Natural world heritage sites at risk from mining and exploration activities

Safeguarding Outstanding Natural Value, a report published by the World Wildlife Fund in September 2015 makes for grim reading for anyone concerned with the state of health of the 229 natural world heritage sites around the world.

Of particular concern to WWF is the impact of commercial mining and oil and gas drilling in the vicinity of such sites, causing significant and often irreparable damage. Seeking the attention of financial institutions and investors in particular, the report describes the extent of the risk facing sites as diverse as the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System in the Caribbean and the Doñana National Park in Southern Spain.