Climate
Create a climate-resilient and zero-carbon world, powered by renewable energy
Overview

People around the world are calling on leaders to take action on climate change.
Our world is changing faster than anyone predicted. Already, freshwater supplies are shrinking, agricultural yields are dropping, our forests are burning, and rising oceans are more acidic—all, in part, due to a warming climate. As our natural world changes around us, so does our way of life. Coastal home values drop as insurance premiums rise; drought reduces feed for American farmers’ cattle and water for their crops; more pollen and dust in the air aggravates asthma and allergies in kids and adults alike.
At WWF, we believe we can fight this consequential threat and build a safer, healthier and more resilient future for people and nature. We must rethink the way we produce and consume energy, food, and water; protect the world’s forests; and help people prepare for a changing world.
Achieving this future will require action by everyone, and we are already well on our way. People are using their collective voices to demand change. Businesses are making investments in clean energy, already creating local jobs and stronger economies. Communities are redesigning their roads, buildings, airports, and railroads to make them climate resilient. And nations around the world are committed to delivering on a landmark global plan to curb climate change, known as the Paris Agreement.
For decades, WWF has engaged with millions of Americans, leading businesses, and government leaders to prepare for inevitable change and reduce the emissions that drive climate change.
What are thermal emissions and why are they critical to the climate crisis?
Thermal emissions are the greenhouse gases released from the processes of heating and cooling. Here are four things you need to know about them and what WWF is doing to tackle this challenge.

Why It Matters
What WWF Is Doing
To adequately address the climate crisis we must urgently reduce carbon pollution and prepare for the consequences of global warming—which the world is already experiencing—and raise our collective voice for action. Combining global outreach with local expertise, WWF’s focus is on:
Building a Low Carbon USA
WWF believes that strong action on climate change that grows our economy and strengthens our energy security begins with setting ambitious goals. That is why WWF is working with businesses, cities and national governments to set emissions reduction goals aligned what science says is needed. And because that strong low carbon economy needs to be powered by clean and cheap renewable energy, WWF is leading businesses and cities to make it very easy to buy. With innovative strategies and partnerships WWF is building momentum for a low-carbon economy by:
- Helping companies to set and meet science-based targets
- Urging America’s largest companies use their collective purchasing power to scale up renewable energy and bringing those lessons to help cities do the same.
- Challenging all US cities to set ambitious goals, transition toward 100% renewable energy and address local climate threats

Preparing for a Changing World
WWF works with local communities, governments, and others around the world to help people and nature prepare for the many impacts of a changing climate. To do this we:
- Work with communities and governments to understand and prepare for climate change
- Integrate environmental considerations into disaster recovery, reconstruction, and risk reduction
- Study how people’s responses to climate change affect ecosystems and wildlife
- Assess species to determine traits that make them resilient or vulnerable to changes in climate
Delivering on the Promise of the Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is the world’s collective response to addressing climate change in the years to come. Alongside the federal government, America’s cities, states, and businesses are working with world leaders to turn the promise of that agreement into concrete action.
WWF is helping accelerate climate action from national governments, and from cities, states, and businesses to deliver on the ambitious temperature goals of the historic Paris Agreement by:
- Providing financial support to developing countries as an implementing partner of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
- Building a coalition of non-federal actors in the US who remained committed to the Paris Agreement
- Helping transition developing countries to clean energy sources like wind and solar
- Working with companies and cities to switch to 100% renewable energy and harnessing their purchasing power to drive bigger change
- Ensuring that ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation are incorporated into national development plans
- Collaborating with US Latino leaders and communities to raise awareness of climate risks from Latin America to North America
- Curbing climate pollution from international aviation
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation

Forests are nature’s greatest technology for combating climate change: they naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), reducing the amount of this heat-trapping gas in our atmosphere. When forests are not managed responsibly, they release large quantities of C02 into the atmosphere. Deforestation and degradation are the largest sources of C02 emissions after the burning of fossil fuels. Scientists estimate up to 13% of global carbon emissions come from deforestation.
WWF saves forests and fights climate change by:
- Supporting REDD+, which offers financial incentives to developing countries that create and implement strategies to manage and use their forests responsibly.
- Creating multi-million dollar funds to properly manage forests that are designated as protected.
- Working to end illegal logging.
- Ensuring that global climate change agreements reduce forest loss and degradation.
- Helping countries and regions assess the benefits nature provides under different development and climate change scenarios.
Press Releases
- WWF and Partners Announce New Coalition for Climate Action February 19, 2021
- WWF Statement on the US Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement November 04, 2020
Projects
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Biogenic Carbon Footprint Calculator for Harvested Wood Products
WWF, in partnership with Quantis, Intl., has developed a free, user-friendly calculator to calculate biogenic emissions for a variety of forest-based products. The calculator's aim is to support companies in the dynamic accounting of biogenic emissions of wood-based products, improving the quality of their greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and facilitating decision-making around the sustainable sourcing, design, and use of those products. This calculator is a beta test and, if useful and aligned with forthcoming Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidance, will be updated and improved.
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Hariyo Ban: Mitigating and adapting to climate change in Nepal
A 10-year program called Hariyo Ban partners with local community groups, government agencies, NGOs and the private sector to build capacity and promote strategic approaches for biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation in Nepal.
Publications
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The Potential for Seaweed as Livestock Feed, Workshop Report 2020
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Rising to Resilience
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Connected & Flowing - A Renewable Future for Rivers, Climate, and People
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Living Planet Report 2020
Experts
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Nikhil Advani Director, Climate, Communities and Wildlife
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Shaun Martin Vice President, Ecological and Social Resilience
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Ryan Bartlett Director, Climate Risk Management & Resilience
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Elisabeth Kruger Manager, Arctic Wildlife
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Chris Weber Global Climate and Energy Lead Scientist, Global Science
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Anita van Breda Senior Director, Environment and Disaster Management
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Marty Spitzer Senior Director, Climate and Renewable Energy
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Mariana Panuncio-Feldman Senior Director, International Climate Cooperation
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Christa Anderson Research Fellow, Global Science
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Rebecca Shaw Chief Scientist and Senior Vice President, Global Science
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David Kuhn Lead, Corporate Resilience
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Tim Juliani Director, US Corporate Climate Engagement
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Brad Schallert Director, Carbon Market Governance and Aviation
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Daniel Riley Director, International Corporate Climate Partnerships
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Manjyot Kaur Ahluwalia Senior Program Officer, US and International Climate Cooperation
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Brent Loken Global Food Lead Scientist, Global Science