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African forest elephants act as 'climate heroes' by increasing the carbon capture capacity of their habitats through vegetation management, seed dispersal, and soil carbon cycling. However, the species is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss, having lost over 86% of its population over 31 years.

The document describes how small marine organisms, such as krill, salps, and echinoderms, act as 'climate heroes' by facilitating the ocean's carbon sink and supporting biodiversity. It details the biological carbon pump mechanisms used by krill and salps to move carbon to the deep ocean, the role of echinoderms in seabed carbon storage, and the importance of marine invertebrates in the reproduction of carbon-storing seagrasses and seaweed.

Sharks and rays support the planet by protecting carbon-sequestering seagrass, creating micro-habitats through sand excavation, and transporting nutrients to support oxygen-producing phytoplankton. They also drive significant ecotourism revenue in countries like Australia and the Maldives and provide food for deep-sea scavengers after death. However, overfishing and bycatch result in up to 100 million deaths annually, leaving 30% of the 1,200+ species threatened with extinction.

Seaweed offers multiple climate benefits, including storing more new carbon annually than mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes combined. It serves as a low-carbon food source that requires no land, freshwater, pesticides, or fertilizers, and can be used to create plastic alternatives. In regions like Maine, seaweed farming provides income diversification for fishers facing warming oceans and acts as a natural buffer against storm-driven coastal erosion. Additionally, seaweed helps reduce local ocean acidification and can lower carbon emissions when integrated into the diets of livestock such as pigs, fish, shrimp, and chickens.

The document dispels five myths about bees, emphasizing that while honey bees are well-known, they are a non-native domesticated species in North America and are not the only, nor necessarily the most efficient, pollinators. It highlights that over 20,000 bee species exist globally, with many native species in North America declining due to climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides. The text explains that bees are critical for ecosystem stability, as their extinction would lead to plant loss, soil erosion, and increased atmospheric carbon. It also details specific biological traits, such as 'buzz-pollination' used by bumble bees and the existence of stingless honey bees in regions like Australia and Mexico.

Oysters provide multiple ecological services that combat climate change, including sequestering carbon in their shells and protecting coastal carbon sinks like mangroves and seagrasses by acting as natural breakwaters. They improve ocean health by filtering up to 50 gallons of water daily, which enhances the ocean's overall capacity to absorb CO2. Additionally, oyster reefs support biodiversity by creating marine habitats and offer a low-impact, nutritious protein source that does not require external feed or pollute the environment.

Cephalopods, including octopus, squid, and cuttlefish, act as critical links in marine food webs and contribute to the ocean's biological carbon pump, particularly through the sinking of carcasses. Due to their high responsiveness to environmental changes, they serve as biological indicators of climate change, as evidenced by shifting populations in the Barents Sea. As finfish stocks decline, cephalopods have increased in commercial importance for global food security.

From March 18-22, 2024, 257 students at Blue Hill Consolidated School in Maine participated in Seaweed Week, an educational initiative utilizing curricula from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center and WWF. The program combined literature, hands-on activities, and expert interaction to highlight kelp as a sustainable crop that supports marine ecosystems and provides economic opportunities for local lobstermen.

The document explains the symbiotic relationship between wildlife conservation and climate action, detailing how various species act as carbon sinks or maintain habitats that capture carbon. It highlights the roles of tigers, elephants, and tapirs on land, and sea otters, whales, and oysters in the ocean, asserting that protecting biodiversity is a critical strategy for meeting climate goals.

The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest and river system, containing one in 10 known species on Earth and storing between 90 billion and 140 billion metric tons of carbon. It is currently threatened by deforestation driven by cattle ranching, soy farming, and infrastructure, as well as climate change, which has caused rainfall to decline across 69% of the forest since 2000. WWF is implementing conservation strategies such as the Amazon Region Protected Areas program in Brazil to maintain a network of 120 protected areas.

The 'Promoting Dryland Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia' project, led by FAO and WWF, targets nine soums in the Dornod, Khentii, and Sukhbaatar provinces. It aims to restore 0.25 million hectares of land and improve the management of 1.19 million hectares of protected areas. The project focuses on climate-smart agriculture, sustainable rangeland and forest management, and the development of sustainable value chains for livestock products like cashmere and meat. Key biodiversity targets include the conservation of the Mongolian gazelle and White-naped Crane. The project is funded by the GEF with a total budget of $56,299,586, including $50,945,000 in co-financing.

Wild kelp forests provide critical ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, coastal protection, and support for global food security and biodiversity.

The Pantanal is the world's largest wetland, spanning Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, and providing ecosystem services valued at $112 billion. It faces threats from land use changes, upstream pollution, and climate change, which is predicted to make the region hotter and drier. WWF is implementing a 'Trinational Initiative' to promote sustainable infrastructure, expand protected areas, and eradicate deforestation, which has already caused a loss of over 12% of the region's forest cover.

WWF Colombia is working to expand and manage the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP), notably through the Herencia Colombia (HECO) initiative. Launched in June 2022, HECO aims to secure $245 million to protect nearly 29 million hectares of landscapes and seascapes, supporting Colombia's 30X30 goal. A specific GCF project under HECO focuses on climate-resilient management for 5.72 million hectares, benefiting over 329,000 people directly and approximately 16.9 million people indirectly through ecosystem-based adaptation.

The document highlights that forests house 80% of land-based species and are critical for clean air, water, and climate regulation via carbon dioxide absorption. It warns that 24.7 million acres of forest are lost annually due to agricultural expansion, road construction, and illegal logging. To combat this, the guide promotes the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified products, which ensure protections for the environment and local communities, and suggests individual actions such as recycling and planting native species.

The document provides an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the MAR2R project, which aims to conserve shared freshwater, coastal, and marine resources in the Mesoamerican Reef ecoregion. It outlines the institutional roles of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) and partner NGOs, defines a project classification system (Categories A, B, and C) for screening impacts, and details the required procedures for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA). The framework specifically addresses risks associated with land-based threats to the reef, such as agricultural runoff, deforestation, and aquaculture, and sets strict safeguards for indigenous peoples and involuntary resettlement.

The guide outlines 60 practical actions for individuals to reduce their environmental impact, categorized by themes such as climate, forests, oceans, plastics, freshwater, food, wildlife, and biodiversity. It emphasizes the urgency of ending plastic pollution through both individual behavioral changes and support for a legally binding UN treaty. Key recommendations include transitioning to electric appliances, reducing food waste, supporting sustainable forestry and fisheries, and advocating for government policy changes like the FOREST Act and the 2024 Farm Bill.

WWF US reviewed 151 NDCs from 179 countries to evaluate the integration of protected areas into national climate strategies. The analysis found that while 37% of countries explicitly mention protected areas, there is significant under-reporting of nature-based solutions, particularly regarding carbon sequestration and ecosystem-based adaptation. Developing nations generally demonstrated higher ambition than developed economies. The report provides five recommendations for Parties to enhance their NDCs, including setting measurable targets for area expansion and managing protected areas for future climate risks.

WWF Colombia is supporting the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) through policy formulation, financial sustainability, and governance. A central pillar of this effort is the 'Herencia Colombia' (HECO) program, which aims to secure $245 million to protect 29 million hectares of land and sea, contributing to Colombia's 30x30 goal. Within HECO, a GCF-funded project focuses on climate-resilient landscape management across 5.72 million hectares to sequester carbon, regulate water, and improve the resilience of local communities.

The document highlights the critical role of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs in Belize for carbon sequestration and coastal protection. It details a partnership between the Belize Government, WWF, and other entities to assess carbon stocks, set measurable protection targets, and establish a monitoring, verification, and reporting (MRV) framework to support Belize's climate commitments.