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Climate
What we are doing
The WWF climate program is a team of dedicated experts working worldwide to examine the effects of climate change and develop, implement and advocate for solutions that protect people, places and wildlife. To date, WWF has led a variety of adaptation and resilience projects around the world, published a leading text on climate change adaptation, Buying Time: A Users Manual to Building Resistance and Resilience to Climate Change in Natural Systems and created a climate adaptation training program called Climate Camp, in which staff from NGOs and governments come together to share ideas and information for developing new approaches to climate change. In its first year, more than 130 people from 30 countries attended.
Through four key initiatives WWF is moving individuals, businesses, and leaders -- local, national and international -- towards responsible energy and environmental choices while enhancing the ability of ecosystems to resist and recover from the environmental stresses of climate change and increasing protection of forests.
Spitsbergen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands (NO), Norway.
© WWF-Canon / Sylvia RUBLI
Shaping policy through science
Science indicates that steep reductions in greenhouse gases, on the order of 60-80 percent by 2050, are needed to avert a dangerous warming of 2 degrees Celsius. To accomplish this, WWF champions domestic and international policies that significantly increase the use of energy from renewable sources, encourage the implementation of energy efficient technologies and processes, and limit carbon dioxide pollution. Read more.
Tropical Rainforest Moist forest western Congo Basin Gabon
© WWF-Canon / Martin HARVEY
Reducing carbon through forest programs
Deforestation accounts for roughly 20 percent of all global emissions. Activities such as cutting and burning of Brazil's Amazon, which alone contains 70 billion tons of carbon, makes it one of the largest carbon dioxide emitters in the world. In the world's largest forests - from the Amazon and Congo to the Russian Far East – WWF works to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. We are building stronger conservation programs that will end deforestation and provide financial incentives for developing countries to conserve their forests. Read more
Corals become "bleached" when water temperatures rise too high and are sustained for too long. Fiji
© WWF-Canon / Cat HOLLOWAY
Developing and implementing adaptation plans for high risk ecosystems
The vulnerabilities of communities and ecosystems are intrinsically linked, just as is their resilience potential. Climate resilience, also known as adaptation, is the ability of ecosystems to withstand the effects of climate change. To protect ecosystems and their natural resources, WWF works with communities worldwide to prepare for the short- and long-term impacts of climate change. Read more.
"From Coal to Clean" Delta Power Station, fueled by coal. Mt. Piper, New South Wales, Australia
© WWF-Canon / Adam OSWELL
Helping corporations reduce carbon emissions
Leading corporations are partnering with WWF to establish ambitious targets to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. By 2010, WWF Climate Savers companies will reduce their carbon dioxide pollution by over ten million metric tons each year, the equivalent of taking 2 million cars off the road. By increasing efficiency, Climate Savers companies are saving hundreds of millions of dollars, proving again that protecting the environment makes good business sense. Read more.
More on Climate
News and Updates
WWF Experts
Richard Moss
Vice President and Managing Director for Climate Change
“Climate change and what we do about it is going to transform the world much more rapidly than people realize. It’s my goal to get us moving to a world we will want, not one we’ll regret leaving for our children and grandchildren.”
Climate witness
Van Beacham is a professional fly fishing guide and lives in northern New Mexico. Van has been fishing since he was 6 years old. Over the years he has witnessed many of the effects that warmer temperatures are having on the river systems and the fish that depend on them.
» Read more
» View All Climate Witness Accounts
Expedition Diary
Take a journey with Lara Hansen, WWF's chief climate change scientist, to Fiji, where WWF is studying the effects of climate change