WWF, FAITH &
CONSERVATION

Photograph: © WWF-Uganda

OVERVIEW

WWF has had a long-standing engagement with the faith world. In 1986, a groundbreaking meeting was held in Assisi, Italy, as part of WWF’s 25th anniversary, on the suggestion of then President of WWF International, HRH Prince Philip. It was this extraordinary first-ever meeting between the major faith groups and conservation organisations that prompted the faiths to consider the environment as a religious issue – in many cases for the first time.

WWF supports on-the-ground projects as well as faith advocacy for a greener world. Through this work, we engage with communities based on their spiritual, religious and cultural beliefs and value systems. See below for information on some of the projects and resources WWF has supported with faith partners.

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Working with faith groups

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'Faith has always been present in the environmental movement and yet it is invisible. The fact is that where we get our values about nature from – in all religions, in all places, all peoples – is very deeply rooted in people's faith'

Dr Adil Najam, President of WWF International, speaking at COP28

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WWF INDONESIA SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE MERIT RELEASE IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN

Earlier this year, WWF Indonesia was invited by a representative of the Ministry of Religious Affairs from the Buddhist community in Central Kalimantan to discuss sustainable merit release.

The representative, charged with supporting Buddhist institutions, councils, organisations, Sunday schools, teachers, temples and communities, asked WWF to help them understand which species could be released in what locations, so as not to disturb the natural balance of the ecosystem.

Merit release is the act of releasing living beings, usually animals, back into their natural habitat or into the wild as an expression of compassion. It is a practice of loving-kindness aimed at saving living beings that are trapped or threatened so that they may return to live freely in their original habitat.