On Tuesday, 26 February, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) board formally approved its US$4.5 million co-funding for the new Sustainable Forest and Biodiversity Management program in the Heart of Borneo.

This funding is part of a program that was approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council in November 2012. In addition to the ADB’s US$4.5m, the GEF will provide US$2.5m, the Government of Indonesia US$0.5m and WWF US$2m. The GEF program is an example of the power of collaboration with public sector partners, which has resulted in several new funding mechanisms directed at the Heart of Borneo program.

Read more: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/borneo_forests/?207692/Up-...

ADB is partnering with WWF and the governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to conserve the lush forests of Borneo, providing sustainable livelihood for local populations and a safe haven for thousands of animals and plant species.

Read more: http://www.adb.org/features/heart-borneo-saving-lungs-southeast-asia#sth...

Governments meeting in India to make key decisions on our planet’s future have to prove the deal they struck two years ago was not just a display of good will but a serious commitment.

Over 190 nations will meet in Hyderabad from 8th to 19th October to discuss implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, a legally binding treaty governing the sustainable use of our planet’s natural wealth.

Read more: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?206386/Governments-invest-too-slowly-in-p...

Fact: Regardless of where you live, it is quite likely that an invisible bond ties you to 6 million km2 of seas in the Asia-Pacific region that are just bursting with marine life—this is the Coral Triangle, the nursery of the seas.

Visit the website: http://mycoraltriangle.wwf.or.id/coralweb/

Cities in Canada, India, Italy, Sweden and the United States will be invited this year to participate in an Earth Hour City Challenge, urging them to take a leadership role in the global transition towards a low carbon economy.

“Cities currently account for over 70 per cent of global CO2 emissions – so their leadership in reducing emissions will be crucial if we are to avoid escalating levels of climate change” said Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International.

Palm oil is a common ingredient in a wide range of consumer good products found in India.

However, the use of this vegetable oil is linked to global warming and to the loss of some of the most fragile tropical rainforests.

How can Indian companies be part of the solution and ensure they have access to a supply of sustainable palm oil well into the future?

Read more: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/all_publications/?203757/BROCHURE-T...

Marine turtles are to the Coral Triangle what jewels are to a crown: both indispensable and marvelous. In the case of turtles, they are also highly vulnerable.

Check out this infographic to discover the simple aspects of turtles' life cycle, and the threats they face in the ocean.

Read more: http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/publications/?201080/IN...

Environmental degradation is causing serious detrimental health impacts for humans, but protecting natural habitats can reverse this and supply positive health benefits, according to a new WWF report.

“Our research confirms what we know instinctively: Human health is inextricably linked to the health of the planet,” says Chris Elliot, WWF’s Executive Director of Conservation.

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Many fishers are well aware of the need to safeguard fish populations and the marine environment. However, the greed and waste of some large commercial fleets combined with modern developments in fishing technology have had an enormous effect on fishing worldwide.

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The study draws on the recent literature on development and the environment to help identify two main sets of issues. First, there are new opportunities for civil society to work towards better environmental outcomes as a result of the focus on improving aid effectiveness. Second, there remain challenges for civil society to secure greater attention on the environment within the new development agenda. By improving understanding of these issues this study aims to contribute to the debate.

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http://www.odi.org.uk/