Partner focus
WWF'S Beliefs & Values Programme
All of society must be engaged if we are to stop the destruction of nature and restore balance to the Earth. Faith Plans is proud to be partnering with WWF’s Beliefs & Values Programme whose goal is to encourage faith communities and conservation partners to work more closely together to protect nature and restore bioiversity.
'We need a dialogue between religion and science, the two most powerful forces in the world.'
E.O. Wilson, American biologist, naturalist, and writer
Beliefs & Values Programme
WWF works in more than 100 countries to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. WWF’s Beliefs & Values Programme (BVP), which is a leading partner in Faith Plans, brings together faith and conservation partners to protect and restore biodiversity.
BVP aims to integrates a faith-based approach into conservation strategies, and engages with leaders and communities based on their spiritual, religious and cultural beliefs and value systems.
Religious groups are the largest part of civil society: 85% of the world population affiliates with a religion or spiritual tradition. And according to UNEP, almost 200 faith-based organisations are active on key issues such as climate change, renewable energy, and reforestation.
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In recognition of the enormous power of the faiths to inspire millions of people in environmental efforts, and of conservation groups to provide technical and scientific support, we are now seeing an explosion of faith and environmental partnerships.
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BVP works with both the faith and science communities to encourage both to understand each other better and work more closely together to protect nature in priority landscapes. The BVP supports global learning on faith and conservation and is developing a Faith & Nature Hub website with resources to support conservationists and faith communities.
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WWF's conservation goals
Zero loss of natural habitats
We are working for 30% of all land, seas, and freshwater to become protected / community conserved areas run by indigenous peoples and local communities – with a further 20% managed sustainably. And moving to 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes under restoration by 2030.
Zero extinction of species
We are striving to halt species extinction caused by human activity, with wildlife populations stable or increasing. To achieve this, we need to end illegal over-exploitation and trade, reduce conflicts between people and wildlife, minimise incidental capture, and the threats to wildlife from invasive species.
Halve consumption footprint
We need action on many fronts, including moving towards 50% of agriculture and aquaculture under sustainable management. Food loss and waste must be halved, pollution stopped, and the global footprint of our diets halved. We also need to see a halving of greenhouse gas emissions from 2010 levels
Goals of the partnership between Faith Plans and WWF's Beliefs & Values Programme
Scale up efforts...
... to encourage, mobilise and enable faith communities, including through WWF's national networks, to develop Faith Plans for People and Planet.
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Support and inspire...
... faith communities to develop nature-focused initiatives as part of their long-term Faith Plans, with a particular focus on tree growing and conservation.
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Provide a pathway...
... for co-created opportunities, knowledge sharing and capacity building between Faith Plans, FP partners, and WWF Beliefs & Values.
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Tree growing guidelines for faith communities
WWF Beliefs & Values Programme is developing a guide on tree growing for conservation and ecosystem restoration, providing a simple step-by-step approach to help faith communities in developing and implementing tree growing initiatives to support people, nature and climate. Download the draft Guidelines by clicking on the image below.
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BVP is keen to hear any feedback as it finalises the guide. Please let us know.