Two activist groups that successfully stopped seismic testing off the Wild Coast and a well-known philanthropist couple were honoured at the 2024 WWF Living Planet Award for their contributions to empowering people and preserving the planet.
Cape Town, South Africa (12 November 2024) — In a world often marked by environmental degradation and social injustice, the 2024 WWF Living Planet Award spotlights extraordinary individuals and organisations that are making a difference.
This year’s recipients, the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), Sustaining the Wild Coast (SWC), and the philanthropic couple Pamela and Neville Isdell, embody the spirit of conservation and community empowerment.
Defenders of the Wild Coast, the ACC and the SWC have faced intense pressure in fighting the threat of proposed titanium mining in the community, the rerouting of the N2 highway along the coast as well as bravely amplifying the voices of the Amadiba people in the Eastern Cape, who are determined to protect their land from destruction in a highly volatile environment.
The WWF acknowledged both the ACC and SWC for their unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable use and community well-being. They were particularly recognised for their recent legal actions that successfully halted seismic testing for oil and gas off the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape.
The court found that the government had failed to consider the potential harm to local fishermen’s livelihoods, the impact on Mpondo cultural and spiritual rights, and the contribution of gas and oil exploitation to climate change.
This action saw the two organisations assert the rights of local communities to safeguard the marine resources they depend on along with their cultural heritage and belief system in a particularly biodiverse and beautiful part of the South African coastline.
Renowned philanthropists Pamela and Neville Isdell were honoured for their conservation contributions in the WFF’s individual category.
The couple has dedicated their lives to conservation and social justice. Their generous support has enabled WWF South Africa to undertake groundbreaking initiatives.
After his retirement from the corporate world, Neville was Chair of the WWF US board for over a decade and also served as President of the WWF global network. He is still presently involved in WWF in the United States and sits on the board of the Peace Parks Foundation.
Together, Pamela and Neville Isdell were early supporters of WWF South Africa, offering generous grants to the organisation’s work in the Grasslands Biome, which has now matured into the development of a new Grasslands National Park in the Eastern Cape.
In the last six years, the Isdells have been closely involved in supporting the WWF’s many initiatives to safeguard the botanical and natural treasures and the implementation of finance solutions at their point of impact on natural landscapes across Africa.
The efforts and contributions of the ACC, SWC and the Isdells easily inspire us to take action, to protect our planet, and to create a more sustainable future for all.
Commending their contribution towards people and the planet, WWF CEO Dr Morné du Plessis said:
“The Amadiba Crisis Committee and Sustaining the Wild Coast have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and courage under fire. United, they brought broader legal recognition of the cultural and spiritual rights of South African indigenous communities that seek to protect their environments.”
“As a couple, the Isdells are passionate about catalysing new work in the conservation space and have been true visionaries in recognising that innovative finance solutions need to be developed to support that work over the long term. We commend them for their substantial efforts in this regard and their deep-rooted affection for Africa’s natural heritage.”
Sources: WWF South Africa
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