How can I help

How can I help reduce my carbon footprint?

The first step to reducing your carbon footprint is understanding where it is the highest. Calculate your carbon footprint and see if you need make changes to your traveling, diet, energy use etc. We've also compiled a list of things you can do to help!
 

How can I be a part of WWF?

WWF operates in several countries. Visit our list of current vacancies. To find out about volunteering and internships opportunities, you are welcome to contact any WWF office of your choice. Most of our offices around the world are managed independently - so that means they have their own separate projects. All contact details for our offices are available on our website. You could also visit the volunteer's section.
 

About WWF

What is WWF?

WWF is one of the world's largest conservation organizations. It was conceived on the 29th April 1961. WWF focuses its work around the magnificent diversity of life on this planet, the extraordinary places they live in.  All the while trying to reduce humanity’s impact on this life and in these places. The central secretariat for the network, called WWF International, is now located across 4 areas - Singapore, Woking, Nairobi, and Gland. WWF is an independent foundation registered under Swiss law. The organization has offices in more than 80 countries around the world.
 

What do the initials WWF stand for?

WWF originally stood for "World Wildlife Fund". However, in 1986, WWF had come to realize that its name no longer reflected the scope of its activities, and changed its name to "World Wide Fund For Nature". The United States and Canada, however, retained the old name. The resulting confusion caused by the name change in 1986, together with its translation into more than 15 languages, led the WWF Network in 2001 to agree on using the original acronym as its one, global name - the acronym that it had always been known by since its inception way back in 1961: WWF. Find out more on the panda symbol and how it has changed over the years!
 

What is WWF's mission?

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:

• conserving the world’s biological diversity
• ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
• promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

 

Who is in charge?

WWF is governed by a Board of Trustees under an International President, Dr. Adil Najam. The Director General of WWF International is Kirsten Schuijt.
 

What has WWF achieved?

Check out our success stories to find out the various things we have achieved.
 

Does WWF work on animal welfare/animal rights issues?

WWF works to conserve endangered species, protect endangered places, and address global threats to the planet, such as climate change. While a lot of our work is protecting endangered animals in the wild, our expertise is not in dealing with issues relating to animals in captivity. While animal welfare is outside our expertise and our legally-binding constitution, we’re constantly striving to build a world in which humans live in harmony with nature. For information about animal welfare issues, we suggest that you contact organisations such as HSI (the Humane Society International), World Animal Protection (formerly WSPA), or the RSPCA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), which campaign to end captive animal abuse.
 

Donations

How can I donate to WWF?

You can donate to WWF online today. You may also shop at our virtual gift shop. Unfortunately, as we’re the International secretariat, we cannot accept cheques. If you would like to donate to your local WWF, please visit the office's website.
 

How do I adopt an animal?

Please note that you will have to adopt an animal through National Offices like WWF-UK, WWF-CA, WWF-AU or WWF-USA. All adoptions are a figurative way for you to support WWF. This means everyone adopts the same animal or group of animals.
 

Where do my donations go?

We would like to reassure you that your donation really does make a difference. In terms of how your generous donation has been spent, we are proud to say that we spend 56% of our income on conservation programmes, and 16% on communicating, influencing and raising awareness. A further 25% of our income is spent on fundraising and for every pound we spend on this; nearly £4 is generated for our conservation work. We also spend 2% of our income on governance and monitoring systems which ensure we remain accountable and this includes administration costs. The final 1% is for gifts in kind. This will be slightly different in each country, please feel free to contact you local office for further information.
 

Is my donation tax-deductible?

WWF International cannot provide registered tax receipts to US, Canadian or Australian residents. To make a tax-receiptable donation, please go to wwf.org and locate the WWF office in your country of residence. If you believe your donation is tax-deductible in your country or residence, please write in to donations@wwfint.org to request a receipt.
 

How do I cancel my donation?

To cancel your donation to WWF International, please email donations@wwfint.org and attach a transaction confirmation email you’ve received for any of your donations. If you have not donated to WWF International, please find and contact your local WWF office.
 

Earth Hour

What is Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is the largest grassroots movement for climate action. For more information on what it is, when it is, and how you can participate, please visit the Earth Hour website.
 

When is Earth Hour?

Earth hour is an annual event occurring on the last Saturday of March from 8:30pm-9:30pm local time.
 

How can I be a part of Earth Hour?

Earth Hour is carried out by WWF offices in various countries. Find your local offices. For countries where a WWF isn’t present please check the Earth Hour website for the current organiser.