WWF's Global Freshwater Programme is a recognized leader in wetland conservation and issues related to water footprint, water stewardship, and water security.
Securing water for people and nature
We are working to conserve freshwater ecosystems and improve water access, efficiency, and allocation for people and the environment – an essential component of saving most of WWF's priority places and species and reducing the impact of humanity's water footprint.
The work is focused on 6 key areas:
All this work is carried out in collaboration with diverse partners, including other NGOs, governments, development agencies, businesses, and international conventions.
The work is focused on 6 key areas:
All this work is carried out in collaboration with diverse partners, including other NGOs, governments, development agencies, businesses, and international conventions.
Why do we do this?
Water security is one of the great challenges of the 21st century. It goes to the heart of biodiversity conservation, food and energy supply, conflict mitigation, climate change adaptation and poverty reduction.
More information
A few freshwater facts:
- Since 1900, more than half the world’s wetlands have disappeared
- Most of the world’s largest rivers are losing their connection to the sea and nearly a quarter of those left risk being disconnected in the next 15 years
- Water scarcity will be a certainty for 4 billion people by 2050
- Feeding the world's growing population will require water diversions close to all the water withdrawals at present
- People will feel the impact of climate change most through the distribution and seasonal and annual variability of water
- Rivers produce more then one-fifth of the world’s electricity
- More than 5 million people die from waterborne diseases each year – 10 times the number killed in wars
- 1.1 billion people still do not have access to clean and safe drinking water
- Freshwater species decline is already high, and the above-mentioned issues all impact further upon species and habitats
The primary threats to freshwater ecosystems are:
- Habitat loss
- Changes to water flow
- Pollution
- Overharvesting of water and freshwater species
- Invasive species
- Climate change
- Poor water and river basin governance
- Agriculture
- Dam construction
- Poor private sector standards, investments, and performance along the supply chain