World Wide Fund for Nature

Description

WWF, formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund and also called the World Wide Fund for Nature, is an international conservation organization.

It was founded in 1961 and its international secretariat is based in Switzerland, with hubs also in Singapore, Nairobi and Woking. It operates through national and regional offices in more than 80 countries, most of which run their own independent programs.

Its mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature. It pursues six global goals covering oceans and fisheries, endangered species, forests, freshwater, climate and energy, and sustainable food systems. It works by conserving biodiversity, promoting sustainable use of natural resources and campaigning to reduce pollution and wasteful consumption.

It carries out this work through science-based conservation projects, partnerships with governments, businesses and local communities, and public campaigns such as Earth Hour. It also publishes reports such as the Living Planet Report to track the impact of human activity on nature. It is governed by a board of trustees under an international president, with day-to-day leadership from a director general.