WWF's social policies guide the integration of social dimensions in our conservation work as well as in the institutional structure of our global network.

WWF's Statement of Principles on Indigenous Peoples and Conservation was drafted in 1996 and updated in 2008. It reflects our dedication to respecting indigenous and traditional peoples' human and development rights and recognizes the importance of conserving their cultures.

WWF’s Policy on Poverty and Conservation was adopted in 2009. It reaffirms WWF’s commitment to embrace a pro-poor approach to conservation to strive to find equitable solutions for people and the environment and enable local people to play a key part in sustainable development.

WWF signed the Conservation Initiative on Human Rights Framework in 2009. The Framework states WWF’s commitment to respect human rights and to promote rights within the scope of conservation initiatives

WWF adopted its Gender Policy in 2011. This policy reflects WWF’s ongoing commitment to equity and integrating a gender perspective in its policies, programmes, and projects, as well as in its own institutional structure.

Safeguards play a vital role in achieving WWF’s vision. They guide how we engage local communities to plan and manage our work to improve and protect their lives, rights and livelihoods while conserving nature and wildlife. In 2019, the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) was adopted by the entire WWF Network as a common set of standards to identify, avoid and mitigate any negative social and environmental impacts within our work.

In 2018, WWF-Malaysia established a mechanism to receive and respond to concerns raised by stakeholders who may be affected by WWF-supported conservation activities as a key means to strengthen implementation of WWF’s Social Policies and Safeguards.

WWF-Malaysia works with indigenous and local communities as key partners who play an important role in environmental protection. Our goal is to achieve more inclusive, equitable and sustainable conservation outcomes.