WWF Central and Eastern Europe

A critical milestone in the fight to save one of the world’s most endangered wildlife groups was reached yesterday at the Bern Convention. The Standing Committee adopted a formal recommendation endorsing technical guidelines for: ✅ sturgeon population monitoring ✅ habitat assessment ✅ ex-situ conservation measures. European range states are now expected to apply standardized, science-based guidelines for sturgeon conservation. This step paves the way for European sturgeon range states to significantly improve and harmonize their conservation efforts, enabling better data comparison, joint conclusions, and coordinated action to protect these ancient species. The guidelines were developed under a European Commission Service Contract by WWF and the expert network of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society. Learn more about the key results from the mid-term evaluation of the European action plan to save sturgeons here: https://buff.ly/4f3LvVw #WWF #sturgeon #wildlife #Danube

💔 Today, the Bern Convention voted to lower the wolf's protection status. It's extremely disappointing to see the EU and other countries prioritise political decisions over science. There is no scientific evidence supporting the decision to lower strict wolf protection in Europe, as highlighted by hundreds of scientists in recent weeks. Instead of supporting coexistence measures, Europe backtracks on its own conservation success. "Downgrading a species' strict protection status for the political gain of a few, against scientific evidence, puts decades of conservation efforts at risk," says Sabien Leemans, WWF European Policy Office Senior Biodiversity Policy Officer. "Now, the European Commission is likely to propose the same change to the EU's flagship Habitats Directive, with potential negative consequences far beyond the wolf," Sabien continues. Downgrading wolf strict protection risks deepening social divides rather than fostering constructive solutions. Wolf populations have barely recovered after going extinct in most parts of Europe, and weakening their protection could jeopardise this fragile recovery. Instead of easing tensions, this decision could exacerbate polarisation and erode trust in efforts to manage wolf populations effectively. Read more in our full reaction: https://buff.ly/3OA6moH

CEE governments must break free from reliance on EU-level achievements and take proactive steps to combat climate change. This includes: ✅ Boosting climate finance contributions to align with EU averages. ✅ Supporting higher climate ambitions during 2040 target negotiations. ✅ Accelerating domestic transitions to climate neutrality. With global climate needs becoming more urgent, the disappointing outcomes of COP29 serve as a wake-up call. The time for CEE governments to act is now. Read more here: https://buff.ly/4geolgc #COP29 #WWFCEE #Climate #Finance

Many years ago, Persina Island, briefly parting the Danube River in two only to reunite its waters shortly after, has grown quiet. Silence in nature can be haunting as it speaks back to us that something has gone wrong. The wetland on the island, once a symphony of life, was now long lost. And with them the home of countless wildlife species. 💧Persina Nature Park Directorate set out to restore this wilderness area by recreating the natural flooding of the wetland. This became possible through a series of ambitious projects implemented over several years. However, even after the critical restoration the water supply from the river to the wetland was often not enough. As part of The #LivingDanubePartnership, efforts were made to further improve the water supply, ultimately bringing back life to the area. And finally this happened. As the water returned, so did the fish, birds, amphibians, and, eventually, one very important species... 👏 Today, we celebrate the return of the magnificent Dalmatian pelican to Persina Island. This bird is an indicator species, signaling that this once-neglected ecosystem is now thriving again. 🌍This win for nature is one of many achievements made possible by the Living Danube Partnership thanks to the joint efforts of WWF-CEE, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the ICPDR in the course of 7 years. The partnership involved a wide network of collaborators, from water, nature, and forest managers to municipalities, county governments, landowners, anglers, hunters, and entrepreneurs. All of them have come and worked together to restore rivers and wetlands for the benefit of people and nature. Enjoy some of the success stories of the Living Danube Partnership by watching the short film here🎬https://lnkd.in/eC8pqduE Photo credit: © Persina Nature Park Directorate #RipplesOfChange #WWF #GreenHeartOfEurope #LivingDanube

💧The Danube is the lifeline of Europe. Approximately 79 million people live in the Danube River Basin and more than 20 million people depend directly on the Danube for their drinking water. Protecting our freshwater ecosystems means protecting both people and nature. Wetlands and floodplains act as natural buffers against floods and droughts and contribute to cleaner and healthier water. They also store large amounts of carbon, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change. 🌎With 80% of these vital ecosystems lost, restoring them is an investment in the well-being of local communities, wildlife, and future generations. Swipe through some of the positive impacts of our work to protect and restore the #LivingDanube. Want to dive deeper into the ripples of change we've made along the Danube? Watch our story unfold in this powerful film here: https://lnkd.in/eC8pqduE WWF Bulgaria, WWF-Romania, WWF Magyarország #RipplesOfChange #LivingDanubePartnership #WWF #GreenHeartOfEurope

Every day the news is full of reports about yet another catastrophic flood, devastating drought or record-breaking storm. Nowhere is safe from the worsening - primarily water-related - impacts of climate change. The world needs to accelerate adaptation.💧 Particularly, by increasing investment in Nature-based Solutions in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. Why❓ Because they work. Published today, WWF’s new Watering Resilience report highlights the impact of diverse Nature-based Solutions projects across the globe - from reconnecting floodplains to recreating wetlands and restoring mangroves. Critically, these Nature-based Solutions are not only helping to reduce the impact of extreme floods, alleviate droughts and buffer coastal communities and cities from storm surges and sea level rise, but they are also simultaneously helping to 🌱reverse nature loss. They are a win-win-win for people, nature and climate. Learn more here: https://buff.ly/3Zc5L2r

"Human beings often think that they are not that powerful, but it’s totally not true. We’ve managed to change the climate of a whole planet. Can you imagine what we can do if we plan carefully, and with good will?”. This insight from Stoyan Mihov, Freshwater Program Manager at WWF Bulgaria, is featured in a film capturing the ripple effect of change created by the #LivingDanubePartnership. 💧The Danube River is a crucial lifeline for Europe. Yet more than 80% of floodplains and wetlands along the Danube River and its tributaries have been lost over the past 150 years. And with them the vital ecosystem services that they provided, from fish and fowl to water purification and buffering of the effects of floods and droughts.     🌱In its first phase, the Living Danube Partnership brought together WWF Central and Eastern Europe, The Coca-Cola Foundation and the ICPDR to promote the conservation and restoration of these vital wetlands in the Danube basin. 📍From 2014 to 2021, the partnership facilitated nine floodplain and river restoration projects across Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and Romania, working closely with local authorities and stakeholders Watch the film below to celebrate the #RipplesOfChange we’ve created together along the Danube. 🔵 SHARE this success story for people and nature with your network! Learn more about it here: https://lnkd.in/eC8pqduE #LivingDanube #WWF #GreenHeartOfEurope

💔 BREAKING! EPP Group in the European Parliament - with the help from the far-right - dismantles EU Deforestation law in chaotic European Parliament vote. Today, the European Parliament, driven by the European People’s Party (EPP), voted for amendments to substantially weaken the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) de facto deregulating and undermining one of the EU’s landmark environmental laws. By introducing a category of “no risk” countries, the EPP and its allies have effectively voted to enable further forest destruction both within and outside of Europe. This move is an unprecedented attack on: 🌳 Forests 🌍 Climate 💰 Forward-looking businesses 👯 Citizens 🤝 Trust in EU decision-making Our reaction: https://buff.ly/40GZ4qk #EUDR #Together4Forests #WeHadADeal

The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean has adopted its first binding recommendation for #sturgeon protection. With the backing of 22 member countries and the European Union, this new measure 🛑 establishes a permanent ban on catching Black Sea sturgeons 🐟 introduces strict requirements to reduce and report bycatch 📢 promotes increased awareness in the fishing industry #WWF applauds the #GFCM first management measures for #BlackSea sturgeons and the inclusion of sturgeons in the regional action plan for vulnerable species. "This decision marks a crucial step toward safeguarding sturgeon, bringing hope that with stronger protection, better handling of discards, and better reporting of bycatch, these remarkable species can recover and thrive once again in the Black Sea. Urgent, coordinated action is essential to ensure sturgeons continue to inhabit our rivers and the Black Sea for generations to come.", says Beate Striebel-Greiter, WWF Global Sturgeon Lead. Join us in celebrating this milestone by sharing this post! Learn more: https://buff.ly/4hM8tCU Photo credit 📷 Zdravko Yonchev

Europe’s green transition is already underway - we can’t stop now! 🌱 Renewable and green technologies are powering the EU economy, benefiting business, nature and society. They also help create a resilient, sustainable and socially fair EU. 📢 More than 60 companies and 180 NGOs agree: Environmental laws must deliver on their promise. Policy-makers must stick to the agreements made and implement the rules. Keep the Green Deal solid. Nature needs certainty! Learn more here: https://buff.ly/4hsylUx #WeHadADeal