Mondi and WWF extend their partnership with the Mondi Wetlands Programme
Wetlands manage water - the essence of life on earth and South Africa’s most precious natural resource
Today, Mondi and WWF, the conservation organisation, signed an agreement to extend their partnership with the Mondi Wetlands Programme (MWP) for another five years. Mondi has already been involved in the programme for seven years and has confirmed its commitment to the wise-use and rehabilitation of South Africa’s wetlands through a contribution of R20 million and continued partnership with WWF and the MWP. The MWP was established in 1991 and is a key component of WWF’s Freshwater Programme. The programme is implemented by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).
“The collaboration between Mondi and the Mondi Wetlands Programme has been a long standing and successful partnership,” says Ron Traill, CEO of Mondi’s South Africa Division. “Serving as a catalyst for change, the programme encourages and inspires others to become involved in wetland conservation forging further partnerships with government and other organisations to spread the wetland workload.”
The MWP develops relationships with communities, government and other organisations in order to have a permanent impact on the conservation of South African wetlands. The programme is involved in the wise-use and rehabilitation of wetlands with the clear focus of building wetland management competence and accountability amongst the many stakeholders to tackle this issue effectively.
“Mondi was the first corporate landowner in South Africa to recognise the importance of managing their wetlands wisely. Mondi therefore actively established a working partnership with the Mondi Wetlands Programme as far back as 1996, and together we have achieved results that we are truly proud of,” says David Lindley, Programme Manager at MWP. “Understanding the value of wetlands and how to manage them in a responsible way requires expert knowledge and we provide companies, wetland users and land owners with skills to manage this water resource wisely.”
“The sustainability of South Africa’s water supply is not only imperative for environmental conservation, but also to South Africa’s economy” says Dr Morné Du Plessis, CEO of WWF in South Africa. “South African businesses require natural resources but with the present rate of water production and consumption, South Africa will not have sufficient freshwater supply to meet the rising demand by 2025”.
Traill adds, “Mondi’s business relies heavily on the protection of this water source, so it seemed counterintuitive to dismiss the rapidly diminishing wetlands as someone else’s problem when our future as an international business depends upon it”.
The signing took place today at the Gilboa Wetlands in KwaZulu-Natal, during a journalist tour of the site.
About Wetlands:
Water is the very essence of life on earth, and South Africa’s most precious natural resource. At our present rate of water production and consumption, South Africa will simply not have sufficient freshwater supplies to meet the rising demand by 2025. Wetlands play a crucial role in managing, at no cost, what little water we receive. Wetlands are therefore of a national importance for the functions they perform of water purification, storage, recharging of underground aquifers and streamflow regulation. They are of a further national importance for their control of erosion, flood attenuation and biodiversity value.
Over 70% of all wetlands are on privately owned land and ignorance and poor land management have resulted in around 55% of all South African wetlands being significantly impacted upon.
This continued destruction of our wetlands will result in the disappearance of these priceless wetland functions and values. This will result in South Africa having less pure water, less reliable water supplies, increased flooding, lower agricultural productivity, and more endangered species. For this reason WESSA and WWF decided in 1991 to initiate a programme to catalyse the rehabilitation of degraded wetlands and the wise-use and conservation of wetland resources.
Since its launch, the MWP has been the most successful non-governmental wetland conservation project in South Africa, and is recognised internationally by its partner organisations as pioneering wetland conservation. In addition to the main sponsor Mondi, the Mazda Wildlife Fund is also a co-sponsor of the MWP.
For more details, please see the attached facts & figures document.
About Mondi:
Mondi is an international paper and packaging group and in 2007 had revenues of €6.3 billion. Its key operations and interests are in western Europe, emerging Europe, Russia and South Africa.
The Group is principally involved in the manufacture of packaging paper and converted packaging products; uncoated fine paper; and speciality products and processes, including coating, release liner and consumer flexibles.
Mondi is fully integrated across the paper and packaging process, from the growing of wood and manufacture of pulp and paper (including recycled materials) to the converting of packaging papers into corrugated packaging and industrial bags.
Mondi has production operations across 35 countries and had an average of 35,000 employees in 2007.
About WWF:
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations. Founded in 1961, there is a network of offices in close to 100 countries, supported by nearly five million people.
Since its founding in 1968, by Dr Anton Rupert, WWF-SA has been dedicated to conserving South Africa’s natural heritage, ensuring that through a collective custodianship South Africa’s unique biodiversity is conserved for generations to come.
Visit www.wwf.org.za for more information.
Last change: 25/06/2008