| WWF UK and its relationship with China |
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| Features | |
| Thursday, 09 December 2010 | |
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World Wildlife Fund is a world leading environmental organisation that addresses global threats to people and nature. May Zhao interviews Dr David Tickner to find more about WWF UK and its involvement with China. Q: Briefly introduce yourself and your organisation？
A: My name is Dave Tickner and I'm Head of Freshwater Programmes at WWF-UK. WWF is one the world's largest conservation organisations with about 50 offices and projects in about 100 countries. We were formed in 1961 so we have nearly 50 years of experience in trying to address issues around biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources and problems from pollution and wasteful consumption.
Q: What has the involvement of yourself and your organisation with China been？
A: WWF has been active in China since 1980 when it became the first international conservation organisation to be invited to work in the country. Initially, the focus was on giant panda conservation.
Q: How has that involvement grown?
A: For the first fifteen years, WWF staff based outside of the country came to China for project implementation and monitoring. In 1996, WWF opened its Beijing office with nine staff working on four programs: Giant Panda Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Forests, and Environmental Education. Establishment of the office in Beijing allowed WWF to build closer ties with our partners in the State Forestry Administration, and to develop new partnerships at the national and local level.
Today, WWF CPO (China Program Office) has about 80 staff working on over 40 projects, from restoring the Yangtze river wetlands to climate change and, of course, panda conservation. WWF CPO's principal aim is to offer solutions that will simultaneously reduce China's global impact and improve livelihoods here. We work with many international partners too, including HSBC and The Coca-Cola Company.
Q: How have you been involved yourself?
A: Personally, I've been to China twice in recent years, both times to support Chinese colleagues who are undertaking some fantastic work to promote sustainable management of the Yangtze River. Although the challenges are still substantial I've been really impressed by the work that WWF CPO has been able to carry out in conjunction with its partners across the country. More generally, it's been wonderful for me to visit China. The country seems full of energy and the people there have all been welcoming, hard working and clearly very capable indeed.
Q: London has said it will host a green games, are you involved in this and in what way？
A: WWF’s analysis shows that the Olympic movement can use the power of the Olympic brand to drive positive sustainability outcomes and benefits to the environment. These benefits can be derived from the careful development of sports facilities, Olympic Park and city legacy; the corporate engagement of Olympic sponsors in promoting action and change with customers, staff and supply chains; and communications opportunities for mass audience participation and engagement in green issues, through the connection with sport.
In 2004, WWF-UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding with London 2012 to develop the ‘One Planet Olympics’ concept based on WWF and BioRegional's One Planet Living principles. The concept became the sustainability framework for London’s bid to host the Games. Later in 2004 Robert Napier, WWF UK's Chief Executive at the time, supported London’s bid to the IOC Evaluation Committee. Since London became Host City in 2005, WWF has enjoyed a close relationship and privileged access to challenge, support and develop London 2012 plans.
Currently WWF is working with London 2012 and Olympic partners to develop programmes and projects to engage Olympic sponsors and audiences in taking action for the environment through the inspiration of the Games.
May Zhao
More information about WWF UK: http://www.wwf.org.uk
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