Human activity has severely impacted the world’s wildlife. The continuous demand for natural resources, fragmentation of ecosystems and relentless poaching and trafficking of wildlife present an ominous future with ripple effects on economies and society. Yet, there are reasons to be optimistic.
This report showcases the achievements and impact made by the Global Wildlife Program (GWP), funded by the Global Environment Facility and led by the World Bank. The programme brings together 32 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean to combat illegal wildlife trade and safeguard diverse landscapes to keep ecosystems healthy, communities thriving and economies functioning. It leverages the expertise of a range of international partners – United Nations, development institutions and conservation NGOs – along with local and national partners.
Together, these partners are working towards the programme’s ambition to improve the management of 59 million hectares of land, working within and outside of protected areas at landscape level, benefit 1.9 million people and mitigate 58 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.