Arctic policy

WWF's goals in the Arctic are to preserve the region's rich biodiversity, to ensure that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and to reduce pollution and wasteful consumption.

To do this we work actively in three arenas that strongly influence the arctic environment:

• The political arena, where decisions are made that guide and regulate the actions of individuals and businesses;

• The business arena, since commercial markets are among the strongest driving forces behind how we exploit and affect our natural environment; and

• The public arena, where choices are made concerning our individual actions and life styles, and where voting power (influencing politicians) and consumer power (influencing business) is held.

An important political arena for the WWF Arctic Programme is the Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum for circumpolar co-operation on environment, socio-economic and cultural issues.

In our work with business and industry we strive to achieve real improvements in corporate environmental performance. In our partnerships with key industries we remain independent, transparent, and solutions-oriented. WWF promotes mutual respect in business dealings, yet we always retain our right to criticize.

In the public arena WWF works through targeted campaigns and communications using national and international media. Building on relationships developed between WWF and indigenous peoples groups, arctic governments, and business and industry, WWF is today the best-positioned and most influential environmental NGO in the Arctic.