Reducing poverty
Reducing poverty by improved environmental management
WWF has long insisted that tackling the world's poverty is impossible without managing and caring for the environment. The British government also recognises this link, particularly in the context of climate change, which will disproportionately hit the poorest and the disadvantaged.
That is why the Department for International Development (DFID) is contributing nearly £11 million over three years to WWF's portfolio of overseas work. This funding is helping to ensure that the people suffering most from the effects of poverty can build a meaningful future for themselves, their families and their communities.
In five Latin American countries, for example, we are working with 31 forest-based indigenous communities to set best practice in reducing poverty through responsible environmental forest management. As a result, forest product sales totalling more than £500,000 have been achieved in Bolivia, while in Peru 35,000 hectares of FSC-certified forests have been established under ownership and management by indigenous people.
"This opens the door to many other owners who can now manage their forests sustainably," said Dominic White, WWF's government aid agency manager. "Peru has the second largest tropical forest in Latin America, and as a result of our work with DFID, it can now offer the world wood-based products without damaging the Amazon region."
In Peru, five concessionary companies, five indigenous communities and one association of Brazil-nut growers now hold FSC certificates, which enable them to enter lucrative European markets where the trend is to purchase only certified wood products. "This will make a real difference to their incomes because they rely entirely on the forests for their livelihoods," Dominic White explained.
Meanwhile, we have also secured €1.5 million from the European Commission for our work in Papua New Guinea and India. In both countries we are aiming to reduce the impact of polluted water, thereby improving the social and economic lives of some 90,000 people who rely on rivers and river basins for their basic needs.
"This is continued recognition that WWF is a legitimate and successful player in international development initiatives," declared Dominic White. "The work we are doing is at the very heart of our mission to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature."
Find out more about about WWF’s partnership with DFID
Related links
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
FSC is an international organisation that lays down strict standards for forest management. Its members are drawn from environmental and social groups, the timber and forestry profession, indigenous people's organisations, responsible corporations, community forestry groups and forest product certification organisations.
Over the past 14 years, more than 90 million hectares of forest around the world have been certified to FSC standards.