversity and livelihoods, but if natural resources are managed responsibly, this region can pursue a course that will secure a healthy and prosperous future for its people."

The report, "Ecosystems in the Greater Mekong: past trends, current status, possible futures," provides new analysis on the current status and potential future of the region's principal forest and freshwater ecosystems, and some of the most endangered species these ecosystems support.

The report offers two scenarios for the region's ecosystems, one predicts what will likely happen by 2030 under an unsustainable growth model in which the deforestation and degradation observed over the past decade persists, while the other scenario assumes a 50 per cent cut in the annual deforestation rate and offers a future based on green growth. Under the green economy scenario, core forest areas extant in 2009 across the five Greater Mekong countries would remain intact.

"The green economy approach is the choice for a viable future in the Greater Mekong," added Cutter. "Regional leaders have already affirmed that healthy economic growth goes hand in hand with healthy and productive ecosystems, but fast and effective responses are needed now to avoid permanent environmental degradation."

The report highlights the Xayaburi dam development as a key threat to the health and productivity of the Mekong river and delta.

The Mekong basin hosts 13 unique, yet connected, freshwater ecosystems, but the controversial Xayaburi project will sever the mainstem of the lower Mekong river, blocking migratory fish and sediment flow with devastating consequences for livelihoods and food security for 60 million people.

The report also maps the enormous decline in the range of several important and iconic species of the region, including the tiger, Asian elephant, Irrawaddy dolphin and the endemic saola.

The survival of many species in the Greater Mekong depend on the existence of effectively managed protected area systems, and while protected areas have expanded dramatically since 1970, many are not well managed.

"Many protected areas exist in name only," added Cutter. "Even relatively secure protected areas are under intense pressure from poaching and timber theft, while others have been reduced in size by government's eager to cash in on land concessions to mining companies or plantation owners."

Despite documenting the degradation of ecosystems over the past 50 years, the report also emphasizes the region is still rich in natural resources and the value of its ecosystem services, including food, water and fibre, is among the highest in the world.

The Greater Mekong's vast natural wealth provides a significant opportunity for sustainable development, and WWF believes building greener economies is well within reach.

"Given that the majority of the region's biological heritage and supporting ecosystems occur in landscapes that cross borders, regional collaboration is critical," concluded Cutter. "Increased and more sustainable investment in maintaining ecosystem integrity must also be a priority at landscape, national, and regional scales."

Russian forests and tigers left floored by illegal logging

2013-04-16

Gland/Moscow - The forests of the Russian Far East are being pushed to the brink of destruction due to pervasive, large-scale illegal logging, largely to supply Chinese furniture and flooring manufacturers, according to a new report by WWF-Russia.

This widespread timber theft is threatening the long-term survival of the endangered Amur tiger, while providing a conduit for illegal timber to find its way into the United States, Europe and Japan.

In the report, Illegal Logging in the Russian Far East: Global Demand and Taiga Destruction, WWF-Russia synthesizes more than 10 years of on-the-ground field observations and highlights a sobering reality: Russia's forest sector has become deeply criminalized, with poor law enforcement, allowing illegal loggers to plunder valuable timber stocks of oak, ash, elm and linden with impunity.

"The scope and scale of illegal logging in the Ussuri Taiga is imperiling the long-term survival of the Amur tiger and the livelihoods of thousands of forest villagers and indigenous peoples," said WWF-Russia Forest Policy Projects Coordinator Nikolay Shmatkov.

"With minimal resources in place to detect and prosecute illegal logging throughout the region, the sheer scale of violations has reached epidemic proportions."

WWF analysis of Russian customs data revealed that in 2010, the volume of Mongolian oak logged for export was twice the amount legally authorized for harvest from the region--meaning that at least half of the oak shipped across the border to China was stolen. Further analysis of export data showed that 2010 was a mild year: in 2007 and 2008 the oak harvest was four times as large.

The report also finds that, although there are a few positive examples of successful Russian forest law enforcement actions, the proportion of registered illegal logging violations brought to trial is extremely low. In 2011, only 16 percent of the 691 registered cases of illegal logging in Primorsky Province were brought to trial – the lowest figure in the past 10 years.

Illegal logging degrades vital habitat for Amur tigers and their prey. Scientists estimate around 450 Amur tigers remain in the wild. Over harvesting limits the supply of pine nuts and acorns—a main food source for their prey. As timber supplies dwindle, ecologically sensitive forests like wildlife reserves are increasingly threatened.

While WWF is working in Russia to suggest measures the government can take to end illegal logging from the supply side, importing nations must take action as well.

In particular, the report highlights the need for strengthened collaboration between Russia and China to ensure better timber tracking between the two countries.

In addition, the United States, European Union and other countries with timber legality legislation must ensure that those laws are adequately enforced. Companies in importing companies must be sure of the forest origin, legality and traceability of their wood products.

"There is a significant risk that US and EU companies and consumers could be purchasing furniture and flooring made with wood from illegal sources," said Linda Walker, forest program manager for WWF-US. "It's critical for companies to ensure that they are sourcing wood products from legal and responsible sources, or they risk violating their customers' trust and seriously degrading habitat."

The report urges importers of Chinese or Russian hardwood furniture and flooring to confirm the species and country of wood origin, as Russian species can be mislabeled as originating from other countries. For products made with Russian oak, ash, elm, or linden, companies should exclusively purchase Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified products.

If FSC-certified products are not available, companies should establish rigorous legality and traceability confirmation systems. If neither approach is possible, buyers should avoid any products made from Russian Far East hardwoods due to the high risks of illegality.

WWF invites 70 companies to 2013 Environmental Paper Company Index

2013-04-04

Gland, Switzerland— WWF has invited the world's most important and strategically relevant paper manufacturers, representing 25% of global wood pulp production and 35% of global paper and paperboard production, to participate in the third edition of its Environmental Paper Company Index (EPCI). 70 leading paper manufacturers from Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa have been identified as potential leaders in promoting transparency and continual improvement in paper manufacturing. The list is publicly available on wwf.panda.org/epci2013 .

The EPCI started in its current form in 2010 and is one of WWF's key tools to promote and reward transparency and continual improvement to reduce the environmental footprint of paper production. The index is produced every two years. It offers an opportunity for paper producers in all product sectors to set a signal for transparency on environmental performance and to receive public recognition from the leading conservation organization WWF.

"Transparency is increasingly recognized by the industry as an important aspect of their operations, and many companies today make efforts on transparency in various ways," says Emmanuelle Neyroumande, Manager of WWF International's global pulp and paper work. "WWF´s Environmental Paper Company Index facilitates a better understanding of complex data sets by focusing on the most important parameters and filtering them through an environmental lense."

In 2012, the EPCI method was reviewed in cooperation with paper manufacturers from around the world in order to improve its global applicability and relevance. WWF also changed the EPCI to focus on a reference format, presenting collated results per company rather than presenting a comparison matrix.

"All participating companies will be applauded for being transparent on their environmental performance, which is more important than actual results in this exercise," says Neyroumande. "The new reference rather than comparison format of the EPCI will hopefully make it attractive for more producers to take part."

Deadline for participating is 30th of June 2013.

Companies that have not been invited but would like to participate can contact the WWF International Paper Team at epci@wwf.panda.org

For further information:
Helma Brandlmaier, Senior Advisor Paper Footprint and Market Change, WWF International
Tel: +43676842728219 hbrandlmaier@wwf.panda.org

Not much protected and no commitment to restoration in APP forest promises

2013-04-03

Jakarta, Indonesia – The much-touted new deforestation policy of controversial paper giant Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) will save almost no forests in its main base of operations, Sumatra, Indonesia, a new report by NGO coalition Eyes on the Forest has concluded.

APP and Sinar Mas announced the policy in February as "an end to the clearing of natural forest across its entire supply chain in Indonesia, with immediate effect." However, a new Eyes on the Forest (EoF) analysis that looks at all APP concessions – including those not covered by the moratorium - in Riau Province, Sumatra, found that the policy protects at most 5,000 hectares of natural forest. This compares to the deforestation of more than 2 million hectares caused by the operation of APP's Sumatra pulp mills over the past three decades.

"We're extremely disappointed. When APP published the policy, we thought it could be great news for Indonesia's forests, biodiversity and citizens," said Nazir Foead, Conservation Director of WWF-Indonesia. "However, after this new analysis for Sumatra, it appears that the company has announced a halt to deforestation only after completing nearly all the deforestation it could possible do."

Among APP's many natural forest wood sources are the concessions of its suppliers in Riau Province. They alone lost more than 680,000 hectares of natural forest between the start of the company's Riau pulp mill in 1984 and 2012. Of that, 77% was lost in legally questionable ways, while an even larger proportion - 83% - consumed the habitat of critically endangered Sumatran tigers and elephants.

WWF called on APP and Sinar Mas to announce a forest restoration commitment.

"The company is asking for a grand amnesty, for the 'past to be forgotten', leaving our country to deal with devastated ecosystems, social conflicts, on-going greenhouse gas emissions and critically endangered species who lost their habitat," says Aditya Bayunanda, GFTN and pulp & paper manager of WWF Indonesia. "That is not acceptable, Indonesian NGOs are calling on APP to restore selected peatlands and forests lost in protected, High Conservation Value areas and to mitigate the damage its operations caused to surrounding natural forests, peat soils, and wildlife."

Eyes on the Forest also highlights that SMG/APP's much advertised High Conservation Value assessments are to be conducted in concessions where planned clearing is complete and the remaining forests are already protected by law or APP's previous commitments.

"Without a restoration commitment, these assessments have little meaning," adds Bayunanda.

The report also shows that, despite previous company promises to exclusively pulp plantation fiber by 2004, 2007 and 2009, the company's rate of deforestation remained constant between 1995 and 2011, apart from a short period in 2007-2009 when authorities were investigating alleged illegal logging by the industry, including APP wood suppliers. The rate slowed in 2012 – for the sole reason that there was very little natural forest left to cut.

"Our analysis points to one conclusion: APP once again seems to hope that it can fool people into imagining huge conservation benefits while overlooking past transgressions," said Hariansyah Usman of WALHI Riau. "We don't see the policy's potential future conservation benefits balancing in any way the many unresolved issues stemming from APP's deforestation legacy."

"Eyes on the Forest highlights that only full disclosure of all activities, including the status of all existing and planned wood supply bases and all mill expansion plans can prove whether this policy contains any real conservation benefits."

Last week, NGOs in Kalimantan, on the Indonesian side of Borneo, found continued logging of tropical forest taking place in the concessions of two APP wood suppliers, who are supposed to be bound by the February deforestation moratorium.

A serious red flag to WWF is the fact that APP's mills continue to accept and pulp natural forest timber, under the claim that it was felled before the moratorium started on 1 February 2013. WWF-Indonesia calls on APP to close this loophole since it could be used by suppliers to feed wood into the mills from new deforestation, in violation of the policy. WWF has proposed a May 5 deadline to end their mills' acceptance of natural forest timber, allowing the company over 3 months to transport stockpiles of wood cleared before February.

"WWF recommends that paper buyers do not rush into doing business with APP", says Rod Taylor, Director of Forests at WWF International. "APP cannot be regarded as a responsible producer without redressing the harm caused by its past operations and removing any doubt that wood linked to forest clearing can enter its mills."

EoF published analyses of the report on its interactive online map, based on Google Earth's Maps Engine platform, allowing stakeholders to evaluate some of the aspects of APP's new forest policy and monitor its implementation. EoF will update its database regularly as information from other provinces and new details about existing concessions becomes available.

For further information please contact:

Aditya Bayunanda, WWF-Indonesia. +62 8182 65588, abayunanda@wwf.or.id

Diah R. Sulistiowati, WWF-Indonesia, +628111004396, dsulistiowati@wwf.or.id

Chris Chaplin, WWF-International. +86 13911747472, cchaplin@wwf.sg

FSC certification in Cameroon surpasses 1 million hectares

2013-03-27

Yaoundé, Cameroon – The total Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified area in Cameroon has exceeded 1 million hectares with the certification of new areas managed by the Société Forestière et Industrielle de la Doumé, a Rougier subsidiary and participant in WWF's Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN).

The newly certified areas, covering 285,667 ha, are located in the Mbang area of eastern Cameroon, home to the Baka community, considered among the oldest residents of Cameroon's rainforests. These forests are also rich in biodiversity. This award marks the first substantial increase of FSC certified area in the Congo Basin in several years.

"We congratulate Rougier on this achievement and salute their commitments to responsible forest management in the Congo Basin. It's also important Rougier and Cameroonian authorities work together to maintain elephant populations in these forests, considering the recent documented massacres in the Congo Basin," said Daniel Tiveau, Regional GFTN Manager for Central Africa.

FSC is the best forest management assurance system available, and is recognized as the top level of commitment by leading environmental groups operating within the tropical forest industry.

FSC certification ensures the forest management is 1) environmentally appropriate – protecting and maintaining natural communities and high conservation value forests 2) socially beneficial – respecting the rights of workers, communities and indigenous peoples and 3) economically viable – building markets, adding best value and creating equitable access to benefits.

WWF/GFTN has supported Société Forestière et Industrielle de la Doumé since October 2009 in establishing an action plan to achieve FSC certification, supporting local and indigenous peoples on community development, building the capacity of the Local Consultation Framework (Comité Paysan Forêts), and has provided training on conflict resolution.

In working toward FSC certification, the company has improved its internal management procedures through better documentation of its work, and has undergone third party assessment.

"Many years ago, Rougier entered into a voluntary process of certification in which the group invested heavily to enhance its production on the international market. Through our efforts in matters of certification, we wish to consolidate our positions on the developing markets for certified products," said Rougier CEO Francis Rougier.

WWF is currently undertaking research to identify barriers for forest certification and is committed to helping companies overcome them.

"Managing forests responsibly is the best way to ensure a better future for people and biodiversity, and buying certified products from the Congo Basin is the best way markets can influence forest management in the region," Tiveau said.

APP suppliers pulping new bid for sustainability credentials in Kalimantan?

2013-03-27

Pontianak, West Kalimantan – NGO observers have claimed that pulp timber suppliers to controversial paper giant Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) are continuing to log tropical forest and dig drainage canals through peat soils in Kalimantan, regardless of the new Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) launched with much fanfare by APP and parent group Sinar Mas last month.

APP, noting that the suppliers have denied breaching requirements of the FCP, is investigating a complaint lodged by the Consortium of Kalimantan's Forest Monitoring NGOs (RPHK)

Over the same period that heavy machinery was apparently engaged in logging and dredging on the two concessions , representatives of both APP and the two supplier companies hosted a meeting 80 km away in provincial capital Pontianak to convince sceptical local NGOs that the FCP was not yet another company greenwashing stunt.

APP has previously announced an end to tropical forest pulping in 2004, 2007 and 2009. On February 5 it hosted a gala announcement that it had halted tropical forest clearing on its own and independent supplier concessions throughout Indonesia on January 31, with heavy equipment impounded pending independent assessment of conservation values and above ground carbon.

RPHK members, who were among those present at the February 26 meeting in Potianak, lodged a complaint on the basis of extensive photographic and video evidence of the work on concessions of PT Asia Tani Persada (ATP) and PT Daya Tani Kalbar (DTK), two of the four companies disclosed by APP as West Kalimantan suppliers to its mills in devastated Sumatra.

RPHK observers familiar with the areas of the two concessions said they contained orang-utan habitat. The promised assessments would have examined whether and where orang-utans are still present.

"We are really concerned to see how heavy equipment is still actively clearing natural forest, digging peat canals and clearing the land in the two supplier's concessions in West Kalimantan. This is a clear violation of the APP's FCP that APP socialized in Pontianak on 26 February," said Baruni Hendri, a spokesperson of the RPHK consortium.

"Our findings showed that APP is not taking their conservation policy seriously, thus making RPHK doubt APP's seriousness on the implementation of their commitment."

APP has issued a statement that "Our policy is clear - there would be no natural forest clearance anywhere in our supply chain and every supplier has been advised of he policy details."

"We contacted the suppliers and both have strongly indicated that they are not in breach of our policy and that the likely cause is concession boudaries that overlap with other industries."

WWF-Indonesia, a member of RPHK with local NGOs, has called on APP and its parent, the giant Sinar Mas Group, to quickly close a loophole allowing mills to continue accepting "stockpiled" mixed tropical hardwoods for an indefinite period, nominating May 5 as giving ample time to clear stockpiles. The evidence of current clearing vindicates concerns that freshly cleared timber will continue to be "laundered" into pulp mills.

"We call on global buyers of pulp and paper to remain skeptical and await independent verification by independent NGOs of the credible field implementation of APP's FCP before making any new purchasing decision," said Anton P. Wijaya, Director Executive of WALHI (Friends of Earth Indonesia) chapter West Kalimantan.

Member groups of the Consortium of Kalimantan Forest Monitoring Volunteers (RPHK) able to provide information in English are WWF-Indonesia (Contact : Ian Hilman, +6282121868624, ihilman@wwf.or.id), and TITIAN, an active biodiversity conservation institute for local community sustainable benefits in West Kalimantan (Contact Director, Sulhani +62561-6589198). Other member groups include AKAR, an illegal wildlife crime monitoring network in Borneo, actively raising public awareness about the importance of wildlife protection and their habitat; JPIK Kalimantan Barat, a civil society network that focuses on monitoring effort of the sustainable forest management for Forest Plantation Wood Production Permit; Link-AR Borneo (Lingkaran Advokasi dan Riset), a civil society organization focus on advocacy based on research or investigation related to land plunder and biodiversity degradation, as well as community empowerment ( www.linkarborneo.com); SAMPAN (Sahabat Masyarakat Pantai), a civil society organization focus on advocacy for costal and watershed communities (www.sampankalimantan.org) and LEMBAH, an active institute in Bengkayang District for social and economic empowerment based on environment.

Photos and videos of this issue can be accessed through:
www.linkarborneo.com and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o54C3jf6PLYRPHK.

Governments start to rein in ivory and rhino horn trade, give sharks and timbers better protection at wildlife trade meeting

2013-03-14

Bangkok, Thailand - A critical wildlife trade meeting closed Thursday with decisions from world governments to regulate the international trade in several species of sharks and timber, and to start taking action against countries doing little or nothing to stop the illegal ivory and rhino horn trades.

Countries, on the final day of the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), capped the historic two-week meeting by deciding for the first time to initiate a process requiring countries most implicated in illicit ivory trade to clamp down on smuggling.

Governments mandated China, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, Tanzania and Viet Nam – the countries of highest concern in terms of their failure to clamp down on large-scale illegal ivory trade - to submit time-bound plans to deal with the problem in two months, and make progress before the next CITES meeting in summer of 2014.

Under CITES rules, failure by those countries to take action could lead to a compliance process potentially resulting in sanctions being initiated. The treaty allows CITES to issue a recommendation that governments taking part in the treaty stop trading with non-compliant countries in the 35,000 species covered under the convention, from orchids to crocodile skins.

"After years of inaction, governments today put those countries failing to regulate the ivory trade on watch, a move that will help stem the unfettered slaughter of thousands of African elephants," said Carlos Drews, WWF's head of delegation at CITES. "The gains made to better protect species here in Bangkok are a major milestone."

"But the fight to stop wildlife crime is not over," Drews said. "These countries will now be held accountable to these pledges, and must step up the urgency in dealing with the global poaching crisis that is ravaging our wildlife."

The decisions to better regulate the ivory trade this week came after Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on the opening day of the meeting announced she would shut down her country's ivory markets. The prime minister's pledge came after more than 1.5 million people signed petitions by WWF, Avaaz, and actor and conservationist Leonardo DiCaprio asking her to end the trading of ivory in Thailand.

Governments also extended better protection to threatened rhinos by pledging to work against organized crime syndicates that are smuggling rhino horn through the black market by increasing penalties. In addition, countries adopted a plan to reduce demand for illegal wildlife products like rhino horn, which is believed wrongly to be a miracle cure in Viet Nam.

Nearly 700 South African rhinos were killed by poachers last year, and nearly 150 have died thus far in 2013. Up to 30,000 elephants are lost to poaching every year.

Governments also reaffirmed the stronger protections for three species of hammerhead sharks, in addition to porbeagle sharks, oceanic whitetips, and two species of manta rays. The sharks and manta rays were listed on CITES Appendix II, seeking to regulate their international trade at sustainable levels.

"This is an historic moment, where science has prevailed over politics, as sharks and manta rays are being obliterated from our oceans," Drews said. "This decision will put a major dent in the uncontrolled trade in shark meat and fins, which is rapidly destroying populations of these precious animals to feed the growing demand for luxury goods."

"These timely decisions to have trade in sharks and manta rays regulated by CITES show that governments can muster the political will to keep our oceans healthy, securing food and other benefits for generations to come – and we hope to see similar action in the future to protect other commercially exploited and threatened marine species, both at the national and international level," Drews said.

Negotiators also voted to ramp up trade regulations for several species of rosewood and ebony, which have been subjects of dangerous levels of illegal logging leading to deforestation, especially in Madagascar.

World`s valuable timbers protected against illegal trade

2013-03-13

Precious ebony and rosewood timbers have secured protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in recognition of possible extinction due to illegal logging and international trade.

Both kinds of timber are exported for use in making musical instruments, furniture and decorative items, such as chess pieces, due to their unusual heartwood.

The rich red colour of rosewood, as well as the hardness and black colour of ebony, mean that they have always been highly prized. Both take a long time to grow and mature, making them vulnerable to unsustainable harvesting because it takes a long time to replace logged trees.

Demand for these valuable timbers has grown significantly in recent years, particularly in Asia. This has led to dangerous levels of illegal logging resulting in serious forest degradation across these countries.

Governments meeting in Bangkok, Thailand agreed to regulate trade to help manage rosewood from Madagascar, Latin America and Indo-China, and ebony from Madagascar, to ensure that the trade in these species is managed sustainably.

"This is a good decision by the governments of CITES and we hope that this will ensure the future of these precious trees" said Dr Colman O Criodain, WWF`s Policy Analyst, International Wildlife Trade.

#CITES: Proposals for dozens of commercially exploited timber species adopted. More bit.ly/Y6JCNP
— TRAFFIC (@TRAFFIC_WLTrade) March 12, 2013

Madagascar, famous for unique animals like lemurs, also has kinds of ebony and rosewood that are not found anywhere else. The populations of both are decreasing due to increased amounts of logging even with a current ban on export.

Thailand sought protection for one of its rosewood that occurs there and in neighbouring countries. This proposal received warm support from the meeting, especially from other countries with rosewood of their own.

"The special characteristics of rosewood and ebony heartwood are part of the trees' natural defence against insects and disease."

"It seems, though, that this defence mechanism puts them more at risk from humans. We are happy that trade will now be regulated so these specialty woods can be enjoyed into the future," said Dr O Criodain.

Earth's forests get conservation boost from eyes in space

2013-02-11

Washington, D.C. – It was a historic day for Earth conservation today with the launch of NASA's Landsat 8 earth-imaging satellite from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite will enable continued global land observations critical to forest monitoring and conservation. WWF's global Forest and Climate Initiative will use data made available to monitor deforestation rates in the world's most threatened tropical forests, as part of its efforts in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+).

Landsat 8 is the latest satellite launched as part of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission, a joint program of NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey started in 1972. The satellite will circle Earth 14 times a day at an altitude of 438 miles, returning over each location every 16 days. Imagery and data captured will be archived and made freely available at no cost.

WWF anticipates that scientists in key tropical forest landscapes – including the Amazon, Congo Basin and Indonesia – will be able to use the imagery generated by Landsat 8 to monitor, in near real-time, deforestation rates and to track these against established reference levels (RLs). This is significant, as it will enable nations readying for REDD+ to meet U.N. technical requirements calling for consistency between deforestation RLs and monitoring, reporting and verification – a critical step in moving REDD+ forward.

"The launch today of Landsat 8 should be celebrated by conservationists everywhere as an important step forward in the global effort to conserve the Earth's most fragile and valuable tropical forests, and as a critical tool to realizing REDD+ conservation opportunities," said Bruce Cabarle, leader of WWF's global Forest and Climate Initiative.

In launching Landsat 8, NASA said it was, "continuing a 40-year legacy of conserving the Earth's natural resources from space."

Landsat 8's imagery will build on data captured by previous satellites launched by the Landsat program – the world's only historic and freely available earth-imaging system. This will give scientists around the world new, yet historically comparable views, of the impacts of nature and humans on the Earth's surface over time.

For more information on WWF's REDD+ conservation efforts, visit: http://www.panda.org/forestclimate

For more information on the Landsat program, visit: http://landsat.usgs.gov/

WWF welcomes APP announcement to halt clearing, urges paper buyers to wait for proof

2013-02-05

JAKARTA – WWF welcomed the announcement that the Sinar Mas Group's Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) have stopped clearing Indonesia's tropical forests and peatlands to allow an assessment of their conservation and carbon values. But the conservation organization urged paper buyers to wait for confirmation of the claims through independent monitoring by civil society before doing business with APP.

"APP today committed to most of WWF's calls. If the company follows through on this, it could be great news for Indonesia's forests, biodiversity and citizens," said Nazir Foead, Conservation Director of WWF-Indonesia.

"Unfortunately, APP has a long history of making commitments to WWF, customers and other stakeholders that it has failed to live up to. We hope this time the company does what it promised. WWF plans to independently monitor APP's wood sourcing and forestry activities for compliance with its commitments and regularly update stakeholders on the findings," Foead added.

APP runs two of the world's largest pulp mills on Sumatra, where it produces the pulp for the toilet paper, tissue, copy paper and packaging that it sells worldwide. The company and its wood suppliers are responsible for clearing more than 2 million hectares of rain forest on the island since beginning operations in 1984, an analysis by the NGO coalition Eyes on the Forest found.

"WWF hopes that APP's new commitments will do more than just stop its own bulldozers, including protecting the natural forests in its concessions from all illegal activities and mitigating the long-term negative impacts its practices have had on all the peat lands, forests, biodiversity and local people in Sumatra and Borneo for which these commitments have come too late," Foead added.

"WWF has long called on responsible businesses to avoid sourcing from APP and until there is truly independent confirmation that APP has stopped draining peat soils and pulping tropical forests with high conservation value, we continue to urge paper buyers to adopt a wait for proof stance," said Aditya Bayunanda, GFTN and pulp & paper manager of WWF Indonesia.

Mr Teguh Widjaya, the patriarch of the family's pulp and paper business, oversaw the announcement today that no member of his APP group operating in Indonesia or China will accept any tropical timber felled in Indonesia after 31 January 2013 until company consultants have completed a full "high conservation value" and a "high carbon stock" assessment of their forest concessions.

However, the company inserted a loophole in the commitment saying that for an indefinite period of time APP mills would accept trees felled before 31 January.

As a sign of good faith and the first demonstrable milestone, WWF calls on APP to have moved the supply of already-cut tropical timber its suppliers cleared before the self-imposed 31 January 2013 moratorium by 5 May 2013, the due date of its next quarterly forest policy report.

A fully implemented moratorium on pulping forests with high conservation and high carbon value would have a profound impact on Indonesia's biodiversity, as well as on Indonesia's carbon emissions. WWF urges all of the country's pulp producers to stop using tropical forests.

Industry key to conserving forests as demand for wood projected to triple by 2050

2013-01-28

Frankfurt, Germany — By 2050, rising population and demand, as well as an increase in use of wood for bioenergy, could triple the amount of wood society takes from forests and plantations per year, according to the latest instalment of WWF's Living Forests Report. The report, presented today at the international paper conference Paperworld in Frankfurt, projects paper production and consumption may double in the next three decades, and overall wood consumption may triple.

"A scenario of tripling the amount of wood society takes from forests and plantations needs to motivate good stewardship that safeguards forests – otherwise we could destroy the very places where wood grows," says Rod Taylor, Director of WWF's Global Forest Programme. "Wood, if sourced from well managed forests or plantations, is a renewable material with many advantages over non-renewable alternatives. The key challenge for forest-based industries is how to supply more wood products with less impact on nature. This challenge spans the whole supply chain, from where and how wood is grown and harvested to how wisely and efficiently it is processed, used and reused."

WWF's forest conservation target is zero net deforestation and forest degradation by 2020, which means no overall loss of forest area or forest quality. The target requires the loss of natural forests to be reduced to near zero, down from the current 13 million hectares a year, and held at that level indefinitely.

"WWF's research suggests that it is possible to achieve zero net deforestation and forest degradation while sustaining a vibrant wood products industry that meets people's needs," says Emmanuelle Neyroumande, Manager of WWF International´s global pulp and paper work. "But the longer we delay our actions the more difficult and costly the solutions will be. We need wiser consumption, more efficiency, responsible forestry practices, good governance and more transparency."

For paper in particular, the Living Forests Report outlines a variety of solutions:

More recycling in countries with low recovery rates: Even with higher global paper consumption in the future, society would need less virgin material than today if recycling rates increased. A 2020 scenario shows that an increase of paper production by 25 per cent could still require less virgin fibre input if the current global level of 53 per cent recycled fibre use is increased to 70 per cent. Paper recovery rates vary greatly between countries. Therefore, efforts to increase recycling in countries with low recovery rates and high consumption growth have particular potential to reduce pressure on natural forests.

Resource efficiency and fairer consumption patterns: More efficient processing and manufacturing can help produce more products with a given amount of wood. Also, the current consumption patterns of rich nations (10 per cent of the world's population consuming 50 per cent of the world's paper) cannot sustainably be followed by developing countries. Richer nations can reduce wasteful paper use, while poorer nations need more paper for education, hygiene and food safety.

Plantations to reduce pressure on natural forests: Even with more frugal use and greater recycling and efficiency, net demand for wood is likely to grow. Maintaining near zero loss of natural forests after 2020, without significant reductions in consumption, would require up to 250 million hectares of new tree plantations by 2050, which is nearly double the amount of plantations today. Therefore, well-managed plantations, particularly on currently degraded land, contributing to restore ecosystems, will play an increasingly important role.

Well-managed forests: Growing demand will also certainly push production further into natural forests. The report indicates that by 2050 up to 25 per cent more forests might be commercially harvested than today. Forest certification will continue to be an important tool to improve forest management practices via a market driven mechanism.

The energy challenge: By 2050, annual wood demand for energy could reach 6-8 billion m3, which would require more than twice the wood removed for all uses today. This clearly poses a challenge for sustainable land-use planning. WWF sees an important role for bioenergy to provide diverse alternatives to fossil fuels, plus new incomes and increased energy security for rural communities. However, for these benefits to be realized, its use must be carefully planned, implemented and monitored for environmental and social sustainability. Badly managed bioenergy production can destroy valuable ecosystems, undermine food and water security, harm rural communities and prolong wasteful energy consumption.

Humanity will likely use more wood in more ways in the coming decades. Given the massive projected increase in wood and paper demand, forest-based industries are key to conserving forests. For wood to play a positive role in a "green" economy based on renewable resources, production forests need to be managed to the highest ecological and social standards, and the use and recovery of wood products must become more efficient.

WWF Event at Paperworld 2013

2013-01-21

At this year's international paper industry conference Paperworld 2013 in Frankfurt, the WWF International Paper team hosts a seminar about WWF scenarios and tools to achieve a sustainable future.

WWF's new Living Forest Report Chapter on wood products shows that paper production and consumption is likely to double by 2050. How to ensure this will be done sustainably?

Discuss with WWF at Paperworld, Messezentrum Frankfurt

Monday 28 January 2013 - Halle 3.C, West
(Room "Argument")
10am - 11am

for more information contact: hbrandlmaier@wwfdcp.org

Boost in climate and forest conservation funding signals increased support for REDD+

2013-01-11

Washington, D.C., 11 January 2013 – REDD+ received a nod of approval this week as the nations of Germany, Norway and Finland announced US$180 million in new funding to the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF -- bit.ly/FCPFnews) . The news was applauded by the global conservation organization WWF as a positive step forward in the conservation of tropical forests and the development of a framework for REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation).

The funds will be primarily used by FCPF to pilot "results-based" efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation through the Carbon Fund. Of the total US$180 million, US$13.6 million from Germany and US$5.3 million from Finland, is earmarked for the Readiness Fund, which will help build the capacity of developing countries to participate in future "results-based" REDD+ efforts.

These new commitments demonstrate recognition that sustainable development in tropical forest countries is an essential part of the overall climate solution. With up to 20% of global carbon emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation, REDD+ remains the single most effective potential mechanism for fighting climate change.

The funding announcement is the latest in a string of financial commitments to REDD+ including last month's announcement from Norway of US$30 million in financing for REDD+ implementation in Vietnam, US$24 million from the UK's International Climate Fund to Colombia for reduction of forest carbon emissions, and the German development bank KfW's financing of US$25 million for results-based emissions reductions in Brazil's Acre state.

"While 'fast start' finance pledged in 2009 through multilateral lending institutions including the World Bank has been slow to reach the ground," said Bruce Cabarle, Leader of WWF's global Forest and Climate Initiative, "WWF recognizes the increasing role that these institutions can play in both capacity building and early action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation while promoting social and environmental benefits.

"WWF applauds Norway, Finland and Germany for taking leadership roles on REDD+ finance," Cabarle added. "We need more REDD+ finance like this flowing to developing countries that are willing to reduce their forest carbon emissions in a transparent and verifiable manner. Increased early action from decision makers to put REDD+ in practice is urgently needed now, if we are to make a real impact on combating climate change."

For more information, please visit: panda.org/forestclimate

Tana River Delta Ramsar Site Status a Plus for Coastal East Africa

2012-11-23

Conservation efforts by WWF and other environmental organizations have continued to forge ahead following Kenya designating the Tana River Delta as a Wetland of International Importance. With the Ramsar Secretariat's announcing that the Tana River Delta is now a Ramsar Site, the 163,600-hectare delta (02°27'S 040°17'E) becomes East Africa's second most important river mouth wetland after the Rufiji Delta in neighbouring Tanzania.

Kenya already has 5 designated Ramsar sites in the Great African Rift Valley, namely lakes Naivasha, Elementaita, Nakuru, Bogoria, and Baringo; providing enhanced tourism, employment for Kenya's tourism sector, vibrant horticultural industry around Lake Naivasha, steam geysers in Lake Bogoria, and Kenya's first sanctuary for the critically endangered black rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park. In total, Kenya's 6 Ramsar Sites cover 265,449 hectares.

The Tana Delta forms an area of rich biodiversity for sea species including fish and prawns, five species of marine turtles. There are a host of terrestrial animals such as the African Elephant, Tana Mangabey, Tana River Red Colobus, and White Collared monkey. In addition to more than 600 plant species, the Tana Delta is a home for many bird species and is a critical transit point for migratory water birds such as waders, gulls and terns.

According to Coastal East Africa Initiative leader Peter Scheren, the importance of the Tana Delta to Coastal East Africa cannot be underscored enough considering the numerous challenges facing the region.

"The Tana Delta is an important ecosystem for Coastal East Africa which continues to face several challenges. Statistics indicate that a mere 10% of the original coastal forests of Eastern Africa remain, fragmented into 400 patches that cover 6,250km² in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. The fact that the Tana Delta is now the latest Ramsar Site in Africa is a boost in efforts to conserve the remaining forest cover and help secure the livelihoods of communities' dependent upon this important ecosystem," noted Mr. Scheren

Currently, over 20 million people live in and along coastal forests and landscapes in eastern Africa. The survival of these people is highly dependent on the availability of basic natural resources such as timber, wood-fuel and charcoal, which are extracted from forests, causing a serious dilemma; their dependency and consequent exploitation of these resources destroying the very basis of their existence. The pressures are rapidly rising as the population is expected to double by 2030 putting a serious and already present strain on the meager natural resources present in Coastal East Africa.

WWF implements several conservation projects at the Kenyan coast including the rehabilitation and protection of the Kaya and Boni Dodori forests, the conservation of sea turtles and livelihood enhancing activities.

By John Kabubu
Communications Officer
WWF Coastal East Africa Initiative

Colombian Amazon gets reprieve from mining; WWF supports precautionary principle for future development

2012-11-21

In August 2012, before leaving the job, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Frank Pearl suspended all administrative processes that would allow mining activities in areas currently protected as part of the Amazon Forest Reserve. Under this resolution, no new requests for area subtraction of forest reserve will move forward until the ministry develops the necessary environmental zoning, planning and management throughout this reserve and sets out the areas for strict protection and sustainable use areas.

While this is a temporary suspension, WWF applauds the ministry for applying the precautionary principle. The precautionary principle is part of Colombia's environmental law and is founded on the need for caution in the absence of certainty. The principle includes two basic elements.
1.The need for decision makers to anticipate harm before it happens, that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or the environment, and in the absence of scientific consensus that the action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof lies with the proponent of the activity.
2.The establishment of an obligation for control measures even in the absence of scientific certainty. The need for control measures increases with both the degree of possible harm and the degree of uncertainty.

What's at stake?
The Amazon Forest Reserve constitutes the largest forest reserve in Colombia, with nine departments and 88 municipalities. The geographic isolation of the Amazon Forest Reserve has contributed to its preservation and made it one of the most important areas of high biodiversity in the country and the world. Sixty different ecosystems have been defined in this region, and they support 674 identified bird species, 158 species of amphibians, 195 species of reptiles, 212 mammals species and 753 fish species.

In addition to biological wealth, the region is also home to other resources of economic value. Mining, both legal and illegal, is a growing threat to biodiversity and the maintenance of critical ecosystem services provided by the region.

The path forward
All decisions and policies on mining should incorporate Environmental Strategic Analysis and Conservation Planning tools that enable the consideration of all potential (direct and indirect) environmental impacts. Such analysis can also help in the formulation of plans to restore areas affected by mining, and reduce potential environmental degradation. The Precautionary Principle should be applied to all the areas defined as Strategic Mining Reserves for the Andean region, the Orinoco and Chocó, where environmental planning and zoning as well as strategic environmental assessments are needed.

WWF's role
The expansion of mining (among other activities) without consideration of environmental factors creates social and environmental risks. Given Colombia's rich biological and cultural heritage, and the compounding effects that climate change can have on the highly vulnerable ecosystems upon which human populations depend, WWF urges restraint. We advocate incorporating environmental consideration at the strategic level of planning and decision-making. WWF will work for adequate protection of areas of high conservation value, dialogue with all stakeholders, developing and testing criteria for identifying "no go zones" in WWF priority ecoregions and elimination of destructive mining practices.

What next?
While the current suspension is welcome news for conservation in the Colombian Amazon, important challenges remain. The same document clarifies that the resolution shall finish "once the environmental planning and zoning of the reserve is concluded," and it is clear which areas must be strictly protected and which can be used under sustainability parameters. According to the Ministry of Environment, this process could take at least two years, though Colombian law states that five years are available to accomplish the job.

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.

The 2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards go to 7 paper producers and 46 paper brands

2012-11-08

Gland, Switzerland - WWF, the world´s largest conservation organisation, is today announcing the winners of the 2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards in the categories "Transparency" and "Best Environmental Performance Paper Brands". WWF praises the transparency of 7 paper producers and the "excellent" environmental performance of 46 paper brands published on WWF´s Check Your Paper database of eco-rated papers.

The WWF Environmental Paper Awards 2012 for "Transparency" go to Arjowiggins Graphic, Lenzing Papier, Metsä Board, Mondi, SCA, Steinbeis Papier and UPM for providing public information on the environmental footprint of the majority of their papers in one or more product categories on WWF´s Check Your Paper website.

The WWF Environmental Paper Awards 2012 for "Best Environmental Performance Paper Brands" go to 46 third-party audited papers that scored at least 90% of achievable scores in WWF´s eco-rating and/or the maximum 5 stars in all performance categories: forest, water and climate. The award-winning 46 brands cover coated, uncoated, newsprint and tissue papers and come from 10 producers/merchants: Arjowiggins Graphic, Lenzing Papier, Mondi, SCA, Steinbeis Papier, UPM, Antalis McNaughton, Kimberly Clark, Leipa and Van Houtum. Details on the Awards can be accessed on http://panda.org/environmentalpaperaward2012

WWF created the WWF Environmental Paper Awards 2012 to give credit to manufacturers and suppliers that post their brands on Check Your Paper, using WWF´s eco-rating method for measuring the environmental footprint of papers. WWF´s Check Your Paper is a global benchmark tool for transparency and understanding the total value chain sustainability of paper. It enables paper producers and merchants to list their products online and buyers to search transparent information on the environmental footprint of pulp and papers.

WWF applauds all producers/merchants who submitted their papers to WWF´s Check Your Paper database for making positive steps towards improving the transparency of the value chains they are part of.
"Supply chain transparency is increasingly a vital tool for more and more buyers of raw materials and finished goods", said Emmanuelle Neyroumande, Manager of WWF International´s global pulp and paper work. "WWF encourages responsible buyers worldwide to choose suppliers who provide transparent information on the environmental footprint of their paper production."

For further information:
Helma Brandlmaier, Senior Advisor Paper Footprint and Market Change, WWF International
tel: +43676842728219 hbrandlmaier@wwfdcp.org

Notes to editors:

WWF´s global database of eco-rated paper products, Check Your Paper, is an important global benchmarking tool for transparency of pulp and paper products. It enables paper producers and merchants to list their products online and buyers to search transparent information on the environmental footprint of pulp and papers.

The tool rates the environmental quality of the paper-making process for a given product, including how well forests supplying fibre are managed, use of recycled fibre, fossil CO2 emissions, waste going to landfills and water pollution from mills. The results posted on the website need to get third party audited by accredited auditors. Search transparent brands on checkyourpaper.panda.org

Check Your Paper provides a single percentage score for a product that indicates the quality of its production in terms of reduced environmental impact. In addition, the star-rating breaks this down into impact mitigation performance specific to forests, climate change and aquatic ecosystems.

In order to earn the maximum five stars in WWF's Check Your Paper, the paper product shall have:

positive impacts on forests, and contain high proportions of post-consumer recycled fibre and/or virgin fibre originating from credibly certified, well managed forests.
reduced contributions to climate change through use of recycled fibre and/or responsible forest management and minimising CO2 emissions from fossil fuels in the manufacturing process, and, indirectly, emissions of CO2 and methane from degrading waste in landfills.
close to zero water pollution through reduction of organic water pollution and reduced water pollution from bleaching, through promotion of unbleached or totally chlorine-free bleached products.

WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, 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.

WWF Urges Oil Company SOCO To Abandon Exploration Plans In Congo National Park

2012-10-18

Why is the profit of a small oil exploration company taking precedence over the safety of thousands of people and the survival of species found nowhere else on earth, WWF asked SOCO in an open letter published today.

Despite a commitment to honest and ethical business and in face of widespread opposition, including from the UK government, SOCO refuses to abandon its exploration plans in Virunga, a World Heritage and Ramsar site.

One of the world's most precious nature reserves, Virunga is home to critically endangered mountain gorillas but its area also encompasses mountains, glaciers and hundreds of species of mammals, some of which are found nowhere else on our planet.

In addition, it is a critical source of local livelihoods. Thirty thousand people depend on a nearby lake, Lake Edward, for their fish, a sustainable use of natural resources that produces as much as US$ 20 million per year of fish. Under SOCO plans, the lake will become a drilling site.

"The preliminary effort (of the oil exploration) seeks to prove that the oil in the ground is worth more than the economic security and safety of 30,000 people and endangered species who depend on this park for their survival," Lasse Gustavsson, Director of Conservation at WWF International wrote in the letter.

"Your company repeatedly stated a commitment to conducting its business in an honest and ethical manner. Please show your leadership and commitment to sustainable development and strong community growth," the letter said.

The letter is addressed to Roger Cagle, Executive Vice President, Deputy CEO of SOCO International. The London-based oil company is currently engaging in the preliminary phases of oil exploration in Virunga National Park,.

"We would like to remind you and your colleagues at SOCO that oil and mining development is prohibited in World Heritage sites, under the World Heritage Convention. The DRC Government is party to the World Heritage Convention and has included the convention in its national constitution," Gustavsson wrote.

"We ask SOCO to choose to do the right thing now by committing to stay out of Virunga National Park," he said.

It is currently against Congolese law to prospect or exploit minerals inside the country's national parks.

SOCO's plans are also being opposed by the United Kingdom government.

Virunga's Block 5, which is 85% owned by FTSE-listed SOCO, is part of the Albertine Graben, an area that has also attracted French oil giant Total.

Experts say tourism in Virunga has the potential to generate direct and indirect revenues over US$ 10 million per year. Oil exploitation, however, would likely lead to direct exportation as crude oil through Uganda, with very limited revenues or jobs for the local economy.

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