How we work
WWF works to conserve Australia's plants and animals by ending land clearing and degradation, addressing climate change, and preserving and protecting fresh water, marine and land environments.
WWF-Australia's Woodland Watch Project Officer, Mick Davis, with Wheatbelt farmer David Graham
© WWF-Australia/Darren JEW
Our work spans the full spectrum of conservation activities - from on-ground field projects through to long-term, large-scale programs and policy formulation through to public campaigns.
As part of the WWF International Network, our activities are guided by the following principles.
We will:
- be global, independent, multicultural and non-party political
- use the best available scientific information to address issues and critically evaluate all our endeavours
- seek dialog and avoid unnecessary confrontation
- build concrete conservation solutions through a combination of field-based projects, policy initiatives, capacity-building and education work
- involve local communities and indigenous peoples in the planning and execution of our field programs, respecting their cultural as well as economic needs
- strive to build partnerships with other organisations, governments, business and local communities to enhance WWF's effectiveness, and
- run our operations in a cost effective manner and apply donors' funds according to the highest standards of accountability.
Science and policy
Since our beginnings in 1978, WWF-Australia has sought to maintain the role of science and scientific analysis of environmental issues as the basis for our work.
We have a Scientific Advisory Committee, comprising senior scientists from academic institutions and government agencies, to assist in this process.
The specific use of science in the formulation of our policies, on-ground projects and campaigns is a major component of our conservation science and policy focus.
The building of a strong foundation for all our conservation work also requires dedicated social and economic analysis.
Our science and policy people concentrate their time and efforts on some of the fundamental issues underlying the protection of nature and wise use of natural resources - such as environmental legislation, international conventions, resource economics, and business and industry practice.
In the field
Vitally important areas of land and water throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and the animals and plants dependent upon them, benefit greatly from the collaborative conservation efforts of many.
Our fieldwork is best described through a look at the people we work with and our own people in the field.
We form partnerships with individuals, communities, indigenous groups, landholders, farmers, industry and many levels of government to get the job done.
Our staff work hard to understand the social and economic needs of local communities, and the activities required to benefit the health of their environment.
We help communities secure funding for on-ground conservation activities; local, state or federal government policy support; and, in-kind and/or ongoing commitment from local businesses and community leaders.
The work we do through our strong partnerships is all about making things happen on a local scale, to better understand and influence national and international conservation issues.
The lessons learned from our field staff also help us develop our policy and science programs - ensuring that the 'big picture' benefits from the insight of local concerns and experience.
Campaigns
WWF-Australia employs a working group dedicated to identifying political 'log jams' on major national conservation issues.
We look for new ways to better manage our natural resources, encourage governments to improve policy and legislation as our natural environment requires, and promote public awareness of the steps we all need to take for a healthier environment.
The campaigns working group includes scientists, economists, policy experts and lawyers, and works closely with our science and policy teams and our people in the field.
Our key aim is to develop science-based, economically viable solutions to major environmental problems. We do this by working with Australia's leading scientists, economists, policy specialists and industry leaders.
Economic analysis
Economics provides useful tools to help understand the reasons behind environmental problems, including biodiversity loss. These tools also help us develop practical solutions.
Economic arguments are a crucial part of political decision-making by governments and investment decisions by both the private and public sector. Given these decisions may have a negative or positive effect on the environment, understanding the intricacies of economic issues is vital.
What WWF-Australia is doing
We develop many of our conservation activities using sound economic analysis. Economics is employed across the entire spectrum of our work - including our campaigns on land clearing in Queensland and NSW, our field work in the Kimberley, and our policy support for Australia's natural resources.
We also undertake economic analysis to highlight potential issues, and to counteract analysis by others that may support damaging activities - such as the recent Meander Dam proposal in Tasmania.
Snapshot of activities
Our economists take the lead on analysing policies and promoting economic arguments for conservation. Some of the issues the team have addressed include water pricing, water trading, water infrastructure (dams and weirs), water property rights and vegetation clearance. A continuing focus for the team is on agriculture and land management issues.
We integrate economic analysis into our main conservation activities. WWF's economists are contributing to conservation activities throughout Australia, with a particular focus on incentives for conservation on private land, improved forestry practices, 'sustainable' irrigation practices and sustainable development options in catchment areas.
On a broader scale, the WWF network has gathered a team of economists called the Sustainable Economics Network (SEN), in which WWF-Australia plays an important part. The team's focus includes sustainable development, commerce, trade and investment policy, and poverty alleviation and its impact on the environment.
The team also undertakes economic analysis and assessment on a whole range of issues, including climate change, fisheries, forests, water use, and pollution.
