WWF - For a living planet

United Kingdom

The UK government published two guides to sustainable schools, both written by WWF. We were also commissioned by the National College of School Leadership – the organisation responsible for training all school leaders – to look at environmental leadership in schools.

In Northern Ireland WWF led a project involving 48 organisations and government bodies from the Province and the Republic to run a public participation week on freshwater. This included events aimed at schools, businesses, farmers, anglers, decision-makers and the public. The year also saw a review of environmental governance, which recommends the establishment of an Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland - something that WWF has long campaigned for. Meanwhile, in partnership with local and central government, WWF launched a community project to help 100 households reduce their ecological footprint.

WWF, as part of the Corporate Responsibility Coalition, helped influence the new Companies Act, which became law during the year. This legislation updates the governance of companies and their directors, and will mean that top managers have greater responsibilities for the environmental and social performance of their businesses.

WWF worked with the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to persuade the EU to stop all fishing off Rockall Bank in order to protect this fragile habitat for the future. Rockall Bank's ancient coldwater corals, which support hundreds of species such as sponges, starfish, sea urchins, crabs and many young fish, are being destroyed by trawling.

In Wales, WWF Cymru anticipated the election of a coalition government and worked with the main parties to ensure WWF policies were reflected in their manifestos. As a direct result, the new Labour/Plaid Cymru government included an annual 3% CO2 reduction target in its programme.

Vietnam

A team of WWF scientists discovered the world's largest known population of grey-shanked doucs in the forests of Vietnam, increasing the chances that this endangered monkey can be saved from extinction. The animal has a dappled grey body, speckled grey legs and orange face markings.

Papua New Guinea

Expeditions by WWF scientists into unexplored areas of tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea have found eight new species of orchid previously unknown to science, and more than 20 species still to be verified. The discoveries were made in the Kikori region, recognised for its biological importance.

Global

People looking for information about WWF's work around the world will now be able to find it on the Google Earth mapping service. More than 150 WWF projects have been added to the satellite imagery-based product. Among the highlights are giant panda habitats in China, polar bears in the Arctic, and a virtual tour of the Amazon.

Indonesia

WWF reported the birth of four Javan rhinos in Indonesia – a welcome 'baby boom' for a species that may number no more than 60 animals worldwide. Three calves were seen, and signs of the fourth observed, in Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park, a World Heritage Site. Javan rhinos are the rarest of the world's five rhino species and are critically endangered.

Russia

WWF, together with other organisations, nature reserves, newspapers and thousands of teachers, students and volunteers, are participating in the Cedar, the the Tree of Life campaign throughout Russia. Children's art exhibitions have been held in three cities, hundreds of saplings planted, and internet petitions sent to President Putin protesting at logging and other deforestation activities.

Bulgaria and Romania

As Bulgaria and Romania adjust to EU membership, WWF is helping to ensure the highest possible environmental standards are set. In Bulgaria we are providing technical support so that farm work and infrastructure development are sensitive to nature and aid people's prosperity. And in Romania we are helping with rural development plans to improve the environment and land management.