The WWF is run at a local level by the following offices...

OUR History

We are WWF

Founded in 1961 in Switzerland, WWF is one of the world’s most recognisable and respected independent conservation organisations. In 1981, WWF-Hong Kong was established with a mission to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans thrive with nature.

Did you know?

While continuing to use its well-known acronym, WWF's name changed in 1986 from the World Wildlife Fund to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

BEGINNINGS

Founded in 1981, WWF-Hong Kong is an integral part of the WWF global network. Our work began with managing Mai Po Nature Reserve and conserving iconic species. Over the years, we have expanded our mission to better serve Hong Kong’s conservation and education needs and align ourselves with WWF’s global strategy.

1980s

1981	WWF establishes office in Hong Kong
1984	WWF assumes management of Mai Po Nature Reserve; Inaugural Big Bird Race to fund gei wai restoration
1985	Launch of Mai Po school programmes, laying the foundation for our Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Programme.
1986	Island House comes under WWF management operating as a Conservation Studies Centre
1988	Hoi Ha Wan Committee set up, marking 8-year campaign to establish Hong Kong’s marine parks.

1990s

1992	Inaugural Walk for Nature, which continues to attract 3,000 participants annually to promote our work in Mai Po Nature Reserve.
1995	Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay designated a "Wetland of International Importance" under the Ramsar Convention.
1996	Hoi Ha Wan becomes first of 3 marine parks set up with WWF input

2000s

2000	Corporate Membership Programme set up to enlist business to adopt sustainable practices.
2003	Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre, Asia’s “First Classroom on the Sea” established to promote marine conservation and education
2007	Hong Kong-specific Carbon Footprint calculator launched to enlist people to help tackle climate change. East Asia’s first Seafood Guide published to help consumers choose sustainable seafood
2008	Save Our Seas petition garners 60,000 signatures calling for effective marine conservation measures and sustainable fisheries management
2009	Earth Hour launches in Hong Kong, 3 million people take part together with hundreds of private and public-sector groups

2010s

2010	Joint campaign for government action to tackle eco-vandalism in Tai Long Sai Wan leads to designation as country park area
2012	Years of WWF advocacy work leads to a trawling ban in Hong Kong waters
2014	Riding on the 2012 plastic pellet clean-up action Coastal Watch programme is launched to tackle plastic marine litter
2017	Results of 2-year Mai Po biodiversity survey reveal record 2,050+ species living in Mai Po & Inner Deep Bay Ramsar site

2018

Phase-out of domestic ivory trade passes in Legco following our Ivory Ban campaign

A Feed-in Tariff and Renewable Energy Certificates to promote small-scale solar energy system installations is introduced to attract investors to the local renewable energy market.

As part of helping businesses go low-carbon, we partner with HSBC to launch “Making Zero Impact Fashionable” to influence the fashion industry towards sustainability.

Our Environmental Finance team publishes Climate Primer to help institutional

Looking Ahead

Since One Planet Youth launched in 2017 some 900 youths, to date, have signed up to play an active role in conservation

Campaign to save PRD’s Chinese white dolphin enters new phase with call to set up a CWD conservation management area

Mai Po upgrade project underway with the scheduled opening of a new Education Centre in 2021 for a 21st century nature classroom

COVID19 pandemic adds urgency to wildlife market closure with the kickoff of a regionwide campaign to shut illegal wildlife markets across Asia

Work proceeds towards creating a resilient Mai Po amid the climate crisis to ensure wetlands are protected from flooding

Island House to unveil Solar Dome in 2021, showcasing sustainability and local biodiversity through use of solar panel to power native species greenhouse.

"The human argument for conserving nature is getting stronger and so is the opportunity to value nature at the heart of our society and economy: our New Deal for Nature and People."

Marco Lambertini, WWF Director General

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