Yara in environmental partnership with WWF Norway

(2008-05-15) Yara International and WWF Norway (World Wide Fund for Nature) have agreed to work together to promote environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture. The Partnership agreement will initially run for two years, from 2008 through 2009.

Yara's business is based on the production of mineral fertilizers, and the central aim of the partnership is to develop ways that Yara and WWF can work together. The agreement reflects WWFs recognition of Yara's environmental policy and commitment, and Yara’s support to WWFs work for environmental change.

"We hope this agreement will result in an informative dialog with WWF regarding environmental issues of special relevance to Yara. Environmental conservation is a key concern in all Yara activities and we want to have a proactive approach that can strengthen our performance in this vital arena," says Arne Cartridge, Senior Vice President of Yara International ASA.

Arne Cartridge, Senior Vice President of Yara International ASA

The agreement gives Yara access to world-class experts in the areas of protecting biodiversity and finding forward thinking solutions to stop global warming.

"We are looking forward to work with Yara to achieve conservation of globally unique biological diversity in countries and regions where both WWF and Yara have a significant presence, and to promote sustainable agriculture and livelihoods for poor people," says secretary general Rasmus Hansson of WWF Norway.

Common objectives for the cooperation include minimizing the climate change impact from mineral fertilizer production and use, and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in regions where both WWF and Yara have a significant presence.

Rasmus Hansson, Secretary general of WWF Norway. (PHOTO: © WWF Norway)

The partnership will support international efforts, including common research, field projects, studies and scientific advice on core environmental issues. Besides funding WWF Norway activities, Yara is also prepared to co-fund WWF projects with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) in 2008.

The partners plan to hold an annual joint learning session to optimize the benefits both sides can provide. Discussions here can develop ways to focus on issues such as climate change, Corporate Citizenship and reporting, and planned projects in Africa.