WWF news
UK government’s energy vision: our response
We’ve been busy looking at the government’s new vision for the UK energy system in 2050, published yesterday. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) report, 2050 Pathways Analysis, outlines a number of ways to meet the country’s binding 2050 target for reducing greenhouse gases.
Our sincere apologies for UN climate meeting incident
WWF has apologised unreservedly for the unofficial actions of an employee who was involved in an incident at the June meeting of parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is one of a series of meetings where a global agreement on tackling climate change is being negotiated.
Dam plans must change to save rare giant fish
We want to see a postponement of plans to develop new hydropower dams on the Mekong River in south-east Asia– at least until there’s been a comprehensive assessment of all potential impacts. We’re particularly concerned that wild populations of the iconic Mekong giant catfish will be driven to extinction if the dams go ahead.
Why tackling global warming is more urgent than ever
Did the UK’s cold weather last winter make you wonder if climate change is really happening? Wonder no more. The period from March to May this year was actually the hottest, globally, since records began in 1880. The extent of sea ice melt in the Arctic is hitting a new high too. It’s all a timely reminder that we need urgent action to slow the carbon emissions that fuel global warming.
Tiger plans leap forward at Bali
In an important meeting in Bali last week, the 13 countries with tiger populations laid the groundwork for world leaders to come together at the vital Tiger Summit in Russia this September .
Cod can recover – if we control bycatch
Depleted North Sea cod stocks have been recovering recently, thanks to a particularly successful breeding season in 2005 and subsequent limits on catching those fish as they’ve grown. But the recovery is threatened by trawlers catching too many cod while fishing for other species. Steps must be taken to reduce cod catches further, to let stocks properly recover.
New oil drilling off Greenland poses unacceptable risk
An Edinburgh-based oil firm, Cairn Energy, has begun drilling in the Arctic waters off Greenland, despite huge risks of environmental damage, as highlighted by the Gulf of Mexico spill. We want all new oil drilling to be halted while the causes and impacts of the BP disaster are investigated.
Brazil’s forest law under threat
Dangerous proposals to weaken forest protection in Brazil have moved a step closer. The Brazilian Congress’s Special Committee on Forest Law Changes has voted in favour of amendments that could allow dramatic increases in deforestation. We’re not alone in thinking this is a bad move.
EU officially says no to illegal timber
Huge areas of the world’s forests could be saved thanks to a vote in the European Parliament today. The EU has now officially approved a new law that will keep illegal wood and wood products out of the European market.
UK climate targets achievable – but government must act fast!
The UK’s Committee on Climate Change – the government’s advisory body on global warming – has concluded that a big step change in policies is needed if the UK is to hit its legal emissions targets under the Climate Change Act. But it says a 42% carbon cut can be achieved by 2020 – and we're urging the government to adopt this target so the UK can lead the way internationally.
New Amazon threat must be resisted
The Amazon rainforest is facing an urgent new threat as we speak. The Brazilian government is under huge pressure right now from agribusiness and landowners to drastically weaken the law that protects the country’s forests.
G20: climate backslide
The latest G20 meeting has ended with only a few brief words about the green economy and a recycled statement on fossil fuel subsidies. It’s not enough. Sustainable economic recovery will need serious commitments on climate change, climate finance and support for low-carbon fuels.
G8 and G20 must make commitments on emissions and fuel subsidies
Did you know that oil companies like BP are still being subsidised with public money? We want world leaders meeting this weekend in Canada to reinforce their previous pledge to phase out those subsidies. We need to see emissions cuts and support for clean renewable energy back at the heart of serious G8 and G20 talks.
IWC must strengthen control of whaling
We’re extremely disappointed that negotiations at the 62nd International Whaling Commission meeting seem to have broken down without resolving key issues. But at least the current commercial whaling moratorium remains in place.
‘Name a polar bear’ competition – extended
Here’s a great competition for anyone aged 7-14. Canon, our long-term conservation partner, is offering youngsters across Europe a chance to suggest a name for a real live polar bear – and win a Canon camera too. And the competition's been extended to the end of August - so you still have time to win!
Sunday Times apologises for unfair Amazon climate story
The Sunday Times has apologised and withdrawn an article published earlier this year that alleged the estimates of climate change threat to the Amazon were based on an “unsubstantiated claim” in a WWF report.
Decarbonising power
To hit the UK’s overall target of 80% carbon reductions by 2050, it’s vital to start cutting CO2 emissions from energy production. The power sector – especially coal and gas plants – will have to be largely decarbonised by 2030. So we welcome the Committee on Climate Change’s new recommendations to the government.
EU to ban illegal timber at last
We’re very pleased to see that, after years of lobbying by WWF, other environmental organisations and many timber traders, Europe has finally reached a political agreement on a new law to halt the trade in illegal timber.
WWF on Gulf of Mexico oil disaster
Like you, we’re appalled by the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – and deeply concerned about its effects on people and wildlife in the area. But as well as acknowledging the damage (which we’ll detail below), we want this to be a turning point. It's time for the world to move beyond old fossil fuel technology – away from dirty, dangerous oil extraction towards a cleaner, sustainable low-carbon future.
WWF at the World Expo
WWF is the only international non-governmental conservation organisation with its own venue at the World Expo 2010 in China.