World Wide Fund for Nature

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**Organizational History and Structure**
– Founded in 1961 in Switzerland as the World Wildlife Fund.
– Renamed to World Wide Fund for Nature in 1986.
– Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld was the first president.
– Operates with a board, Executive Team, and National Council.
– Scientists and conservation experts conduct research for WWF.

**Conservation Initiatives and Funding**
– Invested over $1 billion in conservation initiatives since 1995.
– Funding breakdown: 65% from individuals and bequests, 17% from government sources, 8% from corporations in 2020.
– Key focus areas: food, climate, freshwater, wildlife, forests, and oceans.
– Publishes Living Planet Report every two years since 1998.
– Notable campaigns include Earth Hour and Debt-for-nature swap.

**Collaboration and Partnerships**
– Collaborates with NGOs, governments, businesses, scientists, and local communities.
– Works on global issues like biodiversity loss and unsustainable resource use.
– Engages in public campaigns to influence decision-makers.
– Partnerships with corporations like Coca-Cola, Lafarge, Carlos Slims, and IKEA.
– Received €56 million (US$80 million) from corporations in 2010.

**Controversies and Disputes**
– Controversies include allegations of cooperation with corporations like Monsanto.
– Accusations of habitat destruction through eco-tourism and human rights abuses by paramilitaries.
– Legal dispute over the WWF initials with World Wrestling Federation.
– Involvement in misrepresenting nuclear power emissions and investments in fossil fuel developments.
– Proposal to sell non-fungible tokens raised concerns about environmental impact.

**Environmental Education and Advocacy**
– Conducted the Environmental Educators Initiative in China from 1997 to 2007.
– Thousands of teachers trained in environmental education.
– Influenced Ministry of Education’s guidelines for public school environmental education.
– Advocates for forest conservation, sustainable energy sources, and wildlife protection.
– Engages in cultural initiatives like music collaborations for conservation awareness.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a Swiss-based international non-governmental organization founded in 1961 that works in the field of wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment. It was formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States. WWF is the world's largest conservation organization, with over five million supporters worldwide, working in more than 100 countries and supporting around 3,000 conservation and environmental projects. They have invested over $1 billion in more than 12,000 conservation initiatives since 1995. WWF is a foundation with 65% of funding from individuals and bequests, 17% from government sources (such as the World Bank, DFID, and USAID) and 8% from corporations in 2020.

World Wide Fund for Nature
AbbreviationWWF
Formation29 April 1961; 63 years ago (1961-04-29)
Founders
TypeInternational NGO
Purpose
HeadquartersRue Mauverney 28
Gland, Vaud, Switzerland
Region
Worldwide
Methods
  • Lobbying
  • Research
  • Consultancy
President
Adil Najam
Director General
Kirsten Schuijt
Revenue
Increase US$433 million (2022)
Websitewwf.panda.org
worldwildlife.org (US)
^ b: Also the WWF's first president.

WWF aims to "stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature." The Living Planet Report has been published every two years by WWF since 1998; it is based on a Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculation. In addition, WWF has launched several notable worldwide campaigns, including Earth Hour and Debt-for-nature swap, and its current work is organized around these six areas: food, climate, freshwater, wildlife, forests, and oceans.

WWF has faced criticism for its corporate ties and for supporting conservation measures that have resulted in violent conflict with local people. WWF is part of the Steering Group of the Foundations Platform F20, an international network of foundations and philanthropic organizations.


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