WWF-Australia’s Response Framework

WWF-Australia has implemented a two-wave response to the 2019/20 bushfires. Wave 1 focuses on immediate wildlife response, including a $30 million budget for rescue operations, species assessments, and reporting animal fatalities. Wave 2 focuses on future-proofing through habitat protection, legal reviews of nature laws, and transitioning Australia toward renewable energy. The framework emphasizes the link between climate change and fire intensity, advocating for a 'New Deal for people and wildlife' and increased indigenous ranger capacity.

• The 2019/20 bushfires caused unprecedented loss, including more than 1.25 billion native animals and over 12 million hectares of landscape.
• WWF-Australia's 'Wave 1' wildlife response is supported by a $30 million budget aimed at funding reputable care organisations, conducting rapid threatened species assessments, and establishing a nationwide report on animal fatalities.
• The 'Wave 2' framework focuses on long-term restoration and protection, including the 'Towards Two Billion Trees' plan, enhancing the number of indigenous rangers, and advocating for Australia to become a world-leading exporter of renewable energy by 2030.
• An economic assessment of 'Burnt Assets' estimates that the bushfires released between 400 and 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is comparable to Australia's total emissions of 530 million tonnes for the year ending June 2019.
• Replacing the natural carbon stocks lost to the fires is estimated to cost between A$300 million and A$2.8 billion, depending on the regrowth scenario and carbon offset prices.
• Of the approximately A$3.2 billion in combined Federal, State, and private funding for bushfire recovery, only about 3% (A$100 million) has been allocated to wildlife and habitat protection and restoration.

APA

WWF International (2020). WWF-Australia’s Response Framework. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/900/fh4v1f5q5_WWF_Australia_Bushfire_Response_Update_March_2020_FINAL.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. WWF-Australia’s Response Framework. 2020. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/900/fh4v1f5q5_WWF_Australia_Bushfire_Response_Update_March_2020_FINAL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=WWF-Australia’s Response Framework |date=March 2020 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/900/fh4v1f5q5_WWF_Australia_Bushfire_Response_Update_March_2020_FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2020wwfaustralias, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{WWF-Australia’s Response Framework}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2020}, month = mar, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/900/fh4v1f5q5_WWF_Australia_Bushfire_Response_Update_March_2020_FINAL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }