Writing / Research

Credible primary and secondary research is crucial for presenting the case for conservation and development as well as forming the basis for trustworthy and reliable communications and fundraising material.

By supporting advocacy efforts, informing political initiatives and furthering sustainability in the business sector, our timely and comprehensive research has played an important role in promoting the sustainable development agenda of NGOs, governments and investors.

New species discoveries on New Guinea
(WWF Western Melanesia, launch date tbc 2008)
Report on newly discovered species on the remote island of New Guinea, located on the edge of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The report celebrates the incredible biological diversity of the island and what stands to be lost if more habitats are not protected or sustainably managed. Launch date tbc. More details to follow.

Biofuels in China
(AJG Investments, September 2007)
The Chinese government is considering the potential of biofuels to meet its future energy needs. We recently conducted research on the extent of international commercial jatropha and yellow horn development and principal actors for a private equity venture engaged in this process.

Could jatropha be a biofuel panacea? (BBC News Online, 8 July 2007)

Sustainable forest management in Congo Basin
(CDC Group, July 2007)
Research profiling potential NGO partners on behalf of the CDC Group to support a new sustainably managed forestry operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Find out more about the CDC Group

Asia Pacific corporate and government fundraising brochure
(WWF International, June 2007)
Brochure presenting WWF's conservation work in Asia Pacific across several priority issues and 20 countries, targeted at new corporate and government partners, as well as existing donors. The brochure was launched at the organisation's Annual Conference in Beijing in June 2007.
Download the report [3.14 Mb - PDF]

Alternative models and finance mechanisms for sustainable forest use in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
(DFID UK, June 2007)
After decades of conflict the DRC is now seeking to sustainably manage its vast forest resources - the second largest tropical forest in the world. For the Roundtable Review of Sustainable Forestry in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this research explored new forest management models and financing mechanisms for sustainable forest use and conservation in the African country, including Avoided Deforestation (AD), Payment for Environmental Services (PES), bioprospecting and ecotourism. For further background details read the DFID project summary.

New species discoveries on Borneo
(WWF Indonesia, December 2006)
Research to identify the number of new species discovered on Borneo over a one-year period. This project aimed to raise the media profile of an initiative to save the heart of Borneo a 220,000 square kilometre area of tropical rainforest. The research found that there had been at least 52 new species discoveries on the island between July 2005 and September 2006. The report launch was the most successful media release of the WWF global network in 2006.
Download the report [0.5 Mb - PDF]

Illegal logging statistics research
(WWF Global Forest & Trade Network, October 2006)
Research conducted on the extent of illegal logging in selected countries, including the rate of illegal wood production and the percentage of exports deemed to be from illegal sources. This research was used in a manual presenting best practice with respect to buying, processing, and selling legal timber and timber products, and avoiding illegally harvested timber.
Download "Keep it legal: Best practices for keeping illegally harvested timber out of your supply chain" [1.3 Mb - PDF]

Corporate fundraising proposal for freshwater conservation in Papua New Guinea
(WWF Papua New Guinea, July 2006)
A three year, multi-million dollar, company fundraising proposal for conservation in the Kikori region of Papua New Guinea. The area has the highest endemism in New Guinea, a lake with the highest fish endemism in Asia Pacific and over 2 million hectares of rainforests containing half of New Guinea's bird species. Recently scientists discovered eight new orchid species in the region.

This proposal was successful and three-year funding secured.

Read more on the Kikori region

Capital Offence: Is London failing the forests?
Howorth, R. Thompson, C. and Richards, B. (WWF-UK, March 2006)
This co-authored survey report shows that nearly half of all local authorities in London have no policies in place to prevent them from sourcing illegal forest products and only a third asked for documentary evidence that the product had come from a credibly certified forest.
Download the report [716 Kb - PDF]

Window of opportunity: the environmental and economic benefits of specifying timber windows
Thompson, C. (WWF-UK, July 2005)
This report shows that throughout the use and disposal of the product, the overall environmental impact is significantly less for timber windows than for PVC windows. The report encourages specifiers and buyers of windows to choose wood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Download the report [1.83 Mb - PDF]