Posted on April, 09 2025

Over the coming months, WWF will lend its global brand to the dramatic public art and climate activation, THE HERDS, in a bid to inspire people around the globe to reignite their connection to the natural world and support meaningful climate action, ahead of the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil later this year.

Developed by UK-based not-for-profit company, The Walk Productions, THE HERDS is a collection of life-sized puppets that will traverse a 20,000km route from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle – in an artistic representation of wildlife escaping life-threatening climate impacts, drawing parallels with the many communities around the world already losing their homes to the climate crisis. The project brings together world-leading artists and organisations from both cultural and climate sectors, recognising the need to go beyond the science arguments in order to capture people’s hearts and minds for greater climate action.

Daudi Sumba, Chief Conservation Officer at WWF said: “In such a conflicted and divided world, recognising the commonalities that span cultures and communities across the planet is more important than ever. Public art can connect people on a deeper level to the planetary crises of climate change and nature loss, helping to foster creativity, openness and the courage to change the way we live. 

“Climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably linked; climate change is a major driver of nature’s decline, while biodiversity loss reduces the planet’s ability to heal from climate impacts. It’s a vicious cycle, and it’s moving faster than we are. Climate change is already increasing rates of human-wildlife conflict, forcing wildlife and people out of their homes, and increasing the threat of extinction for species that underpin our lives – making life more difficult for all.

“As THE HERDS stampede across the landscapes, let it be a striking reminder to all who cross its path: that if we continue to let our lives be dependent on fossil fuels and the overconsumption of nature, not only will wildlife lose its home – but so soon will we.”

The collection of wildlife puppets, designed and developed by Ukwanda Puppets and Designs Art Collective in Cape Town and Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zubai, are crafted using principally recycled materials easily available in each territory. In each city, local people will be trained to replicate and animate the puppets in order to take part in the large-scale artistic performances. Audiences along the route will be able to engage with free special performances and public participation workshops designed with world-class dance companies, theatre makers and artists. An accompanying education programme is also planned, to engage schools, families and communities across the world with free resources including open-source puppetry design kits.

With WWF’s presence in over 100 countries across the globe, and its extensive credibility in the climate space, WWF will be leveraging its network to rally local support along the route of the migration, at a time when the deepening threat of climate change could not be more apparent. The year 2024 was the warmest year on record globally, with Arctic sea ice likely reaching its lowest levels in 47 years, just last month, while WWF’s landmark 2024 Living Planet Report reported a drop of 73% on average in wildlife populations since 1970. 

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead said: “Sharing the abundant scientific evidence on the reality of climate change, its impacts and solutions is a vitally important step in getting people’s attention. But this alone won’t drive climate action. Climate change is knocking on all of our doors, and devastating countless communities. More frequent and intense droughts, storms and heat waves, melting glaciers, warming oceans, rising sea levels and rising food costs are wreaking havoc on people’s health, wellbeing, homes and livelihoods.

“The need for an initiative like THE HERDS has never been greater – to cut through the noise, ensuring people have a memorable and visceral reaction to the message behind the art, driving not only climate action but fostering much-needed hope. We have the solutions ready for implementation right now – we just have to do more, do it faster and do it at scale. Technological solutions already exist for more than 70% of today’s emissions, and nature-based solutions underpinned by healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems will be just as key. We need bold leadership to accelerate climate action, and we needed it yesterday.”

Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director of THE HERDS, said: "We’re proud to be partnering with WWF on THE HERDS. Their support not only strengthens our mission, but also shines a spotlight on the vital connection between people, wildlife, and the land. With their involvement we can expand our reach and deepen the impact of our work."

WWF will also be at the COP30 UN climate conference in Brazil from 10 to 21 November 2025, holding governments and businesses to account to deliver on their climate commitments. COP30 will be a moment to significantly advance the role of nature and nature-based solutions in climate negotiations and national action plans, as well as focusing attention on eliminating deforestation and restoring tropical forests.