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

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 document outlines the AWS International Water Stewardship Standard, a voluntary, six-step framework designed to help businesses move from water risk concern to action. It emphasizes that sustainable water management requires a stakeholder-inclusive process that looks beyond a facility's 'fence line' to the broader catchment. The guide details the four desired outcomes of the standard—good water governance, sustainable water balance, good water quality status, and viable important water-related areas—and provides a step-by-step roadmap from initial commitment to public disclosure and certification.

The WWF-US Aquaculture Feed Strategy aims to mitigate environmental degradation caused by current aquaculture feed production, such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. The strategy focuses on five key areas: sustainable feed solutions (including alternative proteins and precision feeding), climate and environmental impact reduction, nutrient recovery from waste, animal health and welfare, and the use of AI for economic growth and innovation.

The report analyses survey data from 74 respondents in Cape Town regarding their use of boreholes and views on groundwater management. Key findings indicate that while many citizens use or consider boreholes to reduce reliance on municipal water and mitigate drought risks, there is strong support for regulating groundwater to prevent over-abstraction. The document also identifies a significant gap in the availability of local groundwater quality data and recommends the creation of a public information dashboard, preferably via a web page, to provide data on water quality, abstraction amounts, and borehole registration.

The usability testing of the WWF groundwater dashboard revealed that while users value the tool's data, the interface is often overwhelming and difficult to navigate for non-experts. Key issues include inconsistent fonts, a lack of clear purpose on the landing page, confusing map layers, and an excessive amount of text. Recommendations include creating separate user profiles for experts and non-experts, implementing color-coded severity indicators for groundwater levels, and adding tutorials to guide new users.

The document outlines a water stewardship approach for farmers in the Western Cape, specifically within the Breede River catchment. It identifies key water risks—physical, social, regulatory, and reputational—and promotes the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard as a tool for sustainable water management. Through case studies of nine farms, it demonstrates how technology, nutrient management, and community engagement can mitigate these risks. The guide also addresses broader catchment-level challenges, such as invasive plant species and sanitation issues in growing urban areas like Prince Alfred Hamlet.

The document outlines a water stewardship project in the Western Cape's Breede catchment, involving nine volunteer stone-fruit farmers. It details the application of the AWS standard to manage physical, social, regulatory, and reputational water risks. Case studies demonstrate practical improvements in irrigation technology, fertiliser reduction, and infrastructure security. The guide also identifies broader catchment-level risks, such as urban sanitation and alien invasive plants, and suggests expanding water stewardship to other sectors like forestry and mining in South Africa.

A 2020/21 WWF study identifies significant faecal contamination in the Crocodile and Sabie Rivers, where E. coli levels frequently exceed safety guidelines for irrigation. This pollution, caused by failing wastewater infrastructure and poor sanitation, poses severe health risks, particularly for subsistence farmers growing high-risk crops like leafy greens. The document recommends a combination of improved governance, targeted farming techniques, and a community-private-public partnership to manage water quality and ensure food safety.