WWF today awarded Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett the prestigious Leaders for a Living Planet award, in recognition of significant commitments to the expansion and enhancement of Australia’s protected areas.
The award, presented to Minister Garrett at the opening of the Healthy Parks, Healthy People Congress at the Melbourne Convention Centre, is one of the highest honours given to individuals by the global conservation organisation.
"Through programs such as Reef Rescue and the National Reserve System, Minister Garrett’s commitments to protected areas represent major progress towards the establishment of a safety net for Australiaâs wildlife," said Greg Bourne, WWF-Australia CEO.
"They also promise real economic benefits in terms of tourism, clean water, clean air and climate mitigation. "In addition, increased funding for Indigenous Protected Areas and ranger programs promise significant improvements in health and wellbeing for Indigenous communities.
"This award recognises that conservation is more than a portfolio for Minister Garrett. Instead, it has been a lifetime commitment."
Mr Bourne presented the award certificate and letter to Minister Garrett on behalf of WWF-International Director General Jim Leape.
Minister Garrett is the first Australian recipient of a Leaders for a Living Planet award, which has been awarded to over 50 government and non-government conservation leader since 2002, recognising a wide variety of initiatives. Recent recipients include Nepal’s Climate-For-Life Ambassadors Apa and Dawa Sherpa.
Specific commitments made by Minister Garrett recognised by the Award include:
- $200 million to reduce pollution affecting the Great Barrier Reef.
- $180 million to expand the area protected within the National Reserve System.
- $50 million for Indigenous Protected Areas, $90 million for Indigenous ranger programs and $10 million to support Indigenous participation in emerging carbon markets.
- A target to expand protected areas to at least 125 million hectares (a 25 per cent increase) by 2013.
- A renewed national strategy for the National Reserve System that focuses on protecting critical habitats and the viability of species and ecological communities threatened by climate change by 2030.
- Progress on national marine protected areas including a new conservation zone over the Coral Sea.