Alcoholic Vervet Monkeys! – Weird Nature – BBC animals

In the Caribbean, Vervet Monkeys have developed a taste for alcohol and can regularly be spotted stealing cocktails from humans on the beach. Brilliant wildlife video from BBC animal show ‘Weird Nature’.

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Triggered at line # 603 FeedWordPress version: 2009.1112 MagpieRSS version: 2009.0725 WordPress version: 2.9 PHP version: 5.2.42-servage24 SyndicatedPost::insert_new::_wp_id: array(3) { ["$this->_wp_id"]=> int(0) ["$dbpost"]=> array(17) { ["post_title"]=> string(40) "Western gray whale spotted in the Thames" ["post_content"]=> string(6869) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it\'s too late for these critically endangered whales.\" The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href=\"http://www.thelast130.org\">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href=\"http://www.thelast130.org\">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href=\"javascript:void(location.href=\'mailto:\'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+\'?\')\">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href=\"javascript:void(location.href=\'mailto:\'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+\'?\')\">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href=\"javascript:void(location.href=\'mailto:\'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+\'?\')\">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor\'s notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world\'s largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href=\"http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/\">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world\'s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We\'re working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href=\"http://www.wwf.org.uk\">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href=\"http://www.walktheplank.co.uk\">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " ["post_excerpt"]=> string(6870) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it\'s too late for these critically endangered whales.\" The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href=\"http://www.thelast130.org\">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href=\"http://www.thelast130.org\">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href=\"javascript:void(location.href=\'mailto:\'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+\'?\')\">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href=\"javascript:void(location.href=\'mailto:\'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+\'?\')\">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href=\"javascript:void(location.href=\'mailto:\'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+\'?\')\">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor\'s notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world\'s largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href=\"http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ \">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world\'s largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We\'re working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href=\"http://www.wwf.org.uk\">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href=\"http://www.walktheplank.co.uk\">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " ["epoch"]=> array(3) { ["issued"]=> int(1328720400) ["created"]=> NULL ["modified"]=> int(1328720400) } ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2012-02-08 17:00:00" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2012-02-08 17:00:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-02-08 17:00:00" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2012-02-08 17:00:00" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["ping_status"]=> string(6) "closed" ["guid"]=> string(53) "tag:www.wwf.org.uk://449c5fd91eb772e9532ea694b135e506" ["meta"]=> array(6) { ["syndication_source"]=> string(31) "Press and media centre RSS feed" ["syndication_source_uri"]=> string(21) "http://www.wwf.org.uk" ["syndication_feed"]=> string(69) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/rss/rss.cfm?9274C9FA-D618-BE9A-A54070AFA5DB98F2" ["syndication_feed_id"]=> string(2) "23" ["syndication_permalink"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5661" ["syndication_item_hash"]=> string(32) "57c9627fb8d067a39f74112832516bc6" } ["tags_input"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(0) "" } ["post_author"]=> int(62) ["post_category"]=> array(2) { [0]=> int(119) [1]=> int(204) } ["post_pingback"]=> bool(false) } ["$this"]=> object(SyndicatedPost)#65 (10) { ["item"]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(40) "Western gray whale spotted in the Thames" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5661" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(6836) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href="http://www.walktheplank.co.uk">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-08" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(6836) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. 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With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href="http://www.walktheplank.co.uk">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-08" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(6836) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href="http://www.walktheplank.co.uk">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " } [1]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(44) "WWF: comment on KPMG renewable energy report" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5659" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1816) "Commenting on the news today that KPMG have decided not to release a report criticising the cost of renewable sources of energy*, Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF-UK, said: "The whole issue of energy bills and renewable energy has been whipped up into a media storm over recent months, with scant regard to the real evidence base. The Daily Mail has run three corrections to lead articles which tried, erroneously, to blame green policies for the increase in consumer bills. KPMG's report led to a Sunday Times article and informed a very skewed BBC documentary on renewables, but now it seems that it may never see the light of day. We urgently need to inject some integrity and honesty back into this debate." *BusinessGreen: KPMG refuses to release controversial green energy report (7 Feb 2012): <a href="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report ">http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report </a> *BBC Panorama - Clarification: What's Fuelling Your Energy Bill? (31 Jan 2012): <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm</a> <o:p></o:p>  For further information please contact: <div>George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a></div>" ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-07" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1816) "Commenting on the news today that KPMG have decided not to release a report criticising the cost of renewable sources of energy*, Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF-UK, said: "The whole issue of energy bills and renewable energy has been whipped up into a media storm over recent months, with scant regard to the real evidence base. The Daily Mail has run three corrections to lead articles which tried, erroneously, to blame green policies for the increase in consumer bills. KPMG's report led to a Sunday Times article and informed a very skewed BBC documentary on renewables, but now it seems that it may never see the light of day. We urgently need to inject some integrity and honesty back into this debate." *BusinessGreen: KPMG refuses to release controversial green energy report (7 Feb 2012): <a href="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report ">http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report </a> *BBC Panorama - Clarification: What's Fuelling Your Energy Bill? (31 Jan 2012): <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm</a> <o:p></o:p>  For further information please contact: <div>George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a></div>" } [2]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(68) "Spike in greenhouse gas emissions a ‘wake up call’ to government" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5657" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2059) "WWF today said that the first upturn in UK greenhouse gas emissions for a decade was an extremely worrying development and a ‘wake up call’ to government.WWF said that the spike in emissions from the residential sector shows in particular the urgent need to step up the pace on improving residential energy efficiency, both to reduce emissions and to tackle fuel poverty. As it currently stands, the Government’s Green Deal looks likely to reduce the number of energy efficiency installations at a time when we need to see an increase. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “If the government ever needed a wake up call on greenhouse gas emissions here it is. Whilst there were specific factors contributing to this increase, it’s clear that a step change is needed if the UK is to remain on track on tackling climate change. “In particular it is alarming to see emissions from homes rising when people are struggling to pay their energy bills. The government must ensure that its policies on energy efficiency deliver at scale to reduce emissions and protect consumers. “The UK's overreliance on gas has pushed up emissions along with people’s energy bills. It’s a clear sign that the government needs to back investors in renewable energy and get us off the fossil fuel hook once and for all.” ENDS 1. DECC: 2010 UK greenhouse gas emissions, 7 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf">http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-07" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2059) "WWF today said that the first upturn in UK greenhouse gas emissions for a decade was an extremely worrying development and a ‘wake up call’ to government.WWF said that the spike in emissions from the residential sector shows in particular the urgent need to step up the pace on improving residential energy efficiency, both to reduce emissions and to tackle fuel poverty. As it currently stands, the Government’s Green Deal looks likely to reduce the number of energy efficiency installations at a time when we need to see an increase. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “If the government ever needed a wake up call on greenhouse gas emissions here it is. Whilst there were specific factors contributing to this increase, it’s clear that a step change is needed if the UK is to remain on track on tackling climate change. “In particular it is alarming to see emissions from homes rising when people are struggling to pay their energy bills. The government must ensure that its policies on energy efficiency deliver at scale to reduce emissions and protect consumers. “The UK's overreliance on gas has pushed up emissions along with people’s energy bills. It’s a clear sign that the government needs to back investors in renewable energy and get us off the fossil fuel hook once and for all.” ENDS 1. DECC: 2010 UK greenhouse gas emissions, 7 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf">http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [3]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(55) "Ministerial support ‘vital’ for investor confidence" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5653" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2464) "Responding to comments by the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today, WWF said that long-term policy signals and ministerial support were crucial for boosting private investment in renewable energy and the green economy.David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK said: “Investor confidence is vital to build a sustainable and resilient economy, so it’s essential that senior members of the government give consistent vocal support to renewables, green jobs and the low-carbon economy." “I’ve heard from renewable energy investors that negative comments from senior politicians on going green impact directly on their ability to raise funds for investment in the UK. “The notable exception is Scotland where, as a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report [1] highlighted, strong support from the devolved government has been a key factor in Scotland becoming a major player in the renewable energy sector.” Responding to comments by energy and climate change secretary Edward Davey, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Ed Davey’s entirely right about the need to rebalance our economy away from a dependence on oil and gas. If the UK is serious about tackling climate change then renewables, and wind energy in particular, will have to play a significant role. "The cost of renewables is steadily declining and will come down further if industry has the confidence to invest and expand in the UK. But if the UK chops and changes its energy policy this confidence will disappear and we’ll miss a promising source of growth and new jobs.” ENDS Notes to editors: 1. BBC News: Renewables growth 'to continue' in Scotland during 2012, 30 Jan 2012: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 ">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 </a> 2. DECC press release: Going for growth means going for green, 6 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx">http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-06" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2464) "Responding to comments by the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today, WWF said that long-term policy signals and ministerial support were crucial for boosting private investment in renewable energy and the green economy.David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK said: “Investor confidence is vital to build a sustainable and resilient economy, so it’s essential that senior members of the government give consistent vocal support to renewables, green jobs and the low-carbon economy." “I’ve heard from renewable energy investors that negative comments from senior politicians on going green impact directly on their ability to raise funds for investment in the UK. “The notable exception is Scotland where, as a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report [1] highlighted, strong support from the devolved government has been a key factor in Scotland becoming a major player in the renewable energy sector.” Responding to comments by energy and climate change secretary Edward Davey, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Ed Davey’s entirely right about the need to rebalance our economy away from a dependence on oil and gas. If the UK is serious about tackling climate change then renewables, and wind energy in particular, will have to play a significant role. "The cost of renewables is steadily declining and will come down further if industry has the confidence to invest and expand in the UK. But if the UK chops and changes its energy policy this confidence will disappear and we’ll miss a promising source of growth and new jobs.” ENDS Notes to editors: 1. BBC News: Renewables growth 'to continue' in Scotland during 2012, 30 Jan 2012: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 ">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 </a> 2. DECC press release: Going for growth means going for green, 6 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx">http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " } [4]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(27) "WWF: Comment on Chris Huhne" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5646" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1022) "Commenting on the resignation today of Chris Huhne, secretary of state for energy and climate change, Margaret Ounsley, head of public affairs, WWF-UK, said: "Chris Huhne understood the very complex issue of climate change, and fought his corner long and hard within the government to ensure that core policies, such as the fourth carbon budget, were delivered, against the nay-saying of the Treasury. His negotiating skills in Cancun were also key in helping to get the climate change talks back on track after Copenhagen. Whoever succeeds him will have some tough battles ahead of them in order to ensure that the ambition of the Climate Change Act is delivered." For futher information, please contact:  George Smeeton, Senior Press Officer, WWF-UK e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,115,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gsmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> t: 01483 412 388 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-03" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1022) "Commenting on the resignation today of Chris Huhne, secretary of state for energy and climate change, Margaret Ounsley, head of public affairs, WWF-UK, said: "Chris Huhne understood the very complex issue of climate change, and fought his corner long and hard within the government to ensure that core policies, such as the fourth carbon budget, were delivered, against the nay-saying of the Treasury. His negotiating skills in Cancun were also key in helping to get the climate change talks back on track after Copenhagen. Whoever succeeds him will have some tough battles ahead of them in order to ensure that the ambition of the Climate Change Act is delivered." For futher information, please contact:  George Smeeton, Senior Press Officer, WWF-UK e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,115,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gsmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> t: 01483 412 388 " } [5]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(57) "WWF: Building Regulations move will strengthen Green Deal" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5639" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1993) "The announcement by the Department of Communities and Local Government that they will include a requirement on consequential improvements within the Building Regulations, was today welcomed by WWF.Consequential improvements require those householders undertaking extensions to their property to upgrade the energy efficiency of the existing property to the same standard as the new extension, thereby reducing the carbon emissions from that property. Zoe Leader, sustainable homes policy officer at WWF-UK, said: "We are delighted that upon the third time of trying, this requirement has actually made it into the consultation document. WWF has long argued for the need to include this simple yet effective measure to support energy efficiency uptake in the domestic sector and with the Green Deal imminent this is now even easier. " "The need has never been greater for the UK to cut its carbon emissions and this will need a concerted effort across all Government departments. Today’s announcement sends a positive signal that Government is serious about the Green Deal and improving our housing stock across the piece and we hope to see more of this joined up policy approach in our move to a low carbon future in the UK." ENDS Notes to editors DCLG press release <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965">http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965</a> DCLG report <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf">http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf </a> Contact Kellie Rollings, Press Officer, e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a>, t: 01483 412340 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-01" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1993) "The announcement by the Department of Communities and Local Government that they will include a requirement on consequential improvements within the Building Regulations, was today welcomed by WWF.Consequential improvements require those householders undertaking extensions to their property to upgrade the energy efficiency of the existing property to the same standard as the new extension, thereby reducing the carbon emissions from that property. Zoe Leader, sustainable homes policy officer at WWF-UK, said: "We are delighted that upon the third time of trying, this requirement has actually made it into the consultation document. WWF has long argued for the need to include this simple yet effective measure to support energy efficiency uptake in the domestic sector and with the Green Deal imminent this is now even easier. " "The need has never been greater for the UK to cut its carbon emissions and this will need a concerted effort across all Government departments. Today’s announcement sends a positive signal that Government is serious about the Green Deal and improving our housing stock across the piece and we hope to see more of this joined up policy approach in our move to a low carbon future in the UK." ENDS Notes to editors DCLG press release <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965">http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965</a> DCLG report <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf">http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf </a> Contact Kellie Rollings, Press Officer, e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a>, t: 01483 412340 " } [6]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(53) "High-level call for green revolution should be heeded" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5631" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(4824) "WWF today welcomed a call from the UN High-Level Panel for Global Sustainability, recommending a radical redesign of the global economy, in order to create a healthy environment and improve people’s wellbeing.Released in advance of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, which will be held in June 2012, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future worth Choosing, was produced by a panel co-chaired by South African president Jacob Zuma and Finnish President Tarja Halonen. “The Global Sustainability report gives the highest level political signal yet of greater readiness to take the bold steps needed to build a prosperous future,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International. “This report makes the alarming point that while we are already exceeding the Earth’s capacity to support us, by 2030 we will need 50 per cent more food, 45 per cent more energy and 30 per cent more water than we do today. “The High-Level Panel report offers a vision for meeting those challenges. As negotiators develop the text for the Rio Summit in June, we look to them to embrace the urgency and commitments needed to turn this vision into reality.” Convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2010, the panel was charged with providing a vision for sustainability, growth and prosperity in the years to come, along with a framework for moving past political and economic hurdles that could put progress at risk. The report could prove a useful successor to Our Common Future, the 1987 Brundtland Report, which championed the concept of sustainable development and became the basis of the original 1992 Rio Earth Summit. WWF therefore urges political leaders to create the enabling conditions that will allow for the “21st century Green Revolution” that the paper is calling for. However, much like the Rio+20 first negotiating draft issued earlier this month, the report is still weak on binding commitments. While the recommendations for economic and institutional reform are positive, the report fails to suggest any concrete, time-bound commitments for progress, leaving policies open to governments to implement as they see fit. WWF also believes that the Rio negotiations need to further consider social issues, and making a clear link between people’s welfare and environmental health. "This report provides a vision for the Rio Conference matching the scale of the global challenges we face,” said David Norman, campaigns director at WWF-UK. “We now urge the UK Government to lead international efforts to get firm commitments to as many of these recommendations as possible signed during the summit in Rio." KEY POINTS WITHIN THE REPORT: The Global Sustainability report focuses on a number of essential measures to create a “green economy”. WWF welcomes the wide-ranging recommendations which include: • incorporating social and environmental costs in the regulation and pricing of goods; • the phasing out of counter-productive subsidies (particularly fossil fuel subsidies); • a requirement for business groups to work with governments and international agencies to report annually on environmental practices; • the establishment of a “beyond GDP” Sustainable Development Index or set of indicators to be developed by 2014. The second important area covered by the report relates to the strengthening of institutional governance at all levels. Recommendations include: • the establishment of universal Sustainable Development Goals to compliment and succeed the Millennium Development Goals post-2015; • the establishment of a new UN Global Sustainable Development Council; • a peer review mechanism to enable states to share experiences and lessons learned. Other key areas of the report include: • the recognition of the links between food, water and energy and the fact that they should not be treated as separate issues; • the need to give priority to challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems; • funds for transition to sustainable development to developing countries; • increased resources for disaster risk reduction; • Measures to mobilise finance for investment in the natural world. ENDS For further information, please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Officer WWF-UK <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,32,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@ wwf.org.uk</a> 07867 697 519 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-30" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(4824) "WWF today welcomed a call from the UN High-Level Panel for Global Sustainability, recommending a radical redesign of the global economy, in order to create a healthy environment and improve people’s wellbeing.Released in advance of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, which will be held in June 2012, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future worth Choosing, was produced by a panel co-chaired by South African president Jacob Zuma and Finnish President Tarja Halonen. “The Global Sustainability report gives the highest level political signal yet of greater readiness to take the bold steps needed to build a prosperous future,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International. “This report makes the alarming point that while we are already exceeding the Earth’s capacity to support us, by 2030 we will need 50 per cent more food, 45 per cent more energy and 30 per cent more water than we do today. “The High-Level Panel report offers a vision for meeting those challenges. As negotiators develop the text for the Rio Summit in June, we look to them to embrace the urgency and commitments needed to turn this vision into reality.” Convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2010, the panel was charged with providing a vision for sustainability, growth and prosperity in the years to come, along with a framework for moving past political and economic hurdles that could put progress at risk. The report could prove a useful successor to Our Common Future, the 1987 Brundtland Report, which championed the concept of sustainable development and became the basis of the original 1992 Rio Earth Summit. WWF therefore urges political leaders to create the enabling conditions that will allow for the “21st century Green Revolution” that the paper is calling for. However, much like the Rio+20 first negotiating draft issued earlier this month, the report is still weak on binding commitments. While the recommendations for economic and institutional reform are positive, the report fails to suggest any concrete, time-bound commitments for progress, leaving policies open to governments to implement as they see fit. WWF also believes that the Rio negotiations need to further consider social issues, and making a clear link between people’s welfare and environmental health. "This report provides a vision for the Rio Conference matching the scale of the global challenges we face,” said David Norman, campaigns director at WWF-UK. “We now urge the UK Government to lead international efforts to get firm commitments to as many of these recommendations as possible signed during the summit in Rio." KEY POINTS WITHIN THE REPORT: The Global Sustainability report focuses on a number of essential measures to create a “green economy”. WWF welcomes the wide-ranging recommendations which include: • incorporating social and environmental costs in the regulation and pricing of goods; • the phasing out of counter-productive subsidies (particularly fossil fuel subsidies); • a requirement for business groups to work with governments and international agencies to report annually on environmental practices; • the establishment of a “beyond GDP” Sustainable Development Index or set of indicators to be developed by 2014. The second important area covered by the report relates to the strengthening of institutional governance at all levels. Recommendations include: • the establishment of universal Sustainable Development Goals to compliment and succeed the Millennium Development Goals post-2015; • the establishment of a new UN Global Sustainable Development Council; • a peer review mechanism to enable states to share experiences and lessons learned. Other key areas of the report include: • the recognition of the links between food, water and energy and the fact that they should not be treated as separate issues; • the need to give priority to challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems; • funds for transition to sustainable development to developing countries; • increased resources for disaster risk reduction; • Measures to mobilise finance for investment in the natural world. ENDS For further information, please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Officer WWF-UK <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,32,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@ wwf.org.uk</a> 07867 697 519 " } [7]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(32) "IS THERE A PANDA IN YOUR POCKET?" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5625" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2926) "Discover WWF’s hidden treasures and win prizes! WWF has launched an online treasure hunt today to celebrate the fact that our 50p coin is going into circulation. One million coins have been created to celebrate 50 years of the conservation organisation. The design shows WWF’s well-known panda logo, surrounded by 50 images that represent WWF’s work to safeguard the environment and protect some of the planet’s most iconic species. So now that everyone has the chance to find the panda in their pocket, WWF has created a fun way of learning more about the way we work and win great prizes in the process. Launching today, the online treasure hunt encourages people to solve a series of clues, in order to find five icons which have been hidden around the WWF website. Each time a clue is unravelled it leads to the next puzzle. Once you have found all five clues, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic Flip Ultra 3rd generation camcorder or one of ten great runner-up prizes, including a commemorative 50p coin pack, a year-long snow leopard adoption and a Panda Made Me Do It t-shirt. “WWF is thrilled that we were able to celebrate our 50th anniversary in such a special way - I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the coin every time I go shopping” said Siobhan Wakely, brand communications manager at WWF-UK. “But even if you aren’t lucky enough to find a panda in your pocket money, our online treasure hunt will still give you the chance to get involved too, and hopefully learn a little more about the wonderful world we live in.” Over the past 50 years, WWF and its millions of supporters have achieved countless successes from preserving existing species such as mountain gorillas, polar bears and giant pandas, to helping the development of international agreements for the protection of the planet. To find out more about the coin and take part to the treasure hunt visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt">www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt </a> ENDS Notes to editors For more information and high res images please contact: Giulia Biasibetti | WWF-UK | <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,98,105,97,115,105,98,101,116,116,105,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gbiasibetti@wwf.org.uk</a> | +44 (0) 1483 412490 • The competition opens on 26 January 2012 and closing date for entries is 1pm on 26 March 2012. Winners will be notified by 17.00 on 13 April 2012. • The new 50p coin has been released by the Royal Mint and was designed by award-winning graphic designer Matthew Dent. It shows WWF’s panda logo surrounded by 50 images symbolising our environmental and conservation work, from species to footprints and wind turbines. " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-26" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2926) "Discover WWF’s hidden treasures and win prizes! WWF has launched an online treasure hunt today to celebrate the fact that our 50p coin is going into circulation. One million coins have been created to celebrate 50 years of the conservation organisation. The design shows WWF’s well-known panda logo, surrounded by 50 images that represent WWF’s work to safeguard the environment and protect some of the planet’s most iconic species. So now that everyone has the chance to find the panda in their pocket, WWF has created a fun way of learning more about the way we work and win great prizes in the process. Launching today, the online treasure hunt encourages people to solve a series of clues, in order to find five icons which have been hidden around the WWF website. Each time a clue is unravelled it leads to the next puzzle. Once you have found all five clues, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic Flip Ultra 3rd generation camcorder or one of ten great runner-up prizes, including a commemorative 50p coin pack, a year-long snow leopard adoption and a Panda Made Me Do It t-shirt. “WWF is thrilled that we were able to celebrate our 50th anniversary in such a special way - I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the coin every time I go shopping” said Siobhan Wakely, brand communications manager at WWF-UK. “But even if you aren’t lucky enough to find a panda in your pocket money, our online treasure hunt will still give you the chance to get involved too, and hopefully learn a little more about the wonderful world we live in.” Over the past 50 years, WWF and its millions of supporters have achieved countless successes from preserving existing species such as mountain gorillas, polar bears and giant pandas, to helping the development of international agreements for the protection of the planet. To find out more about the coin and take part to the treasure hunt visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt">www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt </a> ENDS Notes to editors For more information and high res images please contact: Giulia Biasibetti | WWF-UK | <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,98,105,97,115,105,98,101,116,116,105,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gbiasibetti@wwf.org.uk</a> | +44 (0) 1483 412490 • The competition opens on 26 January 2012 and closing date for entries is 1pm on 26 March 2012. Winners will be notified by 17.00 on 13 April 2012. • The new 50p coin has been released by the Royal Mint and was designed by award-winning graphic designer Matthew Dent. It shows WWF’s panda logo surrounded by 50 images symbolising our environmental and conservation work, from species to footprints and wind turbines. " } [8]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(51) "Fishing: Reform must protect all the world's oceans" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5622" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(4989) "New rules are urgently needed to ensure all UK and other EU-flagged fishing boats operating in waters outside of Europe, are operating in a sustainable way and to the same standards as they would back home, said WWF-UK today (Wednesday 25 January).The conservation group made the call as it published a new study [1] revealing in greater detail how commercial fishing globally has dramatically expanded its areas of operation – to now cover over one-third of the world’s ocean surface - and seriously questioning the sustainablity of this level of exploitation of marine resources. The report highlighted a number of factors have contributed to this expansion: • Improved technology and subsidies have made European fleets more mobile than most global fleets since 1980; • The negotiation of ‘access agreements’ with developing countries (usually African); and • The practice of re-flagging (where EU boats evade EU rules by adopting a non-EU country’s flag). With over 700 officially EU-flagged vessels [2] now exploiting fisheries outside of Europe – including some as far away as the Indian Ocean and the southern Atlantic – WWF-UK said it was vital that ongoing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) include measures to ensure all EU-flagged vessels fish sustainably, whevever they operate in the world. Giles Bartlett, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF-UK said: “It may surprise many people to learn that a number of UK-registered boats, along with hundreds of others from across Europe, are operating as far away as the Indian Ocean and south Atlantic to catch fish. With many of Europe’s fish stocks now depleted, improved technology along with subsidies have encouraged a growing number of EU vessels to exploit fishing opportunities across the world. “We have a unique opportunity to fix the broken Common Fisheries Policy, which has allowed many unsustainable practices to flourish. It is vital any reform guarantees vessels that fish abroad follow the same rules and respect the same sustainablity principles as those operating within EU waters. “We urge the UK Government to ensure not only our own fleet, but all other EU vessels adopt sustainable practices wherever they operate in the world. If the EU fails to take a leadership role in global fisheries management and ocean protection, it will further contribute to the global fisheries crisis and jeopardise global food security in the long run.” Notes to the editor [1] Spatial expansion of EU and non-EU fishing fleets into the global ocean, 1950 to the present. Sea Around Us project, University of British Columbia, 2011. Available now. The study for WWF has for the first time transposed data about the global expansion of fishing activity, from 1950 to the present, to an <a href="http://wwf.ixtract.de/">animated map</a> - http://wwf.ixtract.de/ . It shows that European vessels are now traveling to the furthest corners of the world to exploit fish stocks. Declining domestic catches and efforts to reduce the number of vessels fishing in European waters have resulted in much of the European tuna and other pelagic fleets concentrating their fishing efforts overseas. [2] According to the EU, in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage. The 718 vessels broken down by Member State: Spain: 424 (59%) France: 100 (14%) Portugal: 73 (10%) Italy: 52 (7%) Greece: 18 (3%) Lithuania: 12 (2%) Estonia: 10 (1%) UK: 9 (1%) Others (Latvia, Germany, Poland, Malta, Denmark, Cyprus): 20 (3%) Source: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/studies/study_external_fleet/external_fleet_2008_en.pdf [3] UK vessels operating in non-EU waters: According to DEFRA, in 2011 the UK had vessels fishing or licenced to fish in third country/external waters as follows: • Indian Ocean (under Indian Ocean Tuna Commission): 4 vessels fishing under agreements with Mozambique and Madagascar. • Mauritania: 1 vessel under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Falkland Islands: 1 vessel under private agreement • Morocco: 2 vessels (although only 1 operated in 2011) under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Northwest Atlantic: 1 vessel in Northest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) zone under Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) agreement In addition, the UK also had 125 vessels fishing in Norwegian waters under the traditional bilateral arrangements. There are also 3 vessels licensed to fish in Greenland waters. " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-25" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(4989) "New rules are urgently needed to ensure all UK and other EU-flagged fishing boats operating in waters outside of Europe, are operating in a sustainable way and to the same standards as they would back home, said WWF-UK today (Wednesday 25 January).The conservation group made the call as it published a new study [1] revealing in greater detail how commercial fishing globally has dramatically expanded its areas of operation – to now cover over one-third of the world’s ocean surface - and seriously questioning the sustainablity of this level of exploitation of marine resources. The report highlighted a number of factors have contributed to this expansion: • Improved technology and subsidies have made European fleets more mobile than most global fleets since 1980; • The negotiation of ‘access agreements’ with developing countries (usually African); and • The practice of re-flagging (where EU boats evade EU rules by adopting a non-EU country’s flag). With over 700 officially EU-flagged vessels [2] now exploiting fisheries outside of Europe – including some as far away as the Indian Ocean and the southern Atlantic – WWF-UK said it was vital that ongoing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) include measures to ensure all EU-flagged vessels fish sustainably, whevever they operate in the world. Giles Bartlett, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF-UK said: “It may surprise many people to learn that a number of UK-registered boats, along with hundreds of others from across Europe, are operating as far away as the Indian Ocean and south Atlantic to catch fish. With many of Europe’s fish stocks now depleted, improved technology along with subsidies have encouraged a growing number of EU vessels to exploit fishing opportunities across the world. “We have a unique opportunity to fix the broken Common Fisheries Policy, which has allowed many unsustainable practices to flourish. It is vital any reform guarantees vessels that fish abroad follow the same rules and respect the same sustainablity principles as those operating within EU waters. “We urge the UK Government to ensure not only our own fleet, but all other EU vessels adopt sustainable practices wherever they operate in the world. If the EU fails to take a leadership role in global fisheries management and ocean protection, it will further contribute to the global fisheries crisis and jeopardise global food security in the long run.” Notes to the editor [1] Spatial expansion of EU and non-EU fishing fleets into the global ocean, 1950 to the present. Sea Around Us project, University of British Columbia, 2011. Available now. The study for WWF has for the first time transposed data about the global expansion of fishing activity, from 1950 to the present, to an <a href="http://wwf.ixtract.de/">animated map</a> - http://wwf.ixtract.de/ . It shows that European vessels are now traveling to the furthest corners of the world to exploit fish stocks. Declining domestic catches and efforts to reduce the number of vessels fishing in European waters have resulted in much of the European tuna and other pelagic fleets concentrating their fishing efforts overseas. [2] According to the EU, in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage. The 718 vessels broken down by Member State: Spain: 424 (59%) France: 100 (14%) Portugal: 73 (10%) Italy: 52 (7%) Greece: 18 (3%) Lithuania: 12 (2%) Estonia: 10 (1%) UK: 9 (1%) Others (Latvia, Germany, Poland, Malta, Denmark, Cyprus): 20 (3%) Source: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/studies/study_external_fleet/external_fleet_2008_en.pdf [3] UK vessels operating in non-EU waters: According to DEFRA, in 2011 the UK had vessels fishing or licenced to fish in third country/external waters as follows: • Indian Ocean (under Indian Ocean Tuna Commission): 4 vessels fishing under agreements with Mozambique and Madagascar. • Mauritania: 1 vessel under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Falkland Islands: 1 vessel under private agreement • Morocco: 2 vessels (although only 1 operated in 2011) under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Northwest Atlantic: 1 vessel in Northest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) zone under Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) agreement In addition, the UK also had 125 vessels fishing in Norwegian waters under the traditional bilateral arrangements. There are also 3 vessels licensed to fish in Greenland waters. " } [9]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(62) "Carbon Tracker & WWF: Coal occupying the London Stock Exchange" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5607" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(5850) " A new report revealing the massive amounts of global coal reserves listed on the London Stock Exchange has been described as the next subprime crisis facing the City. The <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/coalcapital">report</a>, by Carbon Tracker supported by WWF-UK, shows that the London Stock Exchange has accumulated the equivalent of 400 times the UK’s total annual CO2 emissions from coal, or 44.56 GtCO2. It argues that through pension plans and savings, UK investors are exposed to significant risk as coal, the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels, faces tightening emissions regulations around the world. As the recent International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook highlighted, only a fraction of currently-listed fossil fuel assets can be exploited if climate change is to be successfully kept within safe limits. The sub-prime mortgage crisis caught investors out because the assumption that house prices would keep going up proved to be false. The report says that, if the market continues to believe there are no limits to coal-based emissions and brings more coal to London, both investors and the planet will suffer. James Leaton, project director of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, said: “Judging by its short-termist approach to backing high-carbon fossil fuel investments around the world, the City seems to be in complete denial about climate change. The capital markets need to recognise the paradox of continuing to back fossil fuels whilst also continuing to invest in sectors and economies vulnerable to climate change.” Half of the huge coal reserves owned by companies listed in London are supplying developing economies in China, Russia, India and South Africa. London is the financial centre of choice for coal mining companies, with new companies such as Bumi, Glencore, and Evraz coming to raise capital in the City. With natural resources companies now making up a third of the value of the FTSE 100, London has a high concentration in this sector. There is currently no limit to how much coal can be owned by UK listed companies, so investors have no protection from coal reserves becoming stranded assets. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “This report is particularly timely right now, as the recent UN climate talks in Durban were looking at issues such as finance and ways to increase the ambition of emission reduction efforts. If just a fraction of the money that continues to be pumped into fossil fuels was redirected into clean renewable energy investments the world would start to make significant progress in tackling climate change.” Investment banks are currently preparing to offer a significant stake in 5 billion tonnes of Mongolian coal to be listed in London. State company ETT aims to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. Most investors follow the market, either through passively tracking it or benchmarking against it. Currently they will have more carbon added to their portfolio when this company lists, without anyone questioning their exposure to systemic risk. ENDS Notes to editors 1. This research follows Carbon Tracker’s global analysis of the carbon bubble in July 2011, which demonstrated that only 20% of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves can be burnt by 2050 if we are to have an 80% chance of staying below 2 degrees of global warming. Available at <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble</a> 2. The IEA confirmed that reserves exceed the global carbon budget in its World Energy Outlook 2011. Extract available at: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble</a>.  Full report available at: <a href="http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/">http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/</a> 3. Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, (ETT), the Mongolian state-owned natural resources company has been in talks to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. The four investment banks currently selected to lead and arrange the share offering are Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs and Macquarie Group. The Tavan Tolgoi mine is estimated to have at least 5 billion tonnes of coal reserves. More information available at: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html</a>   4. The Carbon Tracker Initiative and WWF-UK were signatories to an open letter to the Bank of England today, as part of a coalition of leading businesses, NGOs and universities urging the Bank to investigate how the UK's exposure to polluting and environmentally damaging investments might pose a systemic risk to the UK financial system and prospects for long term economic growth: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter">http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter</a>   For further information, please contact: James Leaton, project director, Carbon Tracker Initiative, Tel: +44 (0)7841 570657, email: <a href="mailto:jleaton@carbontracker.org">jleaton@carbontracker.org</a>   George Smeeton, senior press officer, WWF-UK, Tel: +44 (0)1483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="mailto:GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a>   " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-19" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(5850) " A new report revealing the massive amounts of global coal reserves listed on the London Stock Exchange has been described as the next subprime crisis facing the City. The <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/coalcapital">report</a>, by Carbon Tracker supported by WWF-UK, shows that the London Stock Exchange has accumulated the equivalent of 400 times the UK’s total annual CO2 emissions from coal, or 44.56 GtCO2. It argues that through pension plans and savings, UK investors are exposed to significant risk as coal, the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels, faces tightening emissions regulations around the world. As the recent International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook highlighted, only a fraction of currently-listed fossil fuel assets can be exploited if climate change is to be successfully kept within safe limits. The sub-prime mortgage crisis caught investors out because the assumption that house prices would keep going up proved to be false. The report says that, if the market continues to believe there are no limits to coal-based emissions and brings more coal to London, both investors and the planet will suffer. James Leaton, project director of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, said: “Judging by its short-termist approach to backing high-carbon fossil fuel investments around the world, the City seems to be in complete denial about climate change. The capital markets need to recognise the paradox of continuing to back fossil fuels whilst also continuing to invest in sectors and economies vulnerable to climate change.” Half of the huge coal reserves owned by companies listed in London are supplying developing economies in China, Russia, India and South Africa. London is the financial centre of choice for coal mining companies, with new companies such as Bumi, Glencore, and Evraz coming to raise capital in the City. With natural resources companies now making up a third of the value of the FTSE 100, London has a high concentration in this sector. There is currently no limit to how much coal can be owned by UK listed companies, so investors have no protection from coal reserves becoming stranded assets. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “This report is particularly timely right now, as the recent UN climate talks in Durban were looking at issues such as finance and ways to increase the ambition of emission reduction efforts. If just a fraction of the money that continues to be pumped into fossil fuels was redirected into clean renewable energy investments the world would start to make significant progress in tackling climate change.” Investment banks are currently preparing to offer a significant stake in 5 billion tonnes of Mongolian coal to be listed in London. State company ETT aims to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. Most investors follow the market, either through passively tracking it or benchmarking against it. Currently they will have more carbon added to their portfolio when this company lists, without anyone questioning their exposure to systemic risk. ENDS Notes to editors 1. This research follows Carbon Tracker’s global analysis of the carbon bubble in July 2011, which demonstrated that only 20% of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves can be burnt by 2050 if we are to have an 80% chance of staying below 2 degrees of global warming. Available at <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble</a> 2. The IEA confirmed that reserves exceed the global carbon budget in its World Energy Outlook 2011. Extract available at: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble</a>.  Full report available at: <a href="http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/">http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/</a> 3. Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, (ETT), the Mongolian state-owned natural resources company has been in talks to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. The four investment banks currently selected to lead and arrange the share offering are Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs and Macquarie Group. The Tavan Tolgoi mine is estimated to have at least 5 billion tonnes of coal reserves. More information available at: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html</a>   4. The Carbon Tracker Initiative and WWF-UK were signatories to an open letter to the Bank of England today, as part of a coalition of leading businesses, NGOs and universities urging the Bank to investigate how the UK's exposure to polluting and environmentally damaging investments might pose a systemic risk to the UK financial system and prospects for long term economic growth: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter">http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter</a>   For further information, please contact: James Leaton, project director, Carbon Tracker Initiative, Tel: +44 (0)7841 570657, email: <a href="mailto:jleaton@carbontracker.org">jleaton@carbontracker.org</a>   George Smeeton, senior press officer, WWF-UK, Tel: +44 (0)1483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="mailto:GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a>   " } [10]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(59) "Policy Exchange report ignores benefits of renewable energy" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5604" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3348) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms.WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011:<a href="http:// http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills</a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email:<a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(32,71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-18" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3348) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms.WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011:<a href="http:// http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills</a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email:<a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(32,71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " } [11]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(53) "WWF REACTION TO MEDIA REPORTS ON A NEW LONDON AIRPORT" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5603" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3516) "WWF is deeply concerned by reports today that the coalition Government could be putting Southeast airport expansion back on the agenda. WWF believes this is neither necessary economically nor sustainable in climate terms.As pointed out in our response to the CAA's call for Southeast airport expansion (1) (<a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586</a>), there is already sufficient available capacity across London's six airports and seven runways to meet demand to 2050 without having to build a further airport, especially given the trend towards larger planes and higher passenger loading. Add to this a decline in domestic flights, growth in train travel, greater use of videoconferencing and reduced business flying and it is impossible to justify further expansion, especially as it would be likely to destroy the UK's chance of meeting legally binding climate targets. Jean Leston, Senior Transport Policy Adviser, WWF-UK said: "The government long ago moved from an unsustainable "predict and provide" model for the UK's road network, when it became obvious that we could not simply build more roads for yet more cars. We need a similar shift in thinking for future aviation policy. Air travel is the UK's fastest growing source of carbon emissions. If we build a new runway or airport in the Southeast, we will be building the single biggest source of carbon in the country, at a time when we should be rapidly reducing our emissions." "Heathrow already offers far more flights to 20 of the world's 27 top business destinations and more business routes than Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt combined (2). The aviation industry is trying to create national hysteria about a need for expansion when they should be looking at the facts: Heathrow's doing just fine in terms of competitiveness and it won't take a £50b new airport completed in the distant future to improve our connectivity." For further information please call the WWF-UK press office on 01483 412 383<o:p></o:p> Notes: (1) The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that there is already sufficient available runway and terminal capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> (2) According to AirportWatch international connectivity research funded by WWF, Heathrow is in a class of its own as far as its connectivity to key business centres is concerned, offering more flights to these destinations than any other airport in Europe. London as a whole also offers a greater number of total flights to the world's main business destinations than other Continental cities. UK connectivity to business destinations, key to economic growth, is still unrivalled. For more information see <a href="http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf">http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-18" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3516) "WWF is deeply concerned by reports today that the coalition Government could be putting Southeast airport expansion back on the agenda. WWF believes this is neither necessary economically nor sustainable in climate terms.As pointed out in our response to the CAA's call for Southeast airport expansion (1) (<a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586</a>), there is already sufficient available capacity across London's six airports and seven runways to meet demand to 2050 without having to build a further airport, especially given the trend towards larger planes and higher passenger loading. Add to this a decline in domestic flights, growth in train travel, greater use of videoconferencing and reduced business flying and it is impossible to justify further expansion, especially as it would be likely to destroy the UK's chance of meeting legally binding climate targets. Jean Leston, Senior Transport Policy Adviser, WWF-UK said: "The government long ago moved from an unsustainable "predict and provide" model for the UK's road network, when it became obvious that we could not simply build more roads for yet more cars. We need a similar shift in thinking for future aviation policy. Air travel is the UK's fastest growing source of carbon emissions. If we build a new runway or airport in the Southeast, we will be building the single biggest source of carbon in the country, at a time when we should be rapidly reducing our emissions." "Heathrow already offers far more flights to 20 of the world's 27 top business destinations and more business routes than Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt combined (2). The aviation industry is trying to create national hysteria about a need for expansion when they should be looking at the facts: Heathrow's doing just fine in terms of competitiveness and it won't take a £50b new airport completed in the distant future to improve our connectivity." For further information please call the WWF-UK press office on 01483 412 383<o:p></o:p> Notes: (1) The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that there is already sufficient available runway and terminal capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> (2) According to AirportWatch international connectivity research funded by WWF, Heathrow is in a class of its own as far as its connectivity to key business centres is concerned, offering more flights to these destinations than any other airport in Europe. London as a whole also offers a greater number of total flights to the world's main business destinations than other Continental cities. UK connectivity to business destinations, key to economic growth, is still unrivalled. For more information see <a href="http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf">http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf</a> " } [12]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(68) "WWF says Policy Exchange report ignores benefits of renewable energy" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5602" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3335) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms. WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011: <a href="http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills ">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills </a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy ">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy </a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a>" ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-18" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3335) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms. WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011: <a href="http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills ">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills </a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy ">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy </a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a>" } [13]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(51) "WWF REACTION TO UK GOVERMENT'S PREPARATIONS FOR RIO" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5601" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1007) "Commenting on the UK Government's response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report looking at UK preparations for the Rio Earth Summit, David Norman, head of campaigns at WWF-UK said:"It is disappointing that the UK Government has dismissed the need for an international court on the environment, and that the PM will still not committ to going to the Rio plus 20. The UK government has a proud record of leading the charge internationally on many environmental issues, but they look in danger of being left behind in these talks if they don’t committ to a higher level of activity. And while we obviously welcome their statement that there should be focussed priorities for this conference, it would be useful if we could know in greater detail what they propose these are. " For further comment or information please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Manager WWF-UK 01483 412 375 07867 697 519 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-16" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1007) "Commenting on the UK Government's response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report looking at UK preparations for the Rio Earth Summit, David Norman, head of campaigns at WWF-UK said:"It is disappointing that the UK Government has dismissed the need for an international court on the environment, and that the PM will still not committ to going to the Rio plus 20. The UK government has a proud record of leading the charge internationally on many environmental issues, but they look in danger of being left behind in these talks if they don’t committ to a higher level of activity. And while we obviously welcome their statement that there should be focussed priorities for this conference, it would be useful if we could know in greater detail what they propose these are. " For further comment or information please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Manager WWF-UK 01483 412 375 07867 697 519 " } [14]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(63) "Pureprint Group and The Co-operative Food graduate from GFTN-UK" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5595" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2909) "Two businesses have graduated from WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) in the UK. The Co-operative Food has become the first retailer to qualify while printing company Pureprint Group has also achieved the milestone.Following an independent audit, The Co-operative Food showed that it uses at least 95% sustainable materials for all its wood and paper-based products which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or made from recycled materials. Pureprint Group also met these strict standards, which must be met before graduation, and was found to have put printing using sustainably sourced paper at the heart of its business. WWF now hopes graduates from GFTN will inspire other businesses to transform their consumption of forest goods to achieve the same standard. Julia Young, WWF-UK GFTN manager, said: “Both these respected businesses have shown that it is possible to transform their supply chain. The Co-operative has quietly gone about the job of changing their supply chain for forest goods for the better. Pureprint Group is dedicated to understanding the impacts their business and services have on the environment, and to helping customers make the best choices for their printing.” Sean Toal, acting chief executive at The Co-operative Food, said: “As the first retailer to graduate from WWF’s UK Global Forest and Trade Network, we’re leading the way in sourcing wood and paper-based products in a responsible and sustainable way. The environment is important to our customers and members, and our efforts to transform our supply chains are helping to protect the world’s forests and reduce levels of deforestation.” Richard Owers, director at Pureprint Group, added: “Pureprint Group is delighted to be the first printing company in the UK to become eligible for graduate status to the WWF’S GFTN-UK. We have been pleased to both follow and pass on WWF advice on responsible paper purchasing. By adopting these ideas and best environmental practice in our factory we have not only been able to make printed communications very sustainable but also now offer environmental printing as a mainstream business choice.” ENDS For more information on GFTN-UK, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ ">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ </a> For further information, please contact: Robin Clegg, WWF press office, t: 07771 818707 e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,99,108,101,103,103,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">rclegg@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-16" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2909) "Two businesses have graduated from WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) in the UK. The Co-operative Food has become the first retailer to qualify while printing company Pureprint Group has also achieved the milestone.Following an independent audit, The Co-operative Food showed that it uses at least 95% sustainable materials for all its wood and paper-based products which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or made from recycled materials. Pureprint Group also met these strict standards, which must be met before graduation, and was found to have put printing using sustainably sourced paper at the heart of its business. WWF now hopes graduates from GFTN will inspire other businesses to transform their consumption of forest goods to achieve the same standard. Julia Young, WWF-UK GFTN manager, said: “Both these respected businesses have shown that it is possible to transform their supply chain. The Co-operative has quietly gone about the job of changing their supply chain for forest goods for the better. Pureprint Group is dedicated to understanding the impacts their business and services have on the environment, and to helping customers make the best choices for their printing.” Sean Toal, acting chief executive at The Co-operative Food, said: “As the first retailer to graduate from WWF’s UK Global Forest and Trade Network, we’re leading the way in sourcing wood and paper-based products in a responsible and sustainable way. The environment is important to our customers and members, and our efforts to transform our supply chains are helping to protect the world’s forests and reduce levels of deforestation.” Richard Owers, director at Pureprint Group, added: “Pureprint Group is delighted to be the first printing company in the UK to become eligible for graduate status to the WWF’S GFTN-UK. We have been pleased to both follow and pass on WWF advice on responsible paper purchasing. By adopting these ideas and best environmental practice in our factory we have not only been able to make printed communications very sustainable but also now offer environmental printing as a mainstream business choice.” ENDS For more information on GFTN-UK, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ ">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ </a> For further information, please contact: Robin Clegg, WWF press office, t: 07771 818707 e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,99,108,101,103,103,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">rclegg@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [15]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(33) "Rhino deaths soar in South Africa" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5592" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(6858) "Newly released government figures have shown that South Africa lost 448 rhinos to poaching in 2011 – more than one a day - and at least eight more have been confirmed dead already this year.The 2011 total includes 19 critically endangered black rhinos, of which fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild. There has been a steady increase in rhino deaths through poaching over the last few years, with 333 South African rhinos killed in 2010, nearly three times the number killed in 2009. “More rhinos were poached in 2011 than has been recorded in any single year before,” said Andrew McVey, Species Programme Manager at WWF-UK. “If left unchecked, poaching gangs could put the survival of these iconic species in jeopardy.” More than half of South Africa’s rhino deaths last year occurred in the world-famous Kruger National Park. The popular safari destination lost 252 rhinos in 2011, and witnessed the poaching of an additional eight rhinos in the first weeks of the new year, according to authorities from South Africa National Parks. The rise in poaching is occurring despite increased law enforcement efforts, South African officials made 232 poaching-related arrests in 2011, compared to 165 the previous year. Sentences imposed for rhino crimes have also increased in recent years, with poachers and horn smugglers receiving as long as 16 years in prison. “Rhino poaching is being conducted by sophisticated international criminal syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF-South Africa. “It’s not enough to bust the little guy - investigators need to shut down the kingpins organizing these criminal operations. Governments in Africa and Asia must work together across borders to stop the illegal trade.” The recent upsurge in rhino poaching has been tied to increased demand for rhino horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it carries prestige as a luxury item, as a post-partying cleanser, and also as a purported cancer cure. “Rhino horn has gained popularity among wealthy Vietnamese elites and business people to give as a gift, when currying political favour, or taking as an antidote to overindulgence,” said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC’s rhino trade expert. “But killing endangered rhinos to mitigate a hangover is a criminal way to see in the New Year.” According to Traditional Chinese Medicine experts, rhino horn has no proven cancer treating properties. Contrary to popular myth, it has never been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has found that consumer demand in Vietnam is driving much of the rhino poaching. CITES has also ruled that Vietnam needs to show progress in curtailing illegal trade in rhino parts and derivatives. “So far we have yet to see Vietnam respond to this ruling from CITES,” says Colman O Criodain, Wildlife Trade Policy Expert at WWF International . “For that matter, CITES must put pressure on Vietnam to respond meaningfully, as it has done with other countries whose compliance with the Convention has been called into question.” Because it is home to most of the world’s rhinos, South Africa has been the epicentre of poaching. However, rhinos in other African and Asian range countries are also being targeted by poachers. In October, WWF announced the extinction of rhinos in Vietnam. The last Javan rhinoceros in the country was killed by poachers and its horn removed. In Nepal, however, strong conservation and law enforcement efforts ensured that no rhinos were lost to poaching in 2011. In both Africa and Asia, WWF and TRAFFIC are providing assistance to field rangers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and customs authorities. Additionally, TRAFFIC has facilitated visits between South African and Vietnamese government officials to discuss deepening cooperation on law enforcement. A bilateral treaty to ramp up law enforcement collaboration between South Africa and Vietnam was negotiated in September 2011 but still remains unsigned. HIGH RES IMAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST ENDS Rhino population statistics African species Black Rhino: 4,838 IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered White Rhino: Approx 20,000, up from fewer than 100 in 1900. IUCN Red List Classification: Near threatened South Africa rhino population: 1,916 Black, 18,780 White Asian species Greater-one horned: 2,913. IUCN Red List Classification: Vulnerable Javan: No more than 50. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered Sumatran: Fewer than 200. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered South Africa poaching numbers Source: SANParks 2009: 122 rhinos 2010: 333 rhinos 2011: 448 rhinos, 19 critically endangered black. Arrests in 2010: 165 Arrests in 2011: 232 For additional information or to request an expert interview, please contact: WWF: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(74,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?subject=PR%20-%20Rhino%20deaths%20soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">Jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a>, direct: 01483 412 375, mobile: 07867 697 519 TRAFFIC: Richard Thomas, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,105,99,104,97,114,100,46,116,104,111,109,97,115,64,116,114,97,102,102,105,99,46,111,114,103)+'?subject=PS%20-%20Rhino%20Deaths%20Soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">richard.thomas@traffic.org</a>, direct 01223 279 068, mobile 0752 6646 216 About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. Find out more about our work, past and present at <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk</a> About TRAFFIC TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of IUCN and WWF. " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-12" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(6858) "Newly released government figures have shown that South Africa lost 448 rhinos to poaching in 2011 – more than one a day - and at least eight more have been confirmed dead already this year.The 2011 total includes 19 critically endangered black rhinos, of which fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild. There has been a steady increase in rhino deaths through poaching over the last few years, with 333 South African rhinos killed in 2010, nearly three times the number killed in 2009. “More rhinos were poached in 2011 than has been recorded in any single year before,” said Andrew McVey, Species Programme Manager at WWF-UK. “If left unchecked, poaching gangs could put the survival of these iconic species in jeopardy.” More than half of South Africa’s rhino deaths last year occurred in the world-famous Kruger National Park. The popular safari destination lost 252 rhinos in 2011, and witnessed the poaching of an additional eight rhinos in the first weeks of the new year, according to authorities from South Africa National Parks. The rise in poaching is occurring despite increased law enforcement efforts, South African officials made 232 poaching-related arrests in 2011, compared to 165 the previous year. Sentences imposed for rhino crimes have also increased in recent years, with poachers and horn smugglers receiving as long as 16 years in prison. “Rhino poaching is being conducted by sophisticated international criminal syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF-South Africa. “It’s not enough to bust the little guy - investigators need to shut down the kingpins organizing these criminal operations. Governments in Africa and Asia must work together across borders to stop the illegal trade.” The recent upsurge in rhino poaching has been tied to increased demand for rhino horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it carries prestige as a luxury item, as a post-partying cleanser, and also as a purported cancer cure. “Rhino horn has gained popularity among wealthy Vietnamese elites and business people to give as a gift, when currying political favour, or taking as an antidote to overindulgence,” said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC’s rhino trade expert. “But killing endangered rhinos to mitigate a hangover is a criminal way to see in the New Year.” According to Traditional Chinese Medicine experts, rhino horn has no proven cancer treating properties. Contrary to popular myth, it has never been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has found that consumer demand in Vietnam is driving much of the rhino poaching. CITES has also ruled that Vietnam needs to show progress in curtailing illegal trade in rhino parts and derivatives. “So far we have yet to see Vietnam respond to this ruling from CITES,” says Colman O Criodain, Wildlife Trade Policy Expert at WWF International . “For that matter, CITES must put pressure on Vietnam to respond meaningfully, as it has done with other countries whose compliance with the Convention has been called into question.” Because it is home to most of the world’s rhinos, South Africa has been the epicentre of poaching. However, rhinos in other African and Asian range countries are also being targeted by poachers. In October, WWF announced the extinction of rhinos in Vietnam. The last Javan rhinoceros in the country was killed by poachers and its horn removed. In Nepal, however, strong conservation and law enforcement efforts ensured that no rhinos were lost to poaching in 2011. In both Africa and Asia, WWF and TRAFFIC are providing assistance to field rangers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and customs authorities. Additionally, TRAFFIC has facilitated visits between South African and Vietnamese government officials to discuss deepening cooperation on law enforcement. A bilateral treaty to ramp up law enforcement collaboration between South Africa and Vietnam was negotiated in September 2011 but still remains unsigned. HIGH RES IMAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST ENDS Rhino population statistics African species Black Rhino: 4,838 IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered White Rhino: Approx 20,000, up from fewer than 100 in 1900. IUCN Red List Classification: Near threatened South Africa rhino population: 1,916 Black, 18,780 White Asian species Greater-one horned: 2,913. IUCN Red List Classification: Vulnerable Javan: No more than 50. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered Sumatran: Fewer than 200. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered South Africa poaching numbers Source: SANParks 2009: 122 rhinos 2010: 333 rhinos 2011: 448 rhinos, 19 critically endangered black. Arrests in 2010: 165 Arrests in 2011: 232 For additional information or to request an expert interview, please contact: WWF: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(74,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?subject=PR%20-%20Rhino%20deaths%20soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">Jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a>, direct: 01483 412 375, mobile: 07867 697 519 TRAFFIC: Richard Thomas, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,105,99,104,97,114,100,46,116,104,111,109,97,115,64,116,114,97,102,102,105,99,46,111,114,103)+'?subject=PS%20-%20Rhino%20Deaths%20Soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">richard.thomas@traffic.org</a>, direct 01223 279 068, mobile 0752 6646 216 About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. Find out more about our work, past and present at <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk</a> About TRAFFIC TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of IUCN and WWF. " } [16]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(93) "WWF & AEF: Civil Aviation Authority report on airport capacity ‘a contradiction in terms’" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5586" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3327) "WWF and the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) today rejected the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) report claiming that new runways are needed in the Southeast in order to meet consumer demand. The CAA's report ignores the advice of the Government’s climate advisers and is also in direct contradiction to Government policy to make the most of the airport capacity we already have.According to WWF and AEF's assessment of available UK airport capacity (1), there is already sufficient capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet future demand, in line with the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommended limits to aviation growth to ensure the sector plays a role in limiting its carbon emissions. The analysis shows that a small shortfall is expected in the Southeast which is not sufficient to require a new runway, so long as the trend towards larger aircraft continues. Using BAA forecasts at the Terminal 5 inquiry, which show average passenger numbers per aircraft increasing from 143 to 198 over time, and assuming that other Southeast airports would also reflect the trend towards higher passenger loading, albeit at a lesser extent (2), WWF and AEF concluded that the shortfall in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) in the Southeast by 2050 would be tiny - less than 1 percent. Jean Leston, senior transport policy advisor at WWF-UK, said: “This report is just the latest in aviation industry 'groupthink' that new runways will magically lift us out of recession. It’s time they got back down to earth and thought about the climate impacts of what they’re saying. Every time we build more high carbon infrastructure, such as airports and runways, we’re pushing the world towards dangerous climate change. And we can forget any chance of hitting UK climate targets." Tim Johnson, director of AEF, added: "I am alarmed that the CAA, who have no official status as aviation policy advisors, are now trying to tell the Government what to do. Their calls for more capacity are the latest in industry lobbying that would see us return to the bad old days of unconstrained aviation growth at a time that people are flying less and there is spare capacity that could be better used, in the Southeast and elsewhere.” ENDS Notes to the editor: 1. The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that, in most regions, there is available runway and terminal capacity to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> 2. Excluding Heathrow, a 15% growth in passenger loading is assumed for Southeast airports over the next 40 years, from 107 to 123 passengers per aircraft. For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-10" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3327) "WWF and the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) today rejected the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) report claiming that new runways are needed in the Southeast in order to meet consumer demand. The CAA's report ignores the advice of the Government’s climate advisers and is also in direct contradiction to Government policy to make the most of the airport capacity we already have.According to WWF and AEF's assessment of available UK airport capacity (1), there is already sufficient capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet future demand, in line with the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommended limits to aviation growth to ensure the sector plays a role in limiting its carbon emissions. The analysis shows that a small shortfall is expected in the Southeast which is not sufficient to require a new runway, so long as the trend towards larger aircraft continues. Using BAA forecasts at the Terminal 5 inquiry, which show average passenger numbers per aircraft increasing from 143 to 198 over time, and assuming that other Southeast airports would also reflect the trend towards higher passenger loading, albeit at a lesser extent (2), WWF and AEF concluded that the shortfall in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) in the Southeast by 2050 would be tiny - less than 1 percent. Jean Leston, senior transport policy advisor at WWF-UK, said: “This report is just the latest in aviation industry 'groupthink' that new runways will magically lift us out of recession. It’s time they got back down to earth and thought about the climate impacts of what they’re saying. Every time we build more high carbon infrastructure, such as airports and runways, we’re pushing the world towards dangerous climate change. And we can forget any chance of hitting UK climate targets." Tim Johnson, director of AEF, added: "I am alarmed that the CAA, who have no official status as aviation policy advisors, are now trying to tell the Government what to do. Their calls for more capacity are the latest in industry lobbying that would see us return to the bad old days of unconstrained aviation growth at a time that people are flying less and there is spare capacity that could be better used, in the Southeast and elsewhere.” ENDS Notes to the editor: 1. The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that, in most regions, there is available runway and terminal capacity to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> 2. Excluding Heathrow, a 15% growth in passenger loading is assumed for Southeast airports over the next 40 years, from 107 to 123 passengers per aircraft. For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [17]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(80) "WWF-UK response to Defra announcement of funding for endangered species projects" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5582" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2812) "Defra have today announced investments totalling £1.3 million for a range of projects dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most endangered and best-loved species. In response, Heather Sohl, senior species policy officer at WWF-UK commented:“So many of the planet's most treasured and revered species are under threat due to human activities; poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction are having a devastating impact. WWF-UK is therefore thrilled that Defra is investing in a number of projects that will tackle these threats. It’s vital that governments recognise and support the conservation of these species and their habitats, which are so closely linked to the wellbeing and survival of people around the world.” Tigers - There are currently as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Tigers are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. During the last century more than 95% of the world's wild tiger population vanished. Three subspecies of tiger are already extinct: the Bali tiger became extinct in the 1940s, the Caspian tiger in the early 1970s and the Javan in the mid 1970s. Rhino - There are around 25,000 African rhinos in the wild. The black rhino is classified as critically endangered and the white rhino as near threatened on the IUCN RedList. There are four subspecies of black rhino; one, the western black rhino, was declared extinct in 2011. Rhino poaching is on the increase - in 2010, South Africa along lost 333 rhinos, with the worst hit area being Kruger National Park which lost nearly 150 rhinos. The number of rhino poached in South Africa this year was even higher with more than 400 rhino killed. In Asia, the second to last population of Javan rhinos became extinct in 2010, from Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park. Now fewer than 50 Javan rhinos remain in the wild, all on the island of Java, Indonesia. Elephants - There are an estimated 600,000 African elephants in the wild. African elephants are a threatened species - they are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Forest elephants are plummeting and heading towards local extinction in Central Africa due to rampant poaching for the ivory trade, which is mostly destined for Asian markets.” Contact Johannah Sargent on 07867 697 519, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a> for further details ENDS • For more information on WWF's work to protect species and habitats, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2011-12-30" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2812) "Defra have today announced investments totalling £1.3 million for a range of projects dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most endangered and best-loved species. In response, Heather Sohl, senior species policy officer at WWF-UK commented:“So many of the planet's most treasured and revered species are under threat due to human activities; poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction are having a devastating impact. WWF-UK is therefore thrilled that Defra is investing in a number of projects that will tackle these threats. It’s vital that governments recognise and support the conservation of these species and their habitats, which are so closely linked to the wellbeing and survival of people around the world.” Tigers - There are currently as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Tigers are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. During the last century more than 95% of the world's wild tiger population vanished. Three subspecies of tiger are already extinct: the Bali tiger became extinct in the 1940s, the Caspian tiger in the early 1970s and the Javan in the mid 1970s. Rhino - There are around 25,000 African rhinos in the wild. The black rhino is classified as critically endangered and the white rhino as near threatened on the IUCN RedList. There are four subspecies of black rhino; one, the western black rhino, was declared extinct in 2011. Rhino poaching is on the increase - in 2010, South Africa along lost 333 rhinos, with the worst hit area being Kruger National Park which lost nearly 150 rhinos. The number of rhino poached in South Africa this year was even higher with more than 400 rhino killed. In Asia, the second to last population of Javan rhinos became extinct in 2010, from Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park. Now fewer than 50 Javan rhinos remain in the wild, all on the island of Java, Indonesia. Elephants - There are an estimated 600,000 African elephants in the wild. African elephants are a threatened species - they are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Forest elephants are plummeting and heading towards local extinction in Central Africa due to rampant poaching for the ivory trade, which is mostly destined for Asian markets.” Contact Johannah Sargent on 07867 697 519, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a> for further details ENDS • For more information on WWF's work to protect species and habitats, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/</a> " } [18]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(64) "MP’s planning recommendations ‘pragmatic and constructive’" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5557" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2800) "WWF said today (21 December) that the Communities and Local Government Committee’s recommendations for improving the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) were ‘pragmatic and constructive’.Emmalene Gottwald, senior planning advisor at WWF-UK, said: “It’s a welcome relief to see that the Committee has taken such a pragmatic and constructive approach to its report on the inquiry into the draft NPPF. They haven’t shied away from really investigating the tough issues and providing strong recommendations to Government on how to amend and improve the NPPF so that it provides a clear, balanced framework. “They’re absolutely right about the need to better define what ‘sustainable development’ is and to highlight that the planning system must address the environmental and social aspects of development as well as the economic ones. We are pleased that the Committee has recognised the role the planning system has to play in achieving long term economic prosperity for Britain, where all aspects of sustainable development are treated equally and not traded off against each other. “We welcome the recommendation to remove the ‘default yes’ for development, as it did run the risk of unchecked, poorly planned development that would harm the natural environment and local communities for many generations to come. Hopefully we can all now resolve in the New Year to agree a planning framework that suits everyone.” WWF today called on the Government to properly take on board the Committee recommendations, particularly to follow through with improving the definition of sustainable development, and removing the imbalance between economic growth and social and environmental wellbeing. WWF also called for an urgent announcement on the transitional arrangements to be made before the revised NPPF is released. It would welcome a second consultation on the revised NPPF, to sense check and ensure agreement and buy-in, which is likely to reduce opposition and the possibility for legal challenge. ENDS Notes to editors 1. WWF-UK’s written evidence on the National Planning Policy Framework inquiry can be found here: <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2011-12-21" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2800) "WWF said today (21 December) that the Communities and Local Government Committee’s recommendations for improving the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) were ‘pragmatic and constructive’.Emmalene Gottwald, senior planning advisor at WWF-UK, said: “It’s a welcome relief to see that the Committee has taken such a pragmatic and constructive approach to its report on the inquiry into the draft NPPF. They haven’t shied away from really investigating the tough issues and providing strong recommendations to Government on how to amend and improve the NPPF so that it provides a clear, balanced framework. “They’re absolutely right about the need to better define what ‘sustainable development’ is and to highlight that the planning system must address the environmental and social aspects of development as well as the economic ones. We are pleased that the Committee has recognised the role the planning system has to play in achieving long term economic prosperity for Britain, where all aspects of sustainable development are treated equally and not traded off against each other. “We welcome the recommendation to remove the ‘default yes’ for development, as it did run the risk of unchecked, poorly planned development that would harm the natural environment and local communities for many generations to come. Hopefully we can all now resolve in the New Year to agree a planning framework that suits everyone.” WWF today called on the Government to properly take on board the Committee recommendations, particularly to follow through with improving the definition of sustainable development, and removing the imbalance between economic growth and social and environmental wellbeing. WWF also called for an urgent announcement on the transitional arrangements to be made before the revised NPPF is released. It would welcome a second consultation on the revised NPPF, to sense check and ensure agreement and buy-in, which is likely to reduce opposition and the possibility for legal challenge. ENDS Notes to editors 1. WWF-UK’s written evidence on the National Planning Policy Framework inquiry can be found here: <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [19]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(44) "Lord Turner to step down as Chair of the CCC" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5578" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1119) "Lord Turner today announced that he is standing down as Chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) from spring 2012 in order to focus on his role as Chair of the Financial Services Authority (FSA).Commenting, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Lord Turner was an inspired choice to be the Committee on Climate Change's first chair, and he will be a hard act to follow. It will be important to find an equally impressive successor to make the case for strong, credible implementation of the Climate Change Act. A growing number of developed and developing countries are looking to the UK's Act as a great framework to guide the move to a green economy - so preserving its integrity could not be a more important task." ENDS Committee on Climate Change press release: <a href="http://www.theccc.org.uk/news">http://www.theccc.org.uk/news</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="http://GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2011-12-21" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1119) "Lord Turner today announced that he is standing down as Chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) from spring 2012 in order to focus on his role as Chair of the Financial Services Authority (FSA).Commenting, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Lord Turner was an inspired choice to be the Committee on Climate Change's first chair, and he will be a hard act to follow. It will be important to find an equally impressive successor to make the case for strong, credible implementation of the Climate Change Act. 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["header"]=> array(5) { ["date"]=> string(29) "Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:48:18 GMT" ["server"]=> string(21) "Apache/2.2.3 (CentOS)" ["set-cookie"]=> array(2) { [0]=> array(2) { [0]=> array(2) { [0]=> array(2) { [0]=> string(58) "CFID=89866951;expires=Mon, 03-Feb-2042 17:48:18 GMT;path=/" [1]=> string(61) "CFTOKEN=80009183;expires=Mon, 03-Feb-2042 17:48:18 GMT;path=/" } [1]=> string(54) "JSESSIONID=083066a108f9cc3b18be73a3666435e207ec;path=/" } [1]=> string(20) "CFID=89866951;path=/" } [1]=> string(23) "CFTOKEN=80009183;path=/" } ["connection"]=> string(5) "close" ["content-type"]=> string(23) "text/xml; charset=utf-8" } } } ["feed"]=> object(MagpieRSS)#70 (31) { ["parser"]=> resource(480) of type (Unknown) ["current_item"]=> array(0) { } ["items"]=> array(20) { [0]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(40) "Western gray whale spotted in the Thames" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5661" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(6836) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href="http://www.walktheplank.co.uk">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-08" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(6836) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href="http://www.walktheplank.co.uk">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " } [1]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(44) "WWF: comment on KPMG renewable energy report" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5659" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1816) "Commenting on the news today that KPMG have decided not to release a report criticising the cost of renewable sources of energy*, Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF-UK, said: "The whole issue of energy bills and renewable energy has been whipped up into a media storm over recent months, with scant regard to the real evidence base. The Daily Mail has run three corrections to lead articles which tried, erroneously, to blame green policies for the increase in consumer bills. KPMG's report led to a Sunday Times article and informed a very skewed BBC documentary on renewables, but now it seems that it may never see the light of day. We urgently need to inject some integrity and honesty back into this debate." *BusinessGreen: KPMG refuses to release controversial green energy report (7 Feb 2012): <a href="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report ">http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report </a> *BBC Panorama - Clarification: What's Fuelling Your Energy Bill? (31 Jan 2012): <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm</a> <o:p></o:p>  For further information please contact: <div>George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a></div>" ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-07" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1816) "Commenting on the news today that KPMG have decided not to release a report criticising the cost of renewable sources of energy*, Keith Allott, head of climate change, WWF-UK, said: "The whole issue of energy bills and renewable energy has been whipped up into a media storm over recent months, with scant regard to the real evidence base. The Daily Mail has run three corrections to lead articles which tried, erroneously, to blame green policies for the increase in consumer bills. KPMG's report led to a Sunday Times article and informed a very skewed BBC documentary on renewables, but now it seems that it may never see the light of day. We urgently need to inject some integrity and honesty back into this debate." *BusinessGreen: KPMG refuses to release controversial green energy report (7 Feb 2012): <a href="http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report ">http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2144519/exclusive-kpmg-scraps-controversial-green-energy-report </a> *BBC Panorama - Clarification: What's Fuelling Your Energy Bill? (31 Jan 2012): <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9691000/9691095.stm</a> <o:p></o:p>  For further information please contact: <div>George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a></div>" } [2]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(68) "Spike in greenhouse gas emissions a ‘wake up call’ to government" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5657" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2059) "WWF today said that the first upturn in UK greenhouse gas emissions for a decade was an extremely worrying development and a ‘wake up call’ to government.WWF said that the spike in emissions from the residential sector shows in particular the urgent need to step up the pace on improving residential energy efficiency, both to reduce emissions and to tackle fuel poverty. As it currently stands, the Government’s Green Deal looks likely to reduce the number of energy efficiency installations at a time when we need to see an increase. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “If the government ever needed a wake up call on greenhouse gas emissions here it is. Whilst there were specific factors contributing to this increase, it’s clear that a step change is needed if the UK is to remain on track on tackling climate change. “In particular it is alarming to see emissions from homes rising when people are struggling to pay their energy bills. The government must ensure that its policies on energy efficiency deliver at scale to reduce emissions and protect consumers. “The UK's overreliance on gas has pushed up emissions along with people’s energy bills. It’s a clear sign that the government needs to back investors in renewable energy and get us off the fossil fuel hook once and for all.” ENDS 1. DECC: 2010 UK greenhouse gas emissions, 7 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf">http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-07" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2059) "WWF today said that the first upturn in UK greenhouse gas emissions for a decade was an extremely worrying development and a ‘wake up call’ to government.WWF said that the spike in emissions from the residential sector shows in particular the urgent need to step up the pace on improving residential energy efficiency, both to reduce emissions and to tackle fuel poverty. As it currently stands, the Government’s Green Deal looks likely to reduce the number of energy efficiency installations at a time when we need to see an increase. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “If the government ever needed a wake up call on greenhouse gas emissions here it is. Whilst there were specific factors contributing to this increase, it’s clear that a step change is needed if the UK is to remain on track on tackling climate change. “In particular it is alarming to see emissions from homes rising when people are struggling to pay their energy bills. The government must ensure that its policies on energy efficiency deliver at scale to reduce emissions and protect consumers. “The UK's overreliance on gas has pushed up emissions along with people’s energy bills. It’s a clear sign that the government needs to back investors in renewable energy and get us off the fossil fuel hook once and for all.” ENDS 1. DECC: 2010 UK greenhouse gas emissions, 7 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf">http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/stats/climate-change/4282-statistical-release-2010-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissi.pdf</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [3]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(55) "Ministerial support ‘vital’ for investor confidence" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5653" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2464) "Responding to comments by the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today, WWF said that long-term policy signals and ministerial support were crucial for boosting private investment in renewable energy and the green economy.David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK said: “Investor confidence is vital to build a sustainable and resilient economy, so it’s essential that senior members of the government give consistent vocal support to renewables, green jobs and the low-carbon economy." “I’ve heard from renewable energy investors that negative comments from senior politicians on going green impact directly on their ability to raise funds for investment in the UK. “The notable exception is Scotland where, as a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report [1] highlighted, strong support from the devolved government has been a key factor in Scotland becoming a major player in the renewable energy sector.” Responding to comments by energy and climate change secretary Edward Davey, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Ed Davey’s entirely right about the need to rebalance our economy away from a dependence on oil and gas. If the UK is serious about tackling climate change then renewables, and wind energy in particular, will have to play a significant role. "The cost of renewables is steadily declining and will come down further if industry has the confidence to invest and expand in the UK. But if the UK chops and changes its energy policy this confidence will disappear and we’ll miss a promising source of growth and new jobs.” ENDS Notes to editors: 1. BBC News: Renewables growth 'to continue' in Scotland during 2012, 30 Jan 2012: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 ">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 </a> 2. DECC press release: Going for growth means going for green, 6 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx">http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-06" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2464) "Responding to comments by the deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today, WWF said that long-term policy signals and ministerial support were crucial for boosting private investment in renewable energy and the green economy.David Nussbaum, chief executive of WWF-UK said: “Investor confidence is vital to build a sustainable and resilient economy, so it’s essential that senior members of the government give consistent vocal support to renewables, green jobs and the low-carbon economy." “I’ve heard from renewable energy investors that negative comments from senior politicians on going green impact directly on their ability to raise funds for investment in the UK. “The notable exception is Scotland where, as a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report [1] highlighted, strong support from the devolved government has been a key factor in Scotland becoming a major player in the renewable energy sector.” Responding to comments by energy and climate change secretary Edward Davey, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Ed Davey’s entirely right about the need to rebalance our economy away from a dependence on oil and gas. If the UK is serious about tackling climate change then renewables, and wind energy in particular, will have to play a significant role. "The cost of renewables is steadily declining and will come down further if industry has the confidence to invest and expand in the UK. But if the UK chops and changes its energy policy this confidence will disappear and we’ll miss a promising source of growth and new jobs.” ENDS Notes to editors: 1. BBC News: Renewables growth 'to continue' in Scotland during 2012, 30 Jan 2012: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 ">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16782023 </a> 2. DECC press release: Going for growth means going for green, 6 Feb 2012: <a href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx">http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn12_007/pn12_007.aspx</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " } [4]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(27) "WWF: Comment on Chris Huhne" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5646" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1022) "Commenting on the resignation today of Chris Huhne, secretary of state for energy and climate change, Margaret Ounsley, head of public affairs, WWF-UK, said: "Chris Huhne understood the very complex issue of climate change, and fought his corner long and hard within the government to ensure that core policies, such as the fourth carbon budget, were delivered, against the nay-saying of the Treasury. His negotiating skills in Cancun were also key in helping to get the climate change talks back on track after Copenhagen. Whoever succeeds him will have some tough battles ahead of them in order to ensure that the ambition of the Climate Change Act is delivered." For futher information, please contact:  George Smeeton, Senior Press Officer, WWF-UK e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,115,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gsmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> t: 01483 412 388 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-03" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1022) "Commenting on the resignation today of Chris Huhne, secretary of state for energy and climate change, Margaret Ounsley, head of public affairs, WWF-UK, said: "Chris Huhne understood the very complex issue of climate change, and fought his corner long and hard within the government to ensure that core policies, such as the fourth carbon budget, were delivered, against the nay-saying of the Treasury. His negotiating skills in Cancun were also key in helping to get the climate change talks back on track after Copenhagen. Whoever succeeds him will have some tough battles ahead of them in order to ensure that the ambition of the Climate Change Act is delivered." For futher information, please contact:  George Smeeton, Senior Press Officer, WWF-UK e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,115,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gsmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> t: 01483 412 388 " } [5]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(57) "WWF: Building Regulations move will strengthen Green Deal" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5639" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1993) "The announcement by the Department of Communities and Local Government that they will include a requirement on consequential improvements within the Building Regulations, was today welcomed by WWF.Consequential improvements require those householders undertaking extensions to their property to upgrade the energy efficiency of the existing property to the same standard as the new extension, thereby reducing the carbon emissions from that property. Zoe Leader, sustainable homes policy officer at WWF-UK, said: "We are delighted that upon the third time of trying, this requirement has actually made it into the consultation document. WWF has long argued for the need to include this simple yet effective measure to support energy efficiency uptake in the domestic sector and with the Green Deal imminent this is now even easier. " "The need has never been greater for the UK to cut its carbon emissions and this will need a concerted effort across all Government departments. Today’s announcement sends a positive signal that Government is serious about the Green Deal and improving our housing stock across the piece and we hope to see more of this joined up policy approach in our move to a low carbon future in the UK." ENDS Notes to editors DCLG press release <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965">http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965</a> DCLG report <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf">http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf </a> Contact Kellie Rollings, Press Officer, e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a>, t: 01483 412340 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-02-01" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1993) "The announcement by the Department of Communities and Local Government that they will include a requirement on consequential improvements within the Building Regulations, was today welcomed by WWF.Consequential improvements require those householders undertaking extensions to their property to upgrade the energy efficiency of the existing property to the same standard as the new extension, thereby reducing the carbon emissions from that property. Zoe Leader, sustainable homes policy officer at WWF-UK, said: "We are delighted that upon the third time of trying, this requirement has actually made it into the consultation document. WWF has long argued for the need to include this simple yet effective measure to support energy efficiency uptake in the domestic sector and with the Green Deal imminent this is now even easier. " "The need has never been greater for the UK to cut its carbon emissions and this will need a concerted effort across all Government departments. Today’s announcement sends a positive signal that Government is serious about the Green Deal and improving our housing stock across the piece and we hope to see more of this joined up policy approach in our move to a low carbon future in the UK." ENDS Notes to editors DCLG press release <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965">http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/2077965</a> DCLG report <a href="http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf">http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077834.pdf </a> Contact Kellie Rollings, Press Officer, e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a>, t: 01483 412340 " } [6]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(53) "High-level call for green revolution should be heeded" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5631" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(4824) "WWF today welcomed a call from the UN High-Level Panel for Global Sustainability, recommending a radical redesign of the global economy, in order to create a healthy environment and improve people’s wellbeing.Released in advance of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, which will be held in June 2012, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future worth Choosing, was produced by a panel co-chaired by South African president Jacob Zuma and Finnish President Tarja Halonen. “The Global Sustainability report gives the highest level political signal yet of greater readiness to take the bold steps needed to build a prosperous future,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International. “This report makes the alarming point that while we are already exceeding the Earth’s capacity to support us, by 2030 we will need 50 per cent more food, 45 per cent more energy and 30 per cent more water than we do today. “The High-Level Panel report offers a vision for meeting those challenges. As negotiators develop the text for the Rio Summit in June, we look to them to embrace the urgency and commitments needed to turn this vision into reality.” Convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2010, the panel was charged with providing a vision for sustainability, growth and prosperity in the years to come, along with a framework for moving past political and economic hurdles that could put progress at risk. The report could prove a useful successor to Our Common Future, the 1987 Brundtland Report, which championed the concept of sustainable development and became the basis of the original 1992 Rio Earth Summit. WWF therefore urges political leaders to create the enabling conditions that will allow for the “21st century Green Revolution” that the paper is calling for. However, much like the Rio+20 first negotiating draft issued earlier this month, the report is still weak on binding commitments. While the recommendations for economic and institutional reform are positive, the report fails to suggest any concrete, time-bound commitments for progress, leaving policies open to governments to implement as they see fit. WWF also believes that the Rio negotiations need to further consider social issues, and making a clear link between people’s welfare and environmental health. "This report provides a vision for the Rio Conference matching the scale of the global challenges we face,” said David Norman, campaigns director at WWF-UK. “We now urge the UK Government to lead international efforts to get firm commitments to as many of these recommendations as possible signed during the summit in Rio." KEY POINTS WITHIN THE REPORT: The Global Sustainability report focuses on a number of essential measures to create a “green economy”. WWF welcomes the wide-ranging recommendations which include: • incorporating social and environmental costs in the regulation and pricing of goods; • the phasing out of counter-productive subsidies (particularly fossil fuel subsidies); • a requirement for business groups to work with governments and international agencies to report annually on environmental practices; • the establishment of a “beyond GDP” Sustainable Development Index or set of indicators to be developed by 2014. The second important area covered by the report relates to the strengthening of institutional governance at all levels. Recommendations include: • the establishment of universal Sustainable Development Goals to compliment and succeed the Millennium Development Goals post-2015; • the establishment of a new UN Global Sustainable Development Council; • a peer review mechanism to enable states to share experiences and lessons learned. Other key areas of the report include: • the recognition of the links between food, water and energy and the fact that they should not be treated as separate issues; • the need to give priority to challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems; • funds for transition to sustainable development to developing countries; • increased resources for disaster risk reduction; • Measures to mobilise finance for investment in the natural world. ENDS For further information, please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Officer WWF-UK <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,32,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@ wwf.org.uk</a> 07867 697 519 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-30" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(4824) "WWF today welcomed a call from the UN High-Level Panel for Global Sustainability, recommending a radical redesign of the global economy, in order to create a healthy environment and improve people’s wellbeing.Released in advance of the Rio+20 Earth Summit, which will be held in June 2012, Resilient People, Resilient Planet: A Future worth Choosing, was produced by a panel co-chaired by South African president Jacob Zuma and Finnish President Tarja Halonen. “The Global Sustainability report gives the highest level political signal yet of greater readiness to take the bold steps needed to build a prosperous future,” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International. “This report makes the alarming point that while we are already exceeding the Earth’s capacity to support us, by 2030 we will need 50 per cent more food, 45 per cent more energy and 30 per cent more water than we do today. “The High-Level Panel report offers a vision for meeting those challenges. As negotiators develop the text for the Rio Summit in June, we look to them to embrace the urgency and commitments needed to turn this vision into reality.” Convened by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2010, the panel was charged with providing a vision for sustainability, growth and prosperity in the years to come, along with a framework for moving past political and economic hurdles that could put progress at risk. The report could prove a useful successor to Our Common Future, the 1987 Brundtland Report, which championed the concept of sustainable development and became the basis of the original 1992 Rio Earth Summit. WWF therefore urges political leaders to create the enabling conditions that will allow for the “21st century Green Revolution” that the paper is calling for. However, much like the Rio+20 first negotiating draft issued earlier this month, the report is still weak on binding commitments. While the recommendations for economic and institutional reform are positive, the report fails to suggest any concrete, time-bound commitments for progress, leaving policies open to governments to implement as they see fit. WWF also believes that the Rio negotiations need to further consider social issues, and making a clear link between people’s welfare and environmental health. "This report provides a vision for the Rio Conference matching the scale of the global challenges we face,” said David Norman, campaigns director at WWF-UK. “We now urge the UK Government to lead international efforts to get firm commitments to as many of these recommendations as possible signed during the summit in Rio." KEY POINTS WITHIN THE REPORT: The Global Sustainability report focuses on a number of essential measures to create a “green economy”. WWF welcomes the wide-ranging recommendations which include: • incorporating social and environmental costs in the regulation and pricing of goods; • the phasing out of counter-productive subsidies (particularly fossil fuel subsidies); • a requirement for business groups to work with governments and international agencies to report annually on environmental practices; • the establishment of a “beyond GDP” Sustainable Development Index or set of indicators to be developed by 2014. The second important area covered by the report relates to the strengthening of institutional governance at all levels. Recommendations include: • the establishment of universal Sustainable Development Goals to compliment and succeed the Millennium Development Goals post-2015; • the establishment of a new UN Global Sustainable Development Council; • a peer review mechanism to enable states to share experiences and lessons learned. Other key areas of the report include: • the recognition of the links between food, water and energy and the fact that they should not be treated as separate issues; • the need to give priority to challenges facing marine and coastal ecosystems; • funds for transition to sustainable development to developing countries; • increased resources for disaster risk reduction; • Measures to mobilise finance for investment in the natural world. ENDS For further information, please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Officer WWF-UK <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,32,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@ wwf.org.uk</a> 07867 697 519 " } [7]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(32) "IS THERE A PANDA IN YOUR POCKET?" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5625" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2926) "Discover WWF’s hidden treasures and win prizes! WWF has launched an online treasure hunt today to celebrate the fact that our 50p coin is going into circulation. One million coins have been created to celebrate 50 years of the conservation organisation. The design shows WWF’s well-known panda logo, surrounded by 50 images that represent WWF’s work to safeguard the environment and protect some of the planet’s most iconic species. So now that everyone has the chance to find the panda in their pocket, WWF has created a fun way of learning more about the way we work and win great prizes in the process. Launching today, the online treasure hunt encourages people to solve a series of clues, in order to find five icons which have been hidden around the WWF website. Each time a clue is unravelled it leads to the next puzzle. Once you have found all five clues, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic Flip Ultra 3rd generation camcorder or one of ten great runner-up prizes, including a commemorative 50p coin pack, a year-long snow leopard adoption and a Panda Made Me Do It t-shirt. “WWF is thrilled that we were able to celebrate our 50th anniversary in such a special way - I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the coin every time I go shopping” said Siobhan Wakely, brand communications manager at WWF-UK. “But even if you aren’t lucky enough to find a panda in your pocket money, our online treasure hunt will still give you the chance to get involved too, and hopefully learn a little more about the wonderful world we live in.” Over the past 50 years, WWF and its millions of supporters have achieved countless successes from preserving existing species such as mountain gorillas, polar bears and giant pandas, to helping the development of international agreements for the protection of the planet. To find out more about the coin and take part to the treasure hunt visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt">www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt </a> ENDS Notes to editors For more information and high res images please contact: Giulia Biasibetti | WWF-UK | <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,98,105,97,115,105,98,101,116,116,105,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gbiasibetti@wwf.org.uk</a> | +44 (0) 1483 412490 • The competition opens on 26 January 2012 and closing date for entries is 1pm on 26 March 2012. Winners will be notified by 17.00 on 13 April 2012. • The new 50p coin has been released by the Royal Mint and was designed by award-winning graphic designer Matthew Dent. It shows WWF’s panda logo surrounded by 50 images symbolising our environmental and conservation work, from species to footprints and wind turbines. " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-26" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2926) "Discover WWF’s hidden treasures and win prizes! WWF has launched an online treasure hunt today to celebrate the fact that our 50p coin is going into circulation. One million coins have been created to celebrate 50 years of the conservation organisation. The design shows WWF’s well-known panda logo, surrounded by 50 images that represent WWF’s work to safeguard the environment and protect some of the planet’s most iconic species. So now that everyone has the chance to find the panda in their pocket, WWF has created a fun way of learning more about the way we work and win great prizes in the process. Launching today, the online treasure hunt encourages people to solve a series of clues, in order to find five icons which have been hidden around the WWF website. Each time a clue is unravelled it leads to the next puzzle. Once you have found all five clues, you will be entered into a prize draw to win a fantastic Flip Ultra 3rd generation camcorder or one of ten great runner-up prizes, including a commemorative 50p coin pack, a year-long snow leopard adoption and a Panda Made Me Do It t-shirt. “WWF is thrilled that we were able to celebrate our 50th anniversary in such a special way - I’m keeping my eyes peeled for the coin every time I go shopping” said Siobhan Wakely, brand communications manager at WWF-UK. “But even if you aren’t lucky enough to find a panda in your pocket money, our online treasure hunt will still give you the chance to get involved too, and hopefully learn a little more about the wonderful world we live in.” Over the past 50 years, WWF and its millions of supporters have achieved countless successes from preserving existing species such as mountain gorillas, polar bears and giant pandas, to helping the development of international agreements for the protection of the planet. To find out more about the coin and take part to the treasure hunt visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt">www.wwf.org.uk/treasurehunt </a> ENDS Notes to editors For more information and high res images please contact: Giulia Biasibetti | WWF-UK | <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,98,105,97,115,105,98,101,116,116,105,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">gbiasibetti@wwf.org.uk</a> | +44 (0) 1483 412490 • The competition opens on 26 January 2012 and closing date for entries is 1pm on 26 March 2012. Winners will be notified by 17.00 on 13 April 2012. • The new 50p coin has been released by the Royal Mint and was designed by award-winning graphic designer Matthew Dent. It shows WWF’s panda logo surrounded by 50 images symbolising our environmental and conservation work, from species to footprints and wind turbines. " } [8]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(51) "Fishing: Reform must protect all the world's oceans" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5622" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(4989) "New rules are urgently needed to ensure all UK and other EU-flagged fishing boats operating in waters outside of Europe, are operating in a sustainable way and to the same standards as they would back home, said WWF-UK today (Wednesday 25 January).The conservation group made the call as it published a new study [1] revealing in greater detail how commercial fishing globally has dramatically expanded its areas of operation – to now cover over one-third of the world’s ocean surface - and seriously questioning the sustainablity of this level of exploitation of marine resources. The report highlighted a number of factors have contributed to this expansion: • Improved technology and subsidies have made European fleets more mobile than most global fleets since 1980; • The negotiation of ‘access agreements’ with developing countries (usually African); and • The practice of re-flagging (where EU boats evade EU rules by adopting a non-EU country’s flag). With over 700 officially EU-flagged vessels [2] now exploiting fisheries outside of Europe – including some as far away as the Indian Ocean and the southern Atlantic – WWF-UK said it was vital that ongoing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) include measures to ensure all EU-flagged vessels fish sustainably, whevever they operate in the world. Giles Bartlett, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF-UK said: “It may surprise many people to learn that a number of UK-registered boats, along with hundreds of others from across Europe, are operating as far away as the Indian Ocean and south Atlantic to catch fish. With many of Europe’s fish stocks now depleted, improved technology along with subsidies have encouraged a growing number of EU vessels to exploit fishing opportunities across the world. “We have a unique opportunity to fix the broken Common Fisheries Policy, which has allowed many unsustainable practices to flourish. It is vital any reform guarantees vessels that fish abroad follow the same rules and respect the same sustainablity principles as those operating within EU waters. “We urge the UK Government to ensure not only our own fleet, but all other EU vessels adopt sustainable practices wherever they operate in the world. If the EU fails to take a leadership role in global fisheries management and ocean protection, it will further contribute to the global fisheries crisis and jeopardise global food security in the long run.” Notes to the editor [1] Spatial expansion of EU and non-EU fishing fleets into the global ocean, 1950 to the present. Sea Around Us project, University of British Columbia, 2011. Available now. The study for WWF has for the first time transposed data about the global expansion of fishing activity, from 1950 to the present, to an <a href="http://wwf.ixtract.de/">animated map</a> - http://wwf.ixtract.de/ . It shows that European vessels are now traveling to the furthest corners of the world to exploit fish stocks. Declining domestic catches and efforts to reduce the number of vessels fishing in European waters have resulted in much of the European tuna and other pelagic fleets concentrating their fishing efforts overseas. [2] According to the EU, in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage. The 718 vessels broken down by Member State: Spain: 424 (59%) France: 100 (14%) Portugal: 73 (10%) Italy: 52 (7%) Greece: 18 (3%) Lithuania: 12 (2%) Estonia: 10 (1%) UK: 9 (1%) Others (Latvia, Germany, Poland, Malta, Denmark, Cyprus): 20 (3%) Source: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/studies/study_external_fleet/external_fleet_2008_en.pdf [3] UK vessels operating in non-EU waters: According to DEFRA, in 2011 the UK had vessels fishing or licenced to fish in third country/external waters as follows: • Indian Ocean (under Indian Ocean Tuna Commission): 4 vessels fishing under agreements with Mozambique and Madagascar. • Mauritania: 1 vessel under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Falkland Islands: 1 vessel under private agreement • Morocco: 2 vessels (although only 1 operated in 2011) under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Northwest Atlantic: 1 vessel in Northest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) zone under Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) agreement In addition, the UK also had 125 vessels fishing in Norwegian waters under the traditional bilateral arrangements. There are also 3 vessels licensed to fish in Greenland waters. " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-25" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(4989) "New rules are urgently needed to ensure all UK and other EU-flagged fishing boats operating in waters outside of Europe, are operating in a sustainable way and to the same standards as they would back home, said WWF-UK today (Wednesday 25 January).The conservation group made the call as it published a new study [1] revealing in greater detail how commercial fishing globally has dramatically expanded its areas of operation – to now cover over one-third of the world’s ocean surface - and seriously questioning the sustainablity of this level of exploitation of marine resources. The report highlighted a number of factors have contributed to this expansion: • Improved technology and subsidies have made European fleets more mobile than most global fleets since 1980; • The negotiation of ‘access agreements’ with developing countries (usually African); and • The practice of re-flagging (where EU boats evade EU rules by adopting a non-EU country’s flag). With over 700 officially EU-flagged vessels [2] now exploiting fisheries outside of Europe – including some as far away as the Indian Ocean and the southern Atlantic – WWF-UK said it was vital that ongoing reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) include measures to ensure all EU-flagged vessels fish sustainably, whevever they operate in the world. Giles Bartlett, Fisheries Policy Officer at WWF-UK said: “It may surprise many people to learn that a number of UK-registered boats, along with hundreds of others from across Europe, are operating as far away as the Indian Ocean and south Atlantic to catch fish. With many of Europe’s fish stocks now depleted, improved technology along with subsidies have encouraged a growing number of EU vessels to exploit fishing opportunities across the world. “We have a unique opportunity to fix the broken Common Fisheries Policy, which has allowed many unsustainable practices to flourish. It is vital any reform guarantees vessels that fish abroad follow the same rules and respect the same sustainablity principles as those operating within EU waters. “We urge the UK Government to ensure not only our own fleet, but all other EU vessels adopt sustainable practices wherever they operate in the world. If the EU fails to take a leadership role in global fisheries management and ocean protection, it will further contribute to the global fisheries crisis and jeopardise global food security in the long run.” Notes to the editor [1] Spatial expansion of EU and non-EU fishing fleets into the global ocean, 1950 to the present. Sea Around Us project, University of British Columbia, 2011. Available now. The study for WWF has for the first time transposed data about the global expansion of fishing activity, from 1950 to the present, to an <a href="http://wwf.ixtract.de/">animated map</a> - http://wwf.ixtract.de/ . It shows that European vessels are now traveling to the furthest corners of the world to exploit fish stocks. Declining domestic catches and efforts to reduce the number of vessels fishing in European waters have resulted in much of the European tuna and other pelagic fleets concentrating their fishing efforts overseas. [2] According to the EU, in 2008 the EU external fleet comprised of 718 vessels, which represents 25% of the EU fleet in terms of gross tonnage. The 718 vessels broken down by Member State: Spain: 424 (59%) France: 100 (14%) Portugal: 73 (10%) Italy: 52 (7%) Greece: 18 (3%) Lithuania: 12 (2%) Estonia: 10 (1%) UK: 9 (1%) Others (Latvia, Germany, Poland, Malta, Denmark, Cyprus): 20 (3%) Source: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/documentation/studies/study_external_fleet/external_fleet_2008_en.pdf [3] UK vessels operating in non-EU waters: According to DEFRA, in 2011 the UK had vessels fishing or licenced to fish in third country/external waters as follows: • Indian Ocean (under Indian Ocean Tuna Commission): 4 vessels fishing under agreements with Mozambique and Madagascar. • Mauritania: 1 vessel under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Falkland Islands: 1 vessel under private agreement • Morocco: 2 vessels (although only 1 operated in 2011) under a Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) • Northwest Atlantic: 1 vessel in Northest Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO) zone under Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO) agreement In addition, the UK also had 125 vessels fishing in Norwegian waters under the traditional bilateral arrangements. There are also 3 vessels licensed to fish in Greenland waters. " } [9]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(62) "Carbon Tracker & WWF: Coal occupying the London Stock Exchange" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5607" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(5850) " A new report revealing the massive amounts of global coal reserves listed on the London Stock Exchange has been described as the next subprime crisis facing the City. The <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/coalcapital">report</a>, by Carbon Tracker supported by WWF-UK, shows that the London Stock Exchange has accumulated the equivalent of 400 times the UK’s total annual CO2 emissions from coal, or 44.56 GtCO2. It argues that through pension plans and savings, UK investors are exposed to significant risk as coal, the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels, faces tightening emissions regulations around the world. As the recent International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook highlighted, only a fraction of currently-listed fossil fuel assets can be exploited if climate change is to be successfully kept within safe limits. The sub-prime mortgage crisis caught investors out because the assumption that house prices would keep going up proved to be false. The report says that, if the market continues to believe there are no limits to coal-based emissions and brings more coal to London, both investors and the planet will suffer. James Leaton, project director of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, said: “Judging by its short-termist approach to backing high-carbon fossil fuel investments around the world, the City seems to be in complete denial about climate change. The capital markets need to recognise the paradox of continuing to back fossil fuels whilst also continuing to invest in sectors and economies vulnerable to climate change.” Half of the huge coal reserves owned by companies listed in London are supplying developing economies in China, Russia, India and South Africa. London is the financial centre of choice for coal mining companies, with new companies such as Bumi, Glencore, and Evraz coming to raise capital in the City. With natural resources companies now making up a third of the value of the FTSE 100, London has a high concentration in this sector. There is currently no limit to how much coal can be owned by UK listed companies, so investors have no protection from coal reserves becoming stranded assets. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “This report is particularly timely right now, as the recent UN climate talks in Durban were looking at issues such as finance and ways to increase the ambition of emission reduction efforts. If just a fraction of the money that continues to be pumped into fossil fuels was redirected into clean renewable energy investments the world would start to make significant progress in tackling climate change.” Investment banks are currently preparing to offer a significant stake in 5 billion tonnes of Mongolian coal to be listed in London. State company ETT aims to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. Most investors follow the market, either through passively tracking it or benchmarking against it. Currently they will have more carbon added to their portfolio when this company lists, without anyone questioning their exposure to systemic risk. ENDS Notes to editors 1. This research follows Carbon Tracker’s global analysis of the carbon bubble in July 2011, which demonstrated that only 20% of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves can be burnt by 2050 if we are to have an 80% chance of staying below 2 degrees of global warming. Available at <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble</a> 2. The IEA confirmed that reserves exceed the global carbon budget in its World Energy Outlook 2011. Extract available at: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble</a>.  Full report available at: <a href="http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/">http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/</a> 3. Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, (ETT), the Mongolian state-owned natural resources company has been in talks to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. The four investment banks currently selected to lead and arrange the share offering are Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs and Macquarie Group. The Tavan Tolgoi mine is estimated to have at least 5 billion tonnes of coal reserves. More information available at: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html</a>   4. The Carbon Tracker Initiative and WWF-UK were signatories to an open letter to the Bank of England today, as part of a coalition of leading businesses, NGOs and universities urging the Bank to investigate how the UK's exposure to polluting and environmentally damaging investments might pose a systemic risk to the UK financial system and prospects for long term economic growth: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter">http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter</a>   For further information, please contact: James Leaton, project director, Carbon Tracker Initiative, Tel: +44 (0)7841 570657, email: <a href="mailto:jleaton@carbontracker.org">jleaton@carbontracker.org</a>   George Smeeton, senior press officer, WWF-UK, Tel: +44 (0)1483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="mailto:GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a>   " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-19" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(5850) " A new report revealing the massive amounts of global coal reserves listed on the London Stock Exchange has been described as the next subprime crisis facing the City. The <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/coalcapital">report</a>, by Carbon Tracker supported by WWF-UK, shows that the London Stock Exchange has accumulated the equivalent of 400 times the UK’s total annual CO2 emissions from coal, or 44.56 GtCO2. It argues that through pension plans and savings, UK investors are exposed to significant risk as coal, the most carbon-intensive of all fossil fuels, faces tightening emissions regulations around the world. As the recent International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook highlighted, only a fraction of currently-listed fossil fuel assets can be exploited if climate change is to be successfully kept within safe limits. The sub-prime mortgage crisis caught investors out because the assumption that house prices would keep going up proved to be false. The report says that, if the market continues to believe there are no limits to coal-based emissions and brings more coal to London, both investors and the planet will suffer. James Leaton, project director of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, said: “Judging by its short-termist approach to backing high-carbon fossil fuel investments around the world, the City seems to be in complete denial about climate change. The capital markets need to recognise the paradox of continuing to back fossil fuels whilst also continuing to invest in sectors and economies vulnerable to climate change.” Half of the huge coal reserves owned by companies listed in London are supplying developing economies in China, Russia, India and South Africa. London is the financial centre of choice for coal mining companies, with new companies such as Bumi, Glencore, and Evraz coming to raise capital in the City. With natural resources companies now making up a third of the value of the FTSE 100, London has a high concentration in this sector. There is currently no limit to how much coal can be owned by UK listed companies, so investors have no protection from coal reserves becoming stranded assets. Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: “This report is particularly timely right now, as the recent UN climate talks in Durban were looking at issues such as finance and ways to increase the ambition of emission reduction efforts. If just a fraction of the money that continues to be pumped into fossil fuels was redirected into clean renewable energy investments the world would start to make significant progress in tackling climate change.” Investment banks are currently preparing to offer a significant stake in 5 billion tonnes of Mongolian coal to be listed in London. State company ETT aims to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. Most investors follow the market, either through passively tracking it or benchmarking against it. Currently they will have more carbon added to their portfolio when this company lists, without anyone questioning their exposure to systemic risk. ENDS Notes to editors 1. This research follows Carbon Tracker’s global analysis of the carbon bubble in July 2011, which demonstrated that only 20% of the world’s proven fossil fuel reserves can be burnt by 2050 if we are to have an 80% chance of staying below 2 degrees of global warming. Available at <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/carbonbubble</a> 2. The IEA confirmed that reserves exceed the global carbon budget in its World Energy Outlook 2011. Extract available at: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble">http://www.carbontracker.org/news/iea-recognises-the-carbon-bubble</a>.  Full report available at: <a href="http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/">http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/</a> 3. Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, (ETT), the Mongolian state-owned natural resources company has been in talks to raise £3billion by offering 30% of its equity overseas. The four investment banks currently selected to lead and arrange the share offering are Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs and Macquarie Group. The Tavan Tolgoi mine is estimated to have at least 5 billion tonnes of coal reserves. More information available at: <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703842004576163412167115364.html</a>   4. The Carbon Tracker Initiative and WWF-UK were signatories to an open letter to the Bank of England today, as part of a coalition of leading businesses, NGOs and universities urging the Bank to investigate how the UK's exposure to polluting and environmentally damaging investments might pose a systemic risk to the UK financial system and prospects for long term economic growth: <a href="http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter">http://www.carbontracker.org/boeletter</a>   For further information, please contact: James Leaton, project director, Carbon Tracker Initiative, Tel: +44 (0)7841 570657, email: <a href="mailto:jleaton@carbontracker.org">jleaton@carbontracker.org</a>   George Smeeton, senior press officer, WWF-UK, Tel: +44 (0)1483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="mailto:GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a>   " } [10]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(59) "Policy Exchange report ignores benefits of renewable energy" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5604" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3348) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms.WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011:<a href="http:// http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills</a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email:<a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(32,71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-18" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3348) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms.WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011:<a href="http:// http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills</a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email:<a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(32,71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107,32)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a> " } [11]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(53) "WWF REACTION TO MEDIA REPORTS ON A NEW LONDON AIRPORT" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5603" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3516) "WWF is deeply concerned by reports today that the coalition Government could be putting Southeast airport expansion back on the agenda. WWF believes this is neither necessary economically nor sustainable in climate terms.As pointed out in our response to the CAA's call for Southeast airport expansion (1) (<a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586</a>), there is already sufficient available capacity across London's six airports and seven runways to meet demand to 2050 without having to build a further airport, especially given the trend towards larger planes and higher passenger loading. Add to this a decline in domestic flights, growth in train travel, greater use of videoconferencing and reduced business flying and it is impossible to justify further expansion, especially as it would be likely to destroy the UK's chance of meeting legally binding climate targets. Jean Leston, Senior Transport Policy Adviser, WWF-UK said: "The government long ago moved from an unsustainable "predict and provide" model for the UK's road network, when it became obvious that we could not simply build more roads for yet more cars. We need a similar shift in thinking for future aviation policy. Air travel is the UK's fastest growing source of carbon emissions. If we build a new runway or airport in the Southeast, we will be building the single biggest source of carbon in the country, at a time when we should be rapidly reducing our emissions." "Heathrow already offers far more flights to 20 of the world's 27 top business destinations and more business routes than Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt combined (2). The aviation industry is trying to create national hysteria about a need for expansion when they should be looking at the facts: Heathrow's doing just fine in terms of competitiveness and it won't take a £50b new airport completed in the distant future to improve our connectivity." For further information please call the WWF-UK press office on 01483 412 383<o:p></o:p> Notes: (1) The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that there is already sufficient available runway and terminal capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> (2) According to AirportWatch international connectivity research funded by WWF, Heathrow is in a class of its own as far as its connectivity to key business centres is concerned, offering more flights to these destinations than any other airport in Europe. London as a whole also offers a greater number of total flights to the world's main business destinations than other Continental cities. UK connectivity to business destinations, key to economic growth, is still unrivalled. For more information see <a href="http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf">http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-18" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3516) "WWF is deeply concerned by reports today that the coalition Government could be putting Southeast airport expansion back on the agenda. WWF believes this is neither necessary economically nor sustainable in climate terms.As pointed out in our response to the CAA's call for Southeast airport expansion (1) (<a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?unewsid=5586</a>), there is already sufficient available capacity across London's six airports and seven runways to meet demand to 2050 without having to build a further airport, especially given the trend towards larger planes and higher passenger loading. Add to this a decline in domestic flights, growth in train travel, greater use of videoconferencing and reduced business flying and it is impossible to justify further expansion, especially as it would be likely to destroy the UK's chance of meeting legally binding climate targets. Jean Leston, Senior Transport Policy Adviser, WWF-UK said: "The government long ago moved from an unsustainable "predict and provide" model for the UK's road network, when it became obvious that we could not simply build more roads for yet more cars. We need a similar shift in thinking for future aviation policy. Air travel is the UK's fastest growing source of carbon emissions. If we build a new runway or airport in the Southeast, we will be building the single biggest source of carbon in the country, at a time when we should be rapidly reducing our emissions." "Heathrow already offers far more flights to 20 of the world's 27 top business destinations and more business routes than Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt combined (2). The aviation industry is trying to create national hysteria about a need for expansion when they should be looking at the facts: Heathrow's doing just fine in terms of competitiveness and it won't take a £50b new airport completed in the distant future to improve our connectivity." For further information please call the WWF-UK press office on 01483 412 383<o:p></o:p> Notes: (1) The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that there is already sufficient available runway and terminal capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> (2) According to AirportWatch international connectivity research funded by WWF, Heathrow is in a class of its own as far as its connectivity to key business centres is concerned, offering more flights to these destinations than any other airport in Europe. London as a whole also offers a greater number of total flights to the world's main business destinations than other Continental cities. UK connectivity to business destinations, key to economic growth, is still unrivalled. For more information see <a href="http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf">http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads/Business_Connectivity_Report_August2011.pdf</a> " } [12]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(68) "WWF says Policy Exchange report ignores benefits of renewable energy" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5602" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3335) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms. WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011: <a href="http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills ">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills </a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy ">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy </a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a>" ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-18" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3335) "Responding to the new Policy Exchange report (The Full Cost to Households of Renewable Energy Policies) WWF said today that the think-tank is ignoring the benefits renewables could bring and is advocating a risky reliance on market mechanisms. WWF noted that in contrast to the Policy Exchange figures, a Committee on Climate Change (CCC) report last December found renewables will only add £130 to the annual bill by 2020 [1]. The CCC report also clearly showed that if the government puts in place strong policies on energy efficiency then bills can be maintained at 2010 prices. WWF said that Policy Exchange are ignoring the long term economic benefits to the UK in becoming a leader in deployment of renewables such as offshore wind, wave and tidal. For example the latest research from Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) shows that so far this financial year companies have announced plans for almost £2.5billion worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Nick Molho, head of energy policy at WWF-UK said: “Policy Exchange has used some pretty dubious maths and has ignored significant research by authoritative sources. Detailed modelling by CCC, Ofgem and DECC shows the impacts on energy bills will be far lower in 2020 and confirms that bills are sky-high right now because of our over-reliance on fossil fuels – specifically, gas. “Reports like this mislead the public and erode investor confidence in the sector at precisely the time when we need to attract investment. If we want to revitalise the UK’s economy we need to concentrate on building a new industry based on renewable energy and encourage investment through stable policies, not repeated chopping and changing.” Nick Molho added that the research also ignored the reality of the renewable energy market. WWF’s recent Positive Energy report [2] showed that research and development alone is not enough to enable renewable technologies to mature and therefore costs to fall. Policy certainty and deployment at scale are essential both for job creation and cost reduction. Continued support is needed to enable technologies such as offshore wind to develop to the point where they can compete with cheaper low-carbon sources of generation. ENDS Notes to editors 1. CCC report, Household energy bills, December 2011: <a href="http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills ">http://www.theccc.org.uk/reports/household-energy-bills </a> 2. In October 2011, WWF-UK published a report, Positive Energy, showing that renewable sources of energy could meet between 60-90% of the UK’s electricity demand by 2030, which was widely welcomed by businesses, individuals and consumer groups: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy ">www.wwf.org.uk/positiveenergy </a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk </a>" } [13]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(51) "WWF REACTION TO UK GOVERMENT'S PREPARATIONS FOR RIO" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5601" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1007) "Commenting on the UK Government's response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report looking at UK preparations for the Rio Earth Summit, David Norman, head of campaigns at WWF-UK said:"It is disappointing that the UK Government has dismissed the need for an international court on the environment, and that the PM will still not committ to going to the Rio plus 20. The UK government has a proud record of leading the charge internationally on many environmental issues, but they look in danger of being left behind in these talks if they don’t committ to a higher level of activity. And while we obviously welcome their statement that there should be focussed priorities for this conference, it would be useful if we could know in greater detail what they propose these are. " For further comment or information please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Manager WWF-UK 01483 412 375 07867 697 519 " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-16" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1007) "Commenting on the UK Government's response to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report looking at UK preparations for the Rio Earth Summit, David Norman, head of campaigns at WWF-UK said:"It is disappointing that the UK Government has dismissed the need for an international court on the environment, and that the PM will still not committ to going to the Rio plus 20. The UK government has a proud record of leading the charge internationally on many environmental issues, but they look in danger of being left behind in these talks if they don’t committ to a higher level of activity. And while we obviously welcome their statement that there should be focussed priorities for this conference, it would be useful if we could know in greater detail what they propose these are. " For further comment or information please contact: Jo Sargent Senior Media Relations Manager WWF-UK 01483 412 375 07867 697 519 " } [14]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(63) "Pureprint Group and The Co-operative Food graduate from GFTN-UK" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5595" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2909) "Two businesses have graduated from WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) in the UK. The Co-operative Food has become the first retailer to qualify while printing company Pureprint Group has also achieved the milestone.Following an independent audit, The Co-operative Food showed that it uses at least 95% sustainable materials for all its wood and paper-based products which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or made from recycled materials. Pureprint Group also met these strict standards, which must be met before graduation, and was found to have put printing using sustainably sourced paper at the heart of its business. WWF now hopes graduates from GFTN will inspire other businesses to transform their consumption of forest goods to achieve the same standard. Julia Young, WWF-UK GFTN manager, said: “Both these respected businesses have shown that it is possible to transform their supply chain. The Co-operative has quietly gone about the job of changing their supply chain for forest goods for the better. Pureprint Group is dedicated to understanding the impacts their business and services have on the environment, and to helping customers make the best choices for their printing.” Sean Toal, acting chief executive at The Co-operative Food, said: “As the first retailer to graduate from WWF’s UK Global Forest and Trade Network, we’re leading the way in sourcing wood and paper-based products in a responsible and sustainable way. The environment is important to our customers and members, and our efforts to transform our supply chains are helping to protect the world’s forests and reduce levels of deforestation.” Richard Owers, director at Pureprint Group, added: “Pureprint Group is delighted to be the first printing company in the UK to become eligible for graduate status to the WWF’S GFTN-UK. We have been pleased to both follow and pass on WWF advice on responsible paper purchasing. By adopting these ideas and best environmental practice in our factory we have not only been able to make printed communications very sustainable but also now offer environmental printing as a mainstream business choice.” ENDS For more information on GFTN-UK, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ ">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ </a> For further information, please contact: Robin Clegg, WWF press office, t: 07771 818707 e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,99,108,101,103,103,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">rclegg@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-16" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2909) "Two businesses have graduated from WWF’s Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) in the UK. The Co-operative Food has become the first retailer to qualify while printing company Pureprint Group has also achieved the milestone.Following an independent audit, The Co-operative Food showed that it uses at least 95% sustainable materials for all its wood and paper-based products which have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or made from recycled materials. Pureprint Group also met these strict standards, which must be met before graduation, and was found to have put printing using sustainably sourced paper at the heart of its business. WWF now hopes graduates from GFTN will inspire other businesses to transform their consumption of forest goods to achieve the same standard. Julia Young, WWF-UK GFTN manager, said: “Both these respected businesses have shown that it is possible to transform their supply chain. The Co-operative has quietly gone about the job of changing their supply chain for forest goods for the better. Pureprint Group is dedicated to understanding the impacts their business and services have on the environment, and to helping customers make the best choices for their printing.” Sean Toal, acting chief executive at The Co-operative Food, said: “As the first retailer to graduate from WWF’s UK Global Forest and Trade Network, we’re leading the way in sourcing wood and paper-based products in a responsible and sustainable way. The environment is important to our customers and members, and our efforts to transform our supply chains are helping to protect the world’s forests and reduce levels of deforestation.” Richard Owers, director at Pureprint Group, added: “Pureprint Group is delighted to be the first printing company in the UK to become eligible for graduate status to the WWF’S GFTN-UK. We have been pleased to both follow and pass on WWF advice on responsible paper purchasing. By adopting these ideas and best environmental practice in our factory we have not only been able to make printed communications very sustainable but also now offer environmental printing as a mainstream business choice.” ENDS For more information on GFTN-UK, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ ">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/forests/responsible_forestry_and_trade/forest_trade_network/ </a> For further information, please contact: Robin Clegg, WWF press office, t: 07771 818707 e: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,99,108,101,103,103,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">rclegg@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [15]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(33) "Rhino deaths soar in South Africa" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5592" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(6858) "Newly released government figures have shown that South Africa lost 448 rhinos to poaching in 2011 – more than one a day - and at least eight more have been confirmed dead already this year.The 2011 total includes 19 critically endangered black rhinos, of which fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild. There has been a steady increase in rhino deaths through poaching over the last few years, with 333 South African rhinos killed in 2010, nearly three times the number killed in 2009. “More rhinos were poached in 2011 than has been recorded in any single year before,” said Andrew McVey, Species Programme Manager at WWF-UK. “If left unchecked, poaching gangs could put the survival of these iconic species in jeopardy.” More than half of South Africa’s rhino deaths last year occurred in the world-famous Kruger National Park. The popular safari destination lost 252 rhinos in 2011, and witnessed the poaching of an additional eight rhinos in the first weeks of the new year, according to authorities from South Africa National Parks. The rise in poaching is occurring despite increased law enforcement efforts, South African officials made 232 poaching-related arrests in 2011, compared to 165 the previous year. Sentences imposed for rhino crimes have also increased in recent years, with poachers and horn smugglers receiving as long as 16 years in prison. “Rhino poaching is being conducted by sophisticated international criminal syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF-South Africa. “It’s not enough to bust the little guy - investigators need to shut down the kingpins organizing these criminal operations. Governments in Africa and Asia must work together across borders to stop the illegal trade.” The recent upsurge in rhino poaching has been tied to increased demand for rhino horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it carries prestige as a luxury item, as a post-partying cleanser, and also as a purported cancer cure. “Rhino horn has gained popularity among wealthy Vietnamese elites and business people to give as a gift, when currying political favour, or taking as an antidote to overindulgence,” said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC’s rhino trade expert. “But killing endangered rhinos to mitigate a hangover is a criminal way to see in the New Year.” According to Traditional Chinese Medicine experts, rhino horn has no proven cancer treating properties. Contrary to popular myth, it has never been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has found that consumer demand in Vietnam is driving much of the rhino poaching. CITES has also ruled that Vietnam needs to show progress in curtailing illegal trade in rhino parts and derivatives. “So far we have yet to see Vietnam respond to this ruling from CITES,” says Colman O Criodain, Wildlife Trade Policy Expert at WWF International . “For that matter, CITES must put pressure on Vietnam to respond meaningfully, as it has done with other countries whose compliance with the Convention has been called into question.” Because it is home to most of the world’s rhinos, South Africa has been the epicentre of poaching. However, rhinos in other African and Asian range countries are also being targeted by poachers. In October, WWF announced the extinction of rhinos in Vietnam. The last Javan rhinoceros in the country was killed by poachers and its horn removed. In Nepal, however, strong conservation and law enforcement efforts ensured that no rhinos were lost to poaching in 2011. In both Africa and Asia, WWF and TRAFFIC are providing assistance to field rangers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and customs authorities. Additionally, TRAFFIC has facilitated visits between South African and Vietnamese government officials to discuss deepening cooperation on law enforcement. A bilateral treaty to ramp up law enforcement collaboration between South Africa and Vietnam was negotiated in September 2011 but still remains unsigned. HIGH RES IMAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST ENDS Rhino population statistics African species Black Rhino: 4,838 IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered White Rhino: Approx 20,000, up from fewer than 100 in 1900. IUCN Red List Classification: Near threatened South Africa rhino population: 1,916 Black, 18,780 White Asian species Greater-one horned: 2,913. IUCN Red List Classification: Vulnerable Javan: No more than 50. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered Sumatran: Fewer than 200. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered South Africa poaching numbers Source: SANParks 2009: 122 rhinos 2010: 333 rhinos 2011: 448 rhinos, 19 critically endangered black. Arrests in 2010: 165 Arrests in 2011: 232 For additional information or to request an expert interview, please contact: WWF: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(74,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?subject=PR%20-%20Rhino%20deaths%20soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">Jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a>, direct: 01483 412 375, mobile: 07867 697 519 TRAFFIC: Richard Thomas, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,105,99,104,97,114,100,46,116,104,111,109,97,115,64,116,114,97,102,102,105,99,46,111,114,103)+'?subject=PS%20-%20Rhino%20Deaths%20Soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">richard.thomas@traffic.org</a>, direct 01223 279 068, mobile 0752 6646 216 About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. Find out more about our work, past and present at <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk</a> About TRAFFIC TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of IUCN and WWF. " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-12" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(6858) "Newly released government figures have shown that South Africa lost 448 rhinos to poaching in 2011 – more than one a day - and at least eight more have been confirmed dead already this year.The 2011 total includes 19 critically endangered black rhinos, of which fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild. There has been a steady increase in rhino deaths through poaching over the last few years, with 333 South African rhinos killed in 2010, nearly three times the number killed in 2009. “More rhinos were poached in 2011 than has been recorded in any single year before,” said Andrew McVey, Species Programme Manager at WWF-UK. “If left unchecked, poaching gangs could put the survival of these iconic species in jeopardy.” More than half of South Africa’s rhino deaths last year occurred in the world-famous Kruger National Park. The popular safari destination lost 252 rhinos in 2011, and witnessed the poaching of an additional eight rhinos in the first weeks of the new year, according to authorities from South Africa National Parks. The rise in poaching is occurring despite increased law enforcement efforts, South African officials made 232 poaching-related arrests in 2011, compared to 165 the previous year. Sentences imposed for rhino crimes have also increased in recent years, with poachers and horn smugglers receiving as long as 16 years in prison. “Rhino poaching is being conducted by sophisticated international criminal syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF-South Africa. “It’s not enough to bust the little guy - investigators need to shut down the kingpins organizing these criminal operations. Governments in Africa and Asia must work together across borders to stop the illegal trade.” The recent upsurge in rhino poaching has been tied to increased demand for rhino horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it carries prestige as a luxury item, as a post-partying cleanser, and also as a purported cancer cure. “Rhino horn has gained popularity among wealthy Vietnamese elites and business people to give as a gift, when currying political favour, or taking as an antidote to overindulgence,” said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC’s rhino trade expert. “But killing endangered rhinos to mitigate a hangover is a criminal way to see in the New Year.” According to Traditional Chinese Medicine experts, rhino horn has no proven cancer treating properties. Contrary to popular myth, it has never been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has found that consumer demand in Vietnam is driving much of the rhino poaching. CITES has also ruled that Vietnam needs to show progress in curtailing illegal trade in rhino parts and derivatives. “So far we have yet to see Vietnam respond to this ruling from CITES,” says Colman O Criodain, Wildlife Trade Policy Expert at WWF International . “For that matter, CITES must put pressure on Vietnam to respond meaningfully, as it has done with other countries whose compliance with the Convention has been called into question.” Because it is home to most of the world’s rhinos, South Africa has been the epicentre of poaching. However, rhinos in other African and Asian range countries are also being targeted by poachers. In October, WWF announced the extinction of rhinos in Vietnam. The last Javan rhinoceros in the country was killed by poachers and its horn removed. In Nepal, however, strong conservation and law enforcement efforts ensured that no rhinos were lost to poaching in 2011. In both Africa and Asia, WWF and TRAFFIC are providing assistance to field rangers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and customs authorities. Additionally, TRAFFIC has facilitated visits between South African and Vietnamese government officials to discuss deepening cooperation on law enforcement. A bilateral treaty to ramp up law enforcement collaboration between South Africa and Vietnam was negotiated in September 2011 but still remains unsigned. HIGH RES IMAGES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST ENDS Rhino population statistics African species Black Rhino: 4,838 IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered White Rhino: Approx 20,000, up from fewer than 100 in 1900. IUCN Red List Classification: Near threatened South Africa rhino population: 1,916 Black, 18,780 White Asian species Greater-one horned: 2,913. IUCN Red List Classification: Vulnerable Javan: No more than 50. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered Sumatran: Fewer than 200. IUCN Red List Classification: Critically endangered South Africa poaching numbers Source: SANParks 2009: 122 rhinos 2010: 333 rhinos 2011: 448 rhinos, 19 critically endangered black. Arrests in 2010: 165 Arrests in 2011: 232 For additional information or to request an expert interview, please contact: WWF: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(74,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?subject=PR%20-%20Rhino%20deaths%20soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">Jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a>, direct: 01483 412 375, mobile: 07867 697 519 TRAFFIC: Richard Thomas, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,105,99,104,97,114,100,46,116,104,111,109,97,115,64,116,114,97,102,102,105,99,46,111,114,103)+'?subject=PS%20-%20Rhino%20Deaths%20Soar%20in%20South%20Africa')">richard.thomas@traffic.org</a>, direct 01223 279 068, mobile 0752 6646 216 About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than one hundred countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. Find out more about our work, past and present at <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk</a> About TRAFFIC TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of IUCN and WWF. " } [16]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(93) "WWF & AEF: Civil Aviation Authority report on airport capacity ‘a contradiction in terms’" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5586" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(3327) "WWF and the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) today rejected the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) report claiming that new runways are needed in the Southeast in order to meet consumer demand. The CAA's report ignores the advice of the Government’s climate advisers and is also in direct contradiction to Government policy to make the most of the airport capacity we already have.According to WWF and AEF's assessment of available UK airport capacity (1), there is already sufficient capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet future demand, in line with the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommended limits to aviation growth to ensure the sector plays a role in limiting its carbon emissions. The analysis shows that a small shortfall is expected in the Southeast which is not sufficient to require a new runway, so long as the trend towards larger aircraft continues. Using BAA forecasts at the Terminal 5 inquiry, which show average passenger numbers per aircraft increasing from 143 to 198 over time, and assuming that other Southeast airports would also reflect the trend towards higher passenger loading, albeit at a lesser extent (2), WWF and AEF concluded that the shortfall in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) in the Southeast by 2050 would be tiny - less than 1 percent. Jean Leston, senior transport policy advisor at WWF-UK, said: “This report is just the latest in aviation industry 'groupthink' that new runways will magically lift us out of recession. It’s time they got back down to earth and thought about the climate impacts of what they’re saying. Every time we build more high carbon infrastructure, such as airports and runways, we’re pushing the world towards dangerous climate change. And we can forget any chance of hitting UK climate targets." Tim Johnson, director of AEF, added: "I am alarmed that the CAA, who have no official status as aviation policy advisors, are now trying to tell the Government what to do. Their calls for more capacity are the latest in industry lobbying that would see us return to the bad old days of unconstrained aviation growth at a time that people are flying less and there is spare capacity that could be better used, in the Southeast and elsewhere.” ENDS Notes to the editor: 1. The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that, in most regions, there is available runway and terminal capacity to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> 2. Excluding Heathrow, a 15% growth in passenger loading is assumed for Southeast airports over the next 40 years, from 107 to 123 passengers per aircraft. For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2012-01-10" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(3327) "WWF and the Aviation Environment Federation (AEF) today rejected the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) report claiming that new runways are needed in the Southeast in order to meet consumer demand. The CAA's report ignores the advice of the Government’s climate advisers and is also in direct contradiction to Government policy to make the most of the airport capacity we already have.According to WWF and AEF's assessment of available UK airport capacity (1), there is already sufficient capacity in the Southeast and other regions to meet future demand, in line with the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommended limits to aviation growth to ensure the sector plays a role in limiting its carbon emissions. The analysis shows that a small shortfall is expected in the Southeast which is not sufficient to require a new runway, so long as the trend towards larger aircraft continues. Using BAA forecasts at the Terminal 5 inquiry, which show average passenger numbers per aircraft increasing from 143 to 198 over time, and assuming that other Southeast airports would also reflect the trend towards higher passenger loading, albeit at a lesser extent (2), WWF and AEF concluded that the shortfall in Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) in the Southeast by 2050 would be tiny - less than 1 percent. Jean Leston, senior transport policy advisor at WWF-UK, said: “This report is just the latest in aviation industry 'groupthink' that new runways will magically lift us out of recession. It’s time they got back down to earth and thought about the climate impacts of what they’re saying. Every time we build more high carbon infrastructure, such as airports and runways, we’re pushing the world towards dangerous climate change. And we can forget any chance of hitting UK climate targets." Tim Johnson, director of AEF, added: "I am alarmed that the CAA, who have no official status as aviation policy advisors, are now trying to tell the Government what to do. Their calls for more capacity are the latest in industry lobbying that would see us return to the bad old days of unconstrained aviation growth at a time that people are flying less and there is spare capacity that could be better used, in the Southeast and elsewhere.” ENDS Notes to the editor: 1. The WWF/AEF report, Available UK airport capacity under a 2050 CO2 target for the aviation sector, shows that, in most regions, there is available runway and terminal capacity to meet demand to 2050, and in line with CCC limits to aviation growth, without the need for further expansion: <a href="http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf">http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/airport_capacity_report_july_2011.pdf </a> 2. Excluding Heathrow, a 15% growth in passenger loading is assumed for Southeast airports over the next 40 years, from 107 to 123 passengers per aircraft. For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [17]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(80) "WWF-UK response to Defra announcement of funding for endangered species projects" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5582" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2812) "Defra have today announced investments totalling £1.3 million for a range of projects dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most endangered and best-loved species. In response, Heather Sohl, senior species policy officer at WWF-UK commented:“So many of the planet's most treasured and revered species are under threat due to human activities; poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction are having a devastating impact. WWF-UK is therefore thrilled that Defra is investing in a number of projects that will tackle these threats. It’s vital that governments recognise and support the conservation of these species and their habitats, which are so closely linked to the wellbeing and survival of people around the world.” Tigers - There are currently as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Tigers are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. During the last century more than 95% of the world's wild tiger population vanished. Three subspecies of tiger are already extinct: the Bali tiger became extinct in the 1940s, the Caspian tiger in the early 1970s and the Javan in the mid 1970s. Rhino - There are around 25,000 African rhinos in the wild. The black rhino is classified as critically endangered and the white rhino as near threatened on the IUCN RedList. There are four subspecies of black rhino; one, the western black rhino, was declared extinct in 2011. Rhino poaching is on the increase - in 2010, South Africa along lost 333 rhinos, with the worst hit area being Kruger National Park which lost nearly 150 rhinos. The number of rhino poached in South Africa this year was even higher with more than 400 rhino killed. In Asia, the second to last population of Javan rhinos became extinct in 2010, from Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park. Now fewer than 50 Javan rhinos remain in the wild, all on the island of Java, Indonesia. Elephants - There are an estimated 600,000 African elephants in the wild. African elephants are a threatened species - they are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Forest elephants are plummeting and heading towards local extinction in Central Africa due to rampant poaching for the ivory trade, which is mostly destined for Asian markets.” Contact Johannah Sargent on 07867 697 519, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a> for further details ENDS • For more information on WWF's work to protect species and habitats, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2011-12-30" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2812) "Defra have today announced investments totalling £1.3 million for a range of projects dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most endangered and best-loved species. In response, Heather Sohl, senior species policy officer at WWF-UK commented:“So many of the planet's most treasured and revered species are under threat due to human activities; poaching, illegal wildlife trade and habitat destruction are having a devastating impact. WWF-UK is therefore thrilled that Defra is investing in a number of projects that will tackle these threats. It’s vital that governments recognise and support the conservation of these species and their habitats, which are so closely linked to the wellbeing and survival of people around the world.” Tigers - There are currently as few as 3,200 tigers left in the wild. Tigers are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. During the last century more than 95% of the world's wild tiger population vanished. Three subspecies of tiger are already extinct: the Bali tiger became extinct in the 1940s, the Caspian tiger in the early 1970s and the Javan in the mid 1970s. Rhino - There are around 25,000 African rhinos in the wild. The black rhino is classified as critically endangered and the white rhino as near threatened on the IUCN RedList. There are four subspecies of black rhino; one, the western black rhino, was declared extinct in 2011. Rhino poaching is on the increase - in 2010, South Africa along lost 333 rhinos, with the worst hit area being Kruger National Park which lost nearly 150 rhinos. The number of rhino poached in South Africa this year was even higher with more than 400 rhino killed. In Asia, the second to last population of Javan rhinos became extinct in 2010, from Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park. Now fewer than 50 Javan rhinos remain in the wild, all on the island of Java, Indonesia. Elephants - There are an estimated 600,000 African elephants in the wild. African elephants are a threatened species - they are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Forest elephants are plummeting and heading towards local extinction in Central Africa due to rampant poaching for the ivory trade, which is mostly destined for Asian markets.” Contact Johannah Sargent on 07867 697 519, <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(106,115,97,114,103,101,110,116,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">jsargent@wwf.org.uk</a> for further details ENDS • For more information on WWF's work to protect species and habitats, please visit: <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/">http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_natural_world/</a> " } [18]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(64) "MP’s planning recommendations ‘pragmatic and constructive’" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5557" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(2800) "WWF said today (21 December) that the Communities and Local Government Committee’s recommendations for improving the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) were ‘pragmatic and constructive’.Emmalene Gottwald, senior planning advisor at WWF-UK, said: “It’s a welcome relief to see that the Committee has taken such a pragmatic and constructive approach to its report on the inquiry into the draft NPPF. They haven’t shied away from really investigating the tough issues and providing strong recommendations to Government on how to amend and improve the NPPF so that it provides a clear, balanced framework. “They’re absolutely right about the need to better define what ‘sustainable development’ is and to highlight that the planning system must address the environmental and social aspects of development as well as the economic ones. We are pleased that the Committee has recognised the role the planning system has to play in achieving long term economic prosperity for Britain, where all aspects of sustainable development are treated equally and not traded off against each other. “We welcome the recommendation to remove the ‘default yes’ for development, as it did run the risk of unchecked, poorly planned development that would harm the natural environment and local communities for many generations to come. Hopefully we can all now resolve in the New Year to agree a planning framework that suits everyone.” WWF today called on the Government to properly take on board the Committee recommendations, particularly to follow through with improving the definition of sustainable development, and removing the imbalance between economic growth and social and environmental wellbeing. WWF also called for an urgent announcement on the transitional arrangements to be made before the revised NPPF is released. It would welcome a second consultation on the revised NPPF, to sense check and ensure agreement and buy-in, which is likely to reduce opposition and the possibility for legal challenge. ENDS Notes to editors 1. WWF-UK’s written evidence on the National Planning Policy Framework inquiry can be found here: <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2011-12-21" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(2800) "WWF said today (21 December) that the Communities and Local Government Committee’s recommendations for improving the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) were ‘pragmatic and constructive’.Emmalene Gottwald, senior planning advisor at WWF-UK, said: “It’s a welcome relief to see that the Committee has taken such a pragmatic and constructive approach to its report on the inquiry into the draft NPPF. They haven’t shied away from really investigating the tough issues and providing strong recommendations to Government on how to amend and improve the NPPF so that it provides a clear, balanced framework. “They’re absolutely right about the need to better define what ‘sustainable development’ is and to highlight that the planning system must address the environmental and social aspects of development as well as the economic ones. We are pleased that the Committee has recognised the role the planning system has to play in achieving long term economic prosperity for Britain, where all aspects of sustainable development are treated equally and not traded off against each other. “We welcome the recommendation to remove the ‘default yes’ for development, as it did run the risk of unchecked, poorly planned development that would harm the natural environment and local communities for many generations to come. Hopefully we can all now resolve in the New Year to agree a planning framework that suits everyone.” WWF today called on the Government to properly take on board the Committee recommendations, particularly to follow through with improving the definition of sustainable development, and removing the imbalance between economic growth and social and environmental wellbeing. WWF also called for an urgent announcement on the transitional arrangements to be made before the revised NPPF is released. It would welcome a second consultation on the revised NPPF, to sense check and ensure agreement and buy-in, which is likely to reduce opposition and the possibility for legal challenge. ENDS Notes to editors 1. WWF-UK’s written evidence on the National Planning Policy Framework inquiry can be found here: <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmcomloc/writev/nppf/m71.htm</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(71,83,109,101,101,116,111,110,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " } [19]=> array(9) { ["title#"]=> int(1) ["title"]=> string(44) "Lord Turner to step down as Chair of the CCC" ["link#"]=> int(1) ["link"]=> string(59) "http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/press_centre/?uNewsID=5578" ["description#"]=> int(1) ["description"]=> string(1119) "Lord Turner today announced that he is standing down as Chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) from spring 2012 in order to focus on his role as Chair of the Financial Services Authority (FSA).Commenting, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Lord Turner was an inspired choice to be the Committee on Climate Change's first chair, and he will be a hard act to follow. 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ENDS Committee on Climate Change press release: <a href="http://www.theccc.org.uk/news">http://www.theccc.org.uk/news</a> For further information, please contact: George Smeeton, Tel: 01483 412 388, Mob: 07917 052 948, email: <a href="http://GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk">GSmeeton@wwf.org.uk</a> " ["dc"]=> array(2) { ["date#"]=> int(1) ["date"]=> string(10) "2011-12-21" } ["summary#"]=> int(1) ["summary"]=> string(1119) "Lord Turner today announced that he is standing down as Chair of the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) from spring 2012 in order to focus on his role as Chair of the Financial Services Authority (FSA).Commenting, Keith Allott, head of climate change at WWF-UK, said: "Lord Turner was an inspired choice to be the Committee on Climate Change's first chair, and he will be a hard act to follow. It will be important to find an equally impressive successor to make the case for strong, credible implementation of the Climate Change Act. 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With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. From international stage to village square, the organisation aims to resonate and connect with audiences to encourage a sense of place, a feeling of pride, a shared experience. <a href="http://www.walktheplank.co.uk">www.walktheplank.co.uk</a> " ["post_excerpt"]=> string(6836) "WWF launches campaign to help protect critically endangered whales WWF floated an 11 metre whale down the River Thames in London today, to highlight the plight faced by one of the world’s most endangered whales. With as few as 130 whales, including only 26 breeding females thought to remain, the western gray whale is teetering on the edge of extinction and their critical feeding ground off the coast of Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is now under threat. Two drilling platforms already exist next to the key feeding ground as part of the Sakhalin II oil and gas project, and Sakhalin Energy Investment Company is currently making plans to build a third oil rig in the area. The third platform was not part of the original environmental impact assessment, and if plans go ahead, this already vulnerable population of whales could be pushed closer to extinction. WWF is calling on the European project lenders – BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse and Standard Chartered – to oppose Sakhalin Energy’s plans for another platform and request that the project is limited to the two existing platforms as originally agreed. Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF, said: “The western gray whale is on the verge of extinction, and the additional platform, which was never part of the original proposal, sets a dangerous precedent for all future oil and gas projects in the region. WWF is calling on the banks to take action and oppose the plans - before it's too late for these critically endangered whales." The Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel, a group of 11 independent scientists focused on considering how to reduce the impacts of oil and gas operations on the whales, is meeting with lenders and Sakhalin Energy on 12-14th February. The public can visit the whale on London’s Southbank this week, and will have the chance to learn more about the campaign by picking up a copy of ‘The Daily Whale’, a WWF newspaper being handed out at tube stations. WWF is also inviting the public to help encourage the banks to say no to a third platform, by signing our petition online at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Western gray whales feed in the waters off Sakhalin Island during the summer and autumn months. Gray whales are the only large whales that feed from the sea bottom, churning up the sea bed and filtering the disturbed invertebrates through their baleen plates. The shallow waters close to the island are the only waters that are suitable for mothers to teach their calves how to feed in this way. If Sakhalin Energy’s expansion plans are successful, there will be increased risk in these critical feeding grounds from noise pollution (especially that caused by seismic surveys), increased likelihood of oil spills, lethal whale and ship collisions, and chemical pollution. Other materials available supporting the campaign include: • British DJ and artist Mr Scruff has created an animation in support of WWF’s western gray whale campaign • Images and footage of the whale are available upon request Register your support at <a href="http://www.thelast130.org">www.thelast130.org</a> Join the conversation on Twitter #thelast130 - ends - For further information, please contact: Emily Taylor, tel: 0203 0060156 / 07793533774, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(101,109,105,108,121,46,116,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">emily.t@kaper.uk.com</a> Gemma Dudley, tel: 020 7096 6688 / 07817637750, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(103,101,109,109,97,64,107,97,112,101,114,46,117,107,46,99,111,109)+'?')">gemma@kaper.uk.com</a> Kellie Rollings, tel: 01483 412340, email: <a href="javascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(107,114,111,108,108,105,110,103,115,64,119,119,102,46,111,114,103,46,117,107)+'?')">krollings@wwf.org.uk</a> Editor's notes The western gray whale • The western North Pacific gray whale (or western gray whale) is categorised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as critically endangered. • There is another population, the eastern gray whale, but this is not endangered and has a population of about 20,000 individuals. Although they look very similar, current scientific evidence suggests that the two populations are genetically distinct and have different migration routes. • The adult whales are about 12-15 metres long and feed on amphipods and isopods (little crustaceans). About Sakhalin Energy One of the world's largest offshore oil and gas projects, Sakhalin II, based off Sakhalin Island in the Russian Far East, is operated by Sakhalin Energy Investment Company (SEIC). This company is made up of four oil companies: Gazprom (50% plus 1 share), Shell (27.5%), Mitsui (12.5%) and Mitsubishi (10%). About the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel At the request of the lenders, in 2006, IUCN created a panel of 11 independent scientists – the Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (WGWAP) – which provides scientific advice and recommendations on Sakhalin Energy’s operational plans and mitigation measures in order to minimise the risks for the western gray whales and their habitat. See <a href="http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ ">http://www.iucn.org/wgwap/wgwap/ </a> About WWF WWF is one of the world's largest independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. We're working to create solutions to the most serious environmental issues facing our planet, so that people and nature can thrive. Through our engagement with the public, businesses and government, we focus on safeguarding the natural world, tacking climate change and changing the way we live. <a href="http://www.wwf.org.uk">www.wwf.org.uk </a> About Walk the Plank (the WWF whale prop was created by Walk the Plank) Walk the Plank is a creative force of artists, theatre makers, pyrotechnicians and event engineers who craft and deliver beautiful shows, fantastic firework displays and amazing events. 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