WWF

Dear John,

We're hard at work engaging with policymakers on Capitol Hill. Here's an update on WWF's 2024 key conservation policies.

Reducing Plastic Waste
WWF is pushing for strong global, federal, and state-level action to transform how we produce, recycle, and dispose of plastic. This week, our experts are advocating for legally binding and equitable global agreements that address the entire lifespan of plastic at the fourth round of negotiations for a United Nations-led global treaty in Ottawa. Help amplify their efforts for a global solution to the plastic pollution crisis.

On both federal and state levels, WWF is advocating for bipartisan legislative solutions and increased funding to address plastic pollution, including for reduced reliance on single-use plastics as well as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) measures to ensure that companies creating plastic waste are responsible for reducing their plastic footprint.

Investing in Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation

In early February, the House passed the Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization (WILD) Act which would reauthorize critical US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) conservation programs for five years, including the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. The US Foundation for International Conservation Act, which would help fund public-private partnerships for conservation projects worldwide, advanced through the committee level in both the House and Senate and now awaits floor action.

The House Natural Resources Committee also advanced the Indian Buffalo Management Act, which would create a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to support tribal-led buffalo restoration efforts. WWF is a proud ally in initiatives to restore iconic buffalo to US grasslands, guided and informed by the leadership of Native Nations.

Conserving Forests and Stopping Illegal Trade

We celebrated International Day of Forests in March with support from major food industry partners for the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act, which ensures that US imports of agricultural products are not tied to illegal deforestation. Policies that ensure the products we use every day aren't sourced to forest degradation will help encourage responsible business practices. Ask your member(s) of Congress to support the FOREST Act.

The US also has a historic opportunity to lead at the state level. Last year, New York legislators passed bipartisan legislation that would prevent the state from buying products that contribute to tropical deforestation, which Governor Kathy Hochul ultimately vetoed last December. But the good news is that we now have another opportunity to get this done.

The Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Sustainability (TREES) Act was reintroduced last month in the New York State Legislature with provisions to address the governor's concerns while achieving our shared goals to curb deforestation.