Annual Review 2013 - (Page 5)

FOREWORD FROM YOLANDA KAKABADSE The President of WWF International explains why energy issues are at the centre of this year's review © WWF-Canon / Richard Stonehouse The world is using more energy than ever as populations and economies grow. At the same time, we need to find ways to provide for the hundreds of millions of people who have no access to modern energy - as well as the extra 2 billion people who will join the human race between now and 2050. But in meeting our energy needs with fossil fuels, we are paying a terrible price. Climate change threatens so many of the species and places WWF has fought so hard to protect, as well as bringing huge social costs. And the search for new sources of oil and gas to exploit threatens vital habitats, from the Arctic to the Amazon to Virunga, Africa's oldest national park. Finding ways to bring clean, affordable energy to all, in a way the planet can sustain, has never been more urgent. That's why we've made energy and climate change the focus of this year's annual review. Yolanda Kakabadse President WWF International One of WWF's great strengths is that we are able to make the link between the global and the local. Fixing our broken energy system will require bold actions by governments, banks and big businesses at the global level: we play a key role in international climate negotiations, and have a material influence on the policies and spending decisions of major financial institutions and development agencies. Equally, transformation has to happen at home and at the local level: through our field projects, we've demonstrated how renewable energy can meet people's needs while helping to protect vital habitats. WWF is determined to find solutions to the big challenges the planet faces and act upon them, globally and locally. Our ability to do so owes much to the leadership and vision of Jim Leape, who stepped down after eight years as Director General of WWF International at the start of 2014. I would like to thank Jim for all he has done to make WWF a more effective, dynamic and truly global organization as we seek to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. "Finding ways to bring clean, affordable energy to all, in a way the planet can sustain, has never been more urgent." WWF-INT Annual Review 2013 page 5

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Annual Review 2013