World Wildlife Fund

December 2009

Emerging Leaders: How the Developing World is Starting a New Era of Climate Change Leadership (PDF, 420KB)
There is a widespread belief that developing countries do not take climate change seriously, are not taking steps to reduce emissions and will be an obstacle to reaching a new global agreement to stop climate change. In reality, these countries are not only taking action to reduce their own emissions, but many of them are also playing a constructive role in the international climate negotiations. This paper focuses on five of the most dynamic emerging economies – Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa – examining the current trends in GHG emissions in these countries, the actions underway to mitigate climate change impacts, the forces driving these efforts, and the potential opportunities to support further emission reductions.

November 2009

Scorecards on best and worst policies for a green new deal (PDF, 755KB)
In a preliminary analysis we evaluated the climate policies of the G20 plus several other important countries for their green effects, economic effects and the potential for outreach to other countries. This report presents a simple overview using scorecards to demonstrate the best policies implemented by governments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, have other environmental benefits and, at the same time, are good for the economy. The paper also presents worst policies through which governments increase emissions and incur a cost to the economy. The scorecards of the best and worst policies can be seen as good and bad examples of policy. They present key characteristics, keys to success, potential pitfalls, and identify additional areas for improvement. See also Climate friendly policies pay off, report shows, press release (5 November 2009) from WWF International.

November 2009

Major Tipping Points in the Earth's Climate System and Consequences for the Insurance Sector (PDF, 1.3MB) Executive Summary
The report focuses on four phenomena and/or regions where climate change may push the Earth system past tipping points with significant impacts within this century: sea level rise, particularly along the northeast U.S. coast; shifts in the Indian summer monsoon combined with the melting of Himalayan glaciers; Amazon die-back and drought; and shift in aridity in southwest North America. The report was produced by WWF and Allianz SE. The authors are Tim Lenton (UEA/Tyndall Centre), Anthony Footitt (UEA/Tyndall Centre), and Andrew Dlugolecki (Andlug Co). See also the press release: Climate Change Puts Trillions of Dollars in Assets at Risk Along U.S. Coasts (November 23, 2009)

Learn more about the Climate Tipping Points with this interactive tool

Aprenda más sobre los Puntos Críticos del Clima, con esta herramienta interactiva

October 2009

The Greater Mekong and Climate Change: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Development at Risk (PDF, 5.78MB)
The Greater Mekong region, is one of the most biologically diverse in the world, is already strongly affected by climate change. Already sea level rise is threatening the region’s coastal communities and changes to the climate are stressing ecosystems. Land is being lost in coastal zones, glacial melting in the Himalayas may impact the region’s major river flows, and wetlands will either dry up or flood out. A lack of immediate action will come at great cost to the region. See also Climate change in the Mekong, press release (23 October 2009) from WWF International.

October 2009

Climate Solutions 2: Low-Carbon Re-Industrialisation (PDF, 8.15MB)
An analysis prepared for WWF by Climate Risk—a company known for its work on climate change for global insurers and infrastructure providers. The report puts timetables to the industrial transformations needed to limit global carbon emissions to below the 2˚C level scientists identify as presenting unacceptable risks of runaway climate change. The report concludes that long-term benefits will be immense if we respond quickly to the climate crisis. See also Deadlines loom for creating new economy to avoid climate catastrophe, press release (19 October 2009) from WWF International.

August 2009

Arctic Climate Feedbacks: Global Implications (PDF, 11.1MB) Also: Executive Summary
This report provides a comprehensive look at how human-induced climate change is affected the Arctic earlier than expected. This assessment of the most recent science shows that numerous arctic climate feedbacks will make climate change more severe than indicated by other recent projections, including those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment report (IPCC 2007). This report outlines how climate change is already destabilizing important arctic systems and the impacts of these changes on the Earth’s climate system. See also the press release: Warming In The Arctic Could Have Far-Reaching Consequences For U.S. And Planet (September 02, 2009) and Questions and Answers

July 2009

G8 Climate Scorecards: 2009. Climate performance of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom and United States of America. Background information for China, Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa. (PDF, 1.8MB)
Prepared by Ecofys for Allianz and WWF.
The annual G8 Climate Scorecard analyzes the policies of the G8 countries along a variety of metrics, including reduction (or growth) of greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, percentage of the country’s energy portfolio that is derived from renewable sources and investments in clean energy technology. The analysis shows that action is underway in all countries but it is by far insufficient to keep the planet below the danger threshold of a 2°C rise of average global temperature above pre-industrial levels. See also the press release: U.S. Lags Behind G8 Nations in Growing Clean Energy Economy, Reducing Emissions (July 01, 2009)

June 2009

A Copenhagen Climate Treaty: Version 1.0. A Proposal for an Amended Kyoto Protocol and a new Copenhagen Protocol by Members of the NGO Community. Drafted by Greenpeace, WWF, IndyACT – the League of Independent Activists, Germanwatch, David Suzuki Foundation, National Ecological Centre of Ukraine and expert individuals from around the world.

• Legal Text (PDF, 371KB)
  This document is a blueprint for a legally binding Copenhagen agreement. It outlines what the agreement should look like; it is the actual treaty text. This document will serve as the benchmark for governments negotiating a new climate deal this year. This text along with the Narrative (see below) took some of the world’s most experienced climate NGOs almost a year to write and covers all the main elements needed to provide the world with a fair and ambitious agreement that keeps climate change impacts below the unacceptable risk levels identified by most scientists.
• Narrative (PDF, 622KB)
  The Narrative document is a guide for the Copenhagen agreement proposal. It gives a comprehensive overview of the agreement, consisting of a Copenhagen Protocol and amendment of the Kyoto Protocol. The document demonstrates how major differences between rich and poor nations can be overcome and incorporates mechanisms and institutions for a comprehensive global climate agreement. 

See also the press release, WWF, Other NGOs Draft Benchmark Copenhagen Climate Treaty (9 June 2009)

May 2009

Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems, People and Societies at Risk (PDF, 4.51MB)
This report sets out the full extent of the threats to the Coral Triangle region of the Pacific Ocean and proposes solutions to the challenges facing the area and its people. Based on a thorough consideration of the climate, biology, economics and social characteristics of the region, it shows why these challenges are increasing, and how unchecked climate change will ultimately undermine and destroy ecosystems and livelihoods in the Coral Triangle. See also the summary report and the press release, WWF Study Says Climate Change Could Displace Millions In Asia's Coral Triangle (13 May 2009)

April 2009 - Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

2 Degrees is Too Much: Impact of 2 degrees Celsius Global Warming on Antarctic Penguins (PDF, 1.26MB)

Antarctic Penguins and Sea Ice (PDF, 1.67KB)

Antarctic Climate Change in the 20th and 21st centuries (PDF, 34KB)

March 2009

Adapting Water Management: A Primer on Coping With Climate Change (PDF, 3.64MB)
This primer by John H. Matthews and Tom Le Quesne is a guide to some of the basic issues surrounding water management under rapid climate change. The report is part of the WWF Water Security Series of primers. See also the WWF Update (19 March 2009) on World Water Day, 22 March 2009.

March 2009

WWF Expectations for the Copenhagen Climate Deal 2009 (PDF, 217KB)
The 15^th annual meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change takes place in late 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.  The parties must reach a just, science-based and effective global climate deal.  This document, from WWF International, summarizes WWF’s specific expectations for the agreement.  

March 2009

Snapshot on WWF's work with climate change (PDF 511KB)

January 2009

American Leadership for the Global Climate Crisis (PDF, 219KB)
Issue brief that discusses several key areas where U.S. policy should be reshaped, both domestically and internationally, to address climate change. This is one in a series of papers examining in greater detail some of the issues raised in the Greenprint, WWF’s conservation agenda for the new administration.

January 2009

Getting Ready for REDD: Toward an Effective and Equitable Policy on International Forest Carbon (PDF, 218KB)
Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) must be part of any serious policy to address the climate crisis, while at the same time respecting other forest values. Strong support for REDD should be built into US domestic climate legislation and should be a pillar of renewed US engagement in international negotiations within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This paper summarizes the principles that should guide REDD policies and provides a set of specific policy recommendations.

January 2009

McKinsey Report: Pathways to a Low-Carbon Economy (PDF 6.83 MB)
Discussion of more than 200 opportunities, spread across ten sectors and twenty-one geographical regions, that have the potential to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, a reduction of 70 percent from the business as usual scenario. See press release, McKinsey Study Outlines Path to New, Green Economy (January 26, 2009).

October 2008

2^o Is Too Much! Impacts of 2 degrees Celsius global warming on Antarctic Penguins (PDF 1.27 MB)
A new study commissioned by WWF which combines state-of-the art climate models with latest scientific knowledge on penguin ecology clearly demonstrates that Antarctic penguins are in jeopardy. The research shows that 50% of the colonies of the iconic Emperor penguin and 75% Adelie penguin colonies face marked decline or disappearance if global temperature is allowed to rise 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels. 2°C global warming could be a reality in less than 40 years; reduced sea ice coverage and thickness would make it increasingly difficult for some penguins to hunt and to breed. See press release, Plight Of The Penguins: WWF Report Shows Climate Change Likely To Imperil Penguin Populations (October 10 2008).

April 2008

Arctic Climate Impact Science — an update since ACIA

Cover (PDF 1.83MB)

Report (PDF 1.18MB)

Climate change is having a greater and faster impact on the Arctic than previously thought, according to a new study by World Wildlife Fund (WWF). See press release, Climate Change Hitting Arctic Faster, Harder (April 24 2008).

December 2007

Antarctica Penguins and Climate Change
A WWF overview shows that the four populations of penguins that breed on the Antarctic continent are under escalating pressure and facing an extremely tough battle to adapt to the unprecedented rate of climate change. See press release, Penguins in Peril as Climate Warms, WWF (Dec 10, 2007)

December 2007

The Amazon's Vicious Cycles: Drought and Fire in the Greenhouse
The WWF report reveals the dramatic consequences for the local and global climate as well as the impacts on people’s livelihoods in South America. See press release, Climate Change Speeds Up Amazon's Destruction, Says WWF (Dec 05, 2007).

December 2007

Breaking Climate Records 2007
The overview shows record lows for sea ice cover in the Arctic, some of the worst forest fires ever seen and record floods. See press release, Record Breaking Year for Climate, says WWF - Opening Statement at UNFCCC Climate Change Summit, Bali, Indonesia 3-14 Dec (Dec 03, 2007).

November 2007

Climate Change in Indonesia - Implications for humans and nature
Climate change impacts on Indonesia, people and nature

September 2007

Your Climate, Your Future
The WWF Climate Change Team has also developed a comprehensive educational curriculum that will elevate students' knowledge of the issue and spur dialogue about what each of us can do to make a difference.

June 2007

Defending Nature against Climate Change: Adapting Conservation in WWF’s Priority Regions (PDF, 2.54 MB)
In 2006, WWF hosted Climate Camp, a week-long opportunity for our field staff to learn more about climate change and what they can do about it. The goal of the week was to develop strategies to address climate change in priority places, from coastal regions to alpine mountains to tropical forests, where climate change can already be seen. This folder presents the project designs developed over the course of that week.

May 2007

Making Energy-Efficiency Happen: From Potential to Reality (PDF, 801KB) 
By 2020, we can achieve at least a 20 percent energy-efficiency improvement worldwide. WWF's May 2007 report outlines what the governments of the G8 plus 5 countries can do to save energy and reduce climate change - while promoting their energy security with sustainable economic growth. See press release, Energy Efficiency is Fastest, Cheapest, Easiest Way for G8 to Cut Emissions (For Release: May 29, 2007).

May 2007

Climate Solutions: WWF's Vision for 2050 (PDF, 2.12MB)
This WWF report seeks to answer the question: "Is it technically possible to meet the growing global demand for energy by using clean and sustainable energy sources and technologies that will protect the global climate?" See press release, WWF Report: Possible to Meet Energy Demand and Stop Global Warming (For Release: May 15, 2007).

May 2007

Whales in Hot Water - The Impact of a Changing Climate on Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
The report — Whales in hot water? — highlights the growing impacts of climate change on cetaceans. They range from changes in sea temperature and the freshening of the seawater because of melting ice and increased rainfalls, to sea level rise, loss of icy polar habitats and the decline of krill populations in key areas. See press release, Whales in Hot Water: Global Warming's Effect on World's Largest Creatures (For Release: May 21, 2007).

November 2006

The Global Status Report: Bird Species and Climate Change
This WWF report finds a clear and escalating pattern of climate change impacts on bird species around the world.

October 2006

WWF/Allianz Group Report - Climate Change and Insurance: An Agenda for Action in the United States (PDF, 1.01MB)
This report calls on the insurance industry to do more to address the growing impact of climate change-induced damages. See press release, Climate Change Poses Serious Risks to Insurers and their Customers, According to New Report (Oct 10, 2006).

January 2005

2°C is Too Much
WWF believes the global average temperature rise above pre-industrial levels should be kept well below 2°C (3.6°F). But what would a full 2°C global rise mean for the Arctic?

December 2004

Extreme Weather: Does Nature Keep Up?
Part I (PDF, 3.4M) | Part II (PDF, 1.6M) | Part III (PDF, 795k)
Part IV (PDF, 1.3M) | Part V (PDF, 97k)
Observed responses of species and ecosystems to changes in climate and extreme weather events: many more reasons for concern.

Ranking Power: Scorecards for Electricity Companies (PDF, 618k)
A report by WWF shows that the power sector, the biggest single contributor to climate change, is failing to act responsibly in the face of the greatest threat confronting the world in the 21st century. See press release, Power Companies Fail To Chart Clear Course To Combat Climate Change (Nov 30, 2004).

November 2003

Going, Going, Gone! Climate Change & Global Glacier Decline(PDF, 267k) 
This documents how global warming is melting glaciers in every region of the world, putting millions of people at risk from floods, droughts and lack of drinking water. 

November 2003

Power Switch: Impacts of Climate Policy on the Power Sector (PDF, 895k) 
This report details how some of the world's largest power companies are facing a major financial threat and could face costs equivalent to over 10 percent of 2002 earnings if they fail to take steps to prepare for upcoming global warming regulation.

September 2003

User's Manual for Building Resistance and Resilience to Climate Change in Natural Systems (PDF, 1.11M) 
The report presents methods for building ecosystem resistance and resilience to climate change for natural resource managers.

September 2003

No Place To Hide: Effects of Climate Change on Protected Areas (PDF, 1.12M) 
The report details recent scientific research on global warming and parks. The WWF report shows that climate change impacts are already being observed in many parks worldwide, including in the United States. See press release, Report Finds Global Warming Taking a Toll on Parks - Saving Natural Treasures Demands New Policies on Heat-Trapping Gases (Sep 09, 2003).

April 2003

The Path Towards Carbon Dioxide-Free Power: Switching to Clean Energy (PDF, 353k) 
The report shows how the U.S. power sector can cut carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming nearly 60 percent by 2020 and reduce its dependency on dirty fossil fuels by using available energy technologies and supporting innovative polices.
Appendix (PDF, 381k)

August 2002

Impact of Climate Change on Life in Africa (PDF, 421k) 
outlines the extensive effects of climate change on Africa, and highlights that if carbon pollution continues at current rates, people, animals and plants will suffer serious consequences. As natural resources become scarce or disappear, many African communities will suffer the effects of climate change-induced alterations of agriculture, water supply and disease. At the same time, climate change will exacerbate the already numerous stresses on biodiversity in Africa, possibly even causing some ecosystems to go extinct.

May 2002

Vanishing Kingdom: The Melting Realm of the Polar Bear (PDF, 346k)
WWF Brochure. 6 pages. Summary of a 28-page report, Polar Bears at Risk (also published in May 2002). See also press release: Polar Bears Victims of Inaction on Global Warming (14 May 2002)

May 2002

Polar Bears at Risk (PDF, 375k) 
reviews the impact of climate change on the world's 22,000 polar bears and highlights that human-induced climate change is the number one long-term threat to the survival of the world's largest terrestrial carnivores. This WWF report is a shorter companion to "Polar Bears at Risk." See also press release: Polar Bears Victims of Inaction on Global Warming (14 May 2002)

February 2002

Habitats at Risk: Global Warming and Species Loss in Globally Significant Terrestrial Ecosystems (PDF, 757k) 
is the first study to look specifically at how global warming in the coming decades could impact our most treasured natural habitats - outstanding areas still rich in species and biological distinctiveness. It examines 113 land-based regions of significant size and vegetative surface and finds that huge parts of the world, from the tropics to the poles are at risk.

September 2001

Coral Bleaching and Marine Protected Areas (PDF, 3.5M)
provides scientists, policy makers and park managers with science-based principles for managing protected coral reefs, helping reefs survive and recover from coral bleaching incidents and guiding the location and management of new marine protected areas.

October 2001

Clean Energy: Jobs for America's Future (PDF, 225) 
analyzes the employment, macroeconomic, energy and environmental impacts of implementing a suite of energy efficiency and renewable energy policies.

July 2001

The American Way to the Kyoto Protocol: An Economic Analysis to Reduce Carbon Pollution (PDF 548k)
This report presents a study of policies and measures that could dramatically reduce US greenhouse gas emissions over the next two decades. This portfolio of policies and measures would allow the United States to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol when combined with steps to reduce the emissions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases and land-based CO2 emissions, and the acquisition of a limited amount of allowances internationally. This package would bring overall economic benefits to the US, since lower fuel and electricity bills would more than pay the costs of technology innovation and program implementation. See also the press release: New Report Disproves Bush Claims that Global Warming Treaty Would Hurt U.S. Economy (12 July 2001)

May 2001

Powering America: Myths vs. Facts in the US Energy and Global Warming Debates (PDF, 55k)
Authors: Tellus Institute. 11 pages.

September 2000

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events (PDF, 733k)
This report concludes "with reasonable but no absolute confidence" that human induced climate change is now affecting the geographic pattern, the frequency, and the intensity of extreme weather events. See the press release, Warmer World Intensifies Extreme Weather, 'Natural' Disasters (29 Sep 2000).

August 2000

Global Warming and Terrestrial Biodiversity Decline  (PDF, 1,590k)
Global warming could forever change the tapestry of species in many of the world's unique habitats, and cause the eventual extinction of certain plant and animal species, according to this WWF study. The report shows how global warming could fundamentally alter one third of plant and animal habitats by the end of this century. This is the first study attempting to quantify the possible loss of land-based species on a global scale as a result of global warming. It is also the first worldwide examination of the impact on species in isolated habitats. See press release, 33% of World's Habitat at Risk from Global Warming (30 August 2009).

August 2000

New England's Global Warming Solutions (PDF, 182 8k)
This report prepared for WWF by Tellus Institute in Boston shows that aggressive national policies to cut global warming pollution would likely bring more than 40,000 new jobs and net annual savings of $4.6 billion by 2010 in New England. See also the press release, Environment, Science and Business Leaders Call for Global Warming Plan (17 August 2000)

April 2000

Michigan's Global Warming Solutions (PDF, 475k)
Authors: Stephen Bernow, William Dougherty, Jana Dunbar and Tom Page (Tellus Institute - Resource and Environmental Strategies) with Marshall Goldberg (Economic Research Associates). 48 Pages.

February 2000

Texas Global Warming Solution (PDF, 500k)
Authors: Stephen Bernow, William Dougherty, Jana Dunbar (Tellus Institute - Resource and Environmental Strategies) with Marshall Goldberg (Economic Research Associates). 39 Pages.

February 2000

Florida's Global Warming Solutions (PDF, 269k)
Authors: Stephen Bernow, Karlynn Cory, William Dougherty, Max Duckworth, Sivan Kartha and Michael Ruth (Tellus Institute - Resource and Environmental Strategies) with Marshall Goldberg (Economic Research Associates). 34 Pages.

June 1999
Turning Up the Heat: How Global Warming Threatens Life in the Sea  (PDF, 967 kb)

The report is written by Amy Mathews-Amso and Ewann A. Berntson of the Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI).  Rising global temperatures are disrupting life in the oceans from the tropics to the poles and undermining the future survival of a wide variety of species.  The report concludes that global warming could be the knock-out punch for many species which are already under stress from over-fishing and habitat loss. See also press release, Experts report widespread global warming impacts on world oceans.