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The Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership (UCP), established in 2013, works to restore the ecologically diverse but vulnerable Umzimvubu catchment in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Facing threats from climate change and invasive species, the UCP employs a collaborative, ecosystem-based approach to secure water for over two million people and improve local livelihoods. Key achievements include protecting 43 springs, designating 49,200 hectares for stewardship, and creating thousands of jobs through conservation and livestock-based economic support.

This guide, published by WWF South Africa in 2020, introduces the 'One Food' approach to sustainable agriculture. It promotes agroecology and rangeland management to create a resilient food system that integrates human, animal, and environmental health, specifically focusing on biodiversity and climate adaptation for farmers.

This guide, published by WWF South Africa in 2020, introduces the 'One Food' approach to sustainable food production. It promotes agroecology and nature-based solutions to help farmers manage risks related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and livestock management while ensuring long-term food security and environmental health.

This report by GEOSS South Africa for WWF South Africa details the establishment of a citizen science groundwater monitoring network in two pilot areas of Cape Town: Newlands and the Epping/Airport Industria area. The project aims to address the risks posed by unsustainable groundwater abstraction, which increased during the 2015–2019 drought, by characterizing groundwater resources and installing monitoring equipment to support future numerical groundwater modeling.

This executive summary report, produced by WWF South Africa in collaboration with IIASA, assesses the current and future potential for sustainable aviation biofuel feedstock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Using a systems analysis approach and RSB sustainability criteria, the study identifies 'REMAIN' land—areas not required for food security or environmental conservation—and evaluates the technical potential of various feedstocks to meet a minimum 60% greenhouse gas (GHG) savings criterion. The report concludes that while significant technical potential exists, it is likely to decrease by 2050 due to population growth, food demand, and climate change.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the health challenges associated with unhealthy diets and food insecurity in South Africa. It explores the potential for collaborative industry initiatives between food manufacturers, retailers, government, and NGOs to address the 'triple burden of malnutrition' and the environmental impacts of industrial agriculture.

The report 'Young Leaders' by WWF South Africa documents the first decade of its Environmental Leaders internship programme (2008–2018), which aims to bridge the gap between university graduation and professional employment in the green economy. The programme focuses on developing scarce green skills through work-based learning, dedicated mentoring, and professional networking to combat high graduate unemployment in South Africa.

The 2018 Ocean Scorecard, published by WWF South Africa, provides an updated assessment of the state of South Africa's ocean economy and global fish stocks. It tracks progress against a 2016 baseline, highlighting critical declines in specific species, shifts in fishery exploitation levels, and progress in marine spatial planning and coastal livelihoods.

This guide by WWF South Africa provides instructions for securing safe drinking water for residents of Cape Town facing a 'Day Zero' water crisis. It details the risks associated with untreated alternative water sources, the necessity of testing and treatment, and methods for safe storage.

This report by WWF South Africa explores the business case for introducing electric orchard tractors in South Africa's horticultural sector. It identifies a significant market opportunity to replace small diesel tractors with electric alternatives for low-energy applications, highlighting potential carbon emission savings, socio-economic benefits through local manufacturing, and the financial viability of a lower total cost of ownership despite higher initial capital costs.

This research paper by WWF South Africa argues that the global transition to a low-carbon economy, driven by the Paris Agreement, creates significant opportunities for South Africa's mining sector. The document details the high material intensity of clean energy technologies—such as solar, wind, and geothermal—and positions South Africa's vast mineral reserves as a strategic advantage for revitalising its extractive industries and re-industrialising its economy through the manufacturing of low-carbon technologies.

This briefing by WWF South Africa examines the urban and environmental impacts of parking infrastructure, specifically focusing on the transition from minimum to maximum parking requirements. It argues that oversupplying parking incentivizes private car use and increases greenhouse gas emissions, while providing case studies from the USA and UK to suggest policy reforms for developing countries like South Africa.

This report evaluates the potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and electricity. While the current adoption is very low (less than 0.5% of thermal demand), the study finds that 20-40% of the 370 GWh annual thermal energy requirement could be met by solar thermal systems. A case study at Paarl Provincial Hospital demonstrates that such systems can be financially viable, achieving a 10% internal rate of return and a levelised cost of heat (LCOH) of R0,62/kWh, even when competing with energy-efficient heat pumps. However, widespread adoption is hindered by high upfront costs, outdated infrastructure, asbestos roofing, and a preference for solar PV systems.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the business case for adopting solar thermal technologies in the South African food and beverage industries to replace non-renewable heat sources. It highlights the potential for significant greenhouse gas reductions, job creation in manufacturing and installation, and financial viability for most fuel replacements other than coal.

This report by WWF South Africa outlines the business and climate case for redirecting surplus food—edible food that is not 'true waste'—from farms and firms to people in need. It identifies significant opportunities for greenhouse gas mitigation and socio-economic benefit, while highlighting systemic barriers such as liability concerns and date labelling.

This report summarizes an information session held by WWF South Africa on October 18, 2017, focused on water saving and stewardship for agricultural producers in the Western Cape. It addresses the critical water scarcity facing the region, the role of producers as stewards of shared water resources, and practical technological and biological methods to improve water use efficiency and mitigate climate risks.

This practical guide, published by WWF South Africa in 2017, provides host employers with a framework for quality assuring Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for student interns in the biodiversity and environment sector. It outlines the entire internship lifecycle, from preparing the organization and recruiting students to mentoring, induction, assessment, and monitoring and evaluation.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the potential and progress of renewable energy (RE) in South Africa, focusing on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) and the challenges posed by the state utility Eskom's dominance and the country's historical dependence on coal.

WWF South Africa reports that one-third of the country's food (10 million tonnes annually) is wasted, costing the economy R61.5 billion and wasting significant water and energy resources. Most waste occurs early in the supply chain, particularly in fruits and vegetables. The report highlights the environmental impact of landfill methane and the social contradiction of high waste alongside widespread hunger and childhood malnutrition. It calls for collaborative action, better data reporting via the FLW Standard, and improved consumer education on date labels to reduce waste.

This fact sheet by WWF South Africa outlines the organization's strategy to support smallholder farmers in adopting conservation and climate-smart agriculture to improve food security, restore natural landscapes, and meet national and international climate commitments.