Search Climate Insights Directory

WWF South Africa aims to transition from a conservation model that separated people from protected areas to one where local communities are primary custodians of 'Mega Living Landscapes' (MLLs) and Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs). The strategy focuses on four priority geographic areas: Zululand/Mpumalanga, Arid Zone/Northern Cape, and the Cape Floristic Region. To achieve this, WWF proposes four pathways: scaling up biodiversity stewardship and protection (including OECMs), enhancing community livelihoods through consolidated value offerings, driving an economic transition, and mobilising new scales of public and private finance.

WWF South Africa's Strategy 2030 aims to unlock an economic transition that decouples human development from harmful environmental impacts. The strategy focuses on three entry points—climate and energy, food and fibre, and water—and employs three pathways: influencing policy and governance, reshaping market practices in sectors like retail and forestry, and aligning financial policy with net-zero and nature-related disclosures.

WWF South Africa aims to address a significant biodiversity finance gap through three pathways: scaling up land and seascape finance mechanisms, increasing private investment in bankable nature solutions, and improving financial inclusion for small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) and local community enterprises.

The Table Mountain Water Source Partnership was established in 2020 following a severe drought (2017–2020) to coordinate groundwater management in Cape Town. The partnership, comprising government, private sector, academic, and civil society members, focuses on policy work, restoration of recharge areas, and the development of monitoring tools like groundwater dashboards. Cape Town is situated within two strategic water source areas: the surface-level Table Mountain Water Source Area and the Cape Flats-Cape Peninsula groundwater source area. The document highlights the risk posed by unmanaged private borehole abstraction and the increased likelihood of severe droughts due to the climate crisis.

The document is an educational resource developed by WWF South Africa to teach learners about climate impacts and environmental hazards. It uses a tapestry created by 43 artists from Hamburg, Eastern Cape, to illustrate the vulnerabilities of coastal communities. The four lessons cover topics including litter and pollution, biodiversity loss and poaching, food systems and fossil fuels, and the role of art in spreading climate awareness. The guide includes teacher tips, learner worksheets, and a series of short stories from local residents detailing their experiences with unseasonal weather, declining fish stocks, and climate anxiety.

The uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (UWASP) is a multistakeholder platform established following a severe drought in 2016 to address water scarcity and security in the uMhlathuze catchment. The catchment is a high-risk area where water demand is projected to rise, with Richards Bay alone expected to require 20 million m³ per annum by 2025. UWASP's new five-year strategy focuses on five strategic areas: integrated knowledge management, stakeholder mobilisation, capacity building, strengthening water governance, and implementing climate-aware water stewardship projects. Past successes include the development of real-time monitoring tools like FlowTracker, invasive alien plant strategies, and providing Good Agricultural Practices training to over 50 smallholder farmers.

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.

The 'Cocktail Party Guide' by WWF South Africa outlines how to organize a fundraising event called 'Wear it Wild'. It includes a checklist for hosts, a variety of animal-themed party games, costume themes—such as dressing as animals threatened with extinction—and recipes for themed food and drinks. The document emphasizes the use of fake fur for costumes and encourages guests to make donations to support the protection of species like tigers, elephants, and rhinos.

The 'CHILDREN’S PARTY GUIDE' by WWF South Africa provides instructions and ideas for hosting a 'Wear it Wild' themed children's party to raise funds for WWF's conservation efforts and educate children about the natural world.

This guide provides a step-by-step activity for children aged 6-10 to create a lion mask using recycled cardboard, tissue paper, and glue. Alongside the craft instructions, the document notes that African lion populations are declining due to habitat loss and conflict with farmers, with approximately 20,000 individuals remaining in the wild.

This guide provides a step-by-step tutorial for children to create animal masks using recycled cardboard and other craft materials. The activity is framed as a way to show love for wildlife and support efforts to protect the planet, noting a significant decline in global wildlife populations.

The document outlines a collaborative effort between Mondi, WWF, the National Business Initiative (NBI), and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to manage water resources in the uMhlathuze river catchment. Central to this is the uMhlathuze Water Stewardship Partnership (uWASP), established in 2016, which coordinates stakeholders across six sectors to address water security. Key achievements include the development of real-time monitoring tools (FlowTracker and Inwards Lite), the implementation of an Alien Invasive Plant (AIP) Strategy, and improvements in irrigation governance and wetland rehabilitation. The document highlights the critical nature of Strategic Water Source Areas (SWSAs) in South Africa and notes that water demand in the uMhlathuze catchment is projected to rise due to population growth and climate change, with Richards Bay expected to require 20 mcm/a by 2025.

The guide outlines the essential kit and techniques for face painting at 'Wear it Wild' events, emphasizing safety measures such as obtaining parental consent and checking for skin allergies. It provides step-by-step instructions for three animal designs—a panda, a butterfly, and a tiger—and includes a customizable disclaimer for event organizers regarding health, hygiene, and liability.

The 'Wear it Wild' guide encourages youth groups (ages 5–14) to engage in animal-themed activities, such as creating costumes and masks from recycled materials, to raise funds for the protection of species like tigers and rhinos. It suggests events including open evenings, face-painting, treasure hunts, and 'safaris' involving bake sales or sponsored walks, while emphasizing the use of fake fur and recycled clothing.

The WWF-Sappi partnership, established in 2021, focuses on strengthening water governance and biodiversity conservation in the Umkhomazi catchment. Key initiatives include the creation of the Umkhomazi Catchment Working Group, the clearing of 188 hectares of invasive alien vegetation to replenish 205.2 megalitres of water, and the implementation of sustainable rangeland management across 2,323 hectares. The project aims to secure 30,000 hectares of key biodiversity land, particularly within the Southern Drakensberg Strategic Water Source Area, while providing employment and environmental education to local communities.

A BioBlitz survey in the upper uMkhomazi catchment recorded approximately 330 plant species and 40 bird species, confirming the presence of several threatened and regionally significant species.

The WWF Graduate Internship Programme provides an 18-month structured learning experience for first-degree, Honours, and Master’s graduates in South Africa. The programme aims to enhance employability and build capacity for environmental governance by pairing interns with mentors in specific roles at WWF or partner organizations. WWF manages the application and training process, while hosts provide workstations, operational budgets, and mentoring. Since 2012, the programme has placed 250 interns, with 66% being women and 85% being black historically disadvantaged individuals.

The document lists rental rates for various conference facilities at WWF South Africa's 6-star 'green star' rated building in Braamfontein, including board rooms and presentation spaces with capacities ranging from 16 to 100 people.

The document presents the 'Umlibo' tapestry, a 6m x 2m artwork created by 43 artists in Hamburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Through personal narratives, it details how climate change manifests as unseasonal rainfall, soil erosion, and declining marine stocks, while highlighting the role of sustainable livelihoods—such as food gardens and art—in building community resilience.