Fiskars Group supports WWF's work to protect biodiversity in the Greater Mekong region
Fiskars Group
Press release
December 16, 2020, at 09:00 EET
Fiskars Group supports WWF's work to protect biodiversity in the Greater Mekong region
Fiskars Group supports WWF to protect biodiversity through the Greater Mekong region's conservation in Southeast Asia.
Over the years, nature has been the inspiration for many talented designers of Fiskars Group and provided materials for the iconic products. It has been the first step – the spark for creativity beyond imagination. Fiskars Group's focus on sustainability and the vision of creating a positive, lasting impact on our quality of life allow the company to take meaningful action and give back to nature. That is why Fiskars Group supports WWF in their efforts to protect and preserve nature in the Greater Mekong region and donates 50 000 € for work in the area. Environmental factors, including deforestation and the trade and consumption of wildlife, are driving the emergence of pandemics like COVID-19.
"The initiative to collaborate with WWF came from our employees. The wellbeing and biodiversity of nature came up as we considered ways to participate in the work to reduce the risk of pandemics. We want to support WWF's efforts in protecting biodiversity. As a company, we want to be part of the global fight against future pandemics and follow our company's vision to create a positive, lasting impact on our quality of life", said Leni Valsta, Vice President, Sustainability at Fiskars Group.
The Greater Mekong region in Southeast Asia is globally one of the most critical areas to preserve. The region's forests spread across six countries – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and China – and are among the most biologically diverse places on Earth. These forests are also crucial for human wellbeing providing food, water, and energy for local communities and play an important role in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Tropical forests naturally host millions of species that carry pathogens, which is not a problem for humans if there is enough habitat for these animals to stay a safe distance from civilization. With WWF offices in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, the WWF Greater Mekong program works with local communities, government, industry, and civil society partners to secure a future where people's daily actions support biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources.
"The galloping loss of forests and other natural ecosystems in regions around the world exacerbates the risk of pandemics and accelerates climate change and the loss of nature. To reduce the risk of future zoonotic outbreaks, WWF Greater Mekong is working with regional and national governments, as well as civil society and private sector partners to protect forest habitats and the wildlife within them and to end the illegal wildlife trade", said Alistair Monument, Conservation Impact Director, Asia Pacific, at WWF International.
"The collaboration with Fiskars Group supports us in continuing our decades-long conservation efforts to support the biodiversity of nature", said Liisa Rohweder, Secretary General at WWF Finland.
Earlier this year, Fiskars Group announced a collaboration with WWF in Finland to support Finnish nature's biodiversity and preserve and improve natural ecosystems. During the partnership, a part of the business-to-business sales of Fiskars Recycled Scissors and Iittala Design Recycled glass collection items will be donated to WWF Finland for the conservation of biodiversity in Finland. The collaboration consists of voluntary work events, which are a concrete way to protect biodiversity in the country while increasing awareness of the importance of biodiversity for the planet's wellbeing.
Media contacts:
More information on WWF Greater Mekong project: https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/our_focus/forests_practice/deforestation_fronts2/deforestation_in_greater_mekong/
Jenni Marsio
Communications Manager
Fiskars Group
+358 45 636 0400
jenni.marsio@fiskars.com
Juuso Lautiainen
Partnership Manager
WWF Finland
+358 45 188 4648
juuso.lautiainen@wwf.fi
Making the everyday extraordinary
Fiskars Group's vision is to create a positive, lasting impact on our quality of life. Our brands Fiskars, Gerber, Iittala, Royal Copenhagen, Waterford, and Wedgwood are present in people's everyday lives – at home, in the garden, and outdoors. This gives us an opportunity to make the everyday extraordinary today, and for future generations. We have a presence in 30 countries, and our products are available in more than 100 countries. Our shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (FSKRS). Please visit us at www.fiskarsgroup.com for more information and follow us on Twitter @fiskarsgroup.
WWF
WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. Please visit at www.wwf.panda.org for more information.