Mr. Gavin Edwards, KH13 (Class of 2011)

Director, Global Nature Positive Initiative,

WWF International

Gavin Edwards is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award (Sustainability). He is the Director of the Global Nature Positive Initiative at WWF International, and based in London. Gavin is a leading global Nature Positive campaign to move nature loss up the global agenda of governments and the private sector, and has worked at senior levels in the world’s most influential and important environmental NGOs for nearly 20 years. He has been a recognized leader and innovator in his field and has made a lasting positive impact on the planet and the environment.

During his time living in Hong Kong, Gavin led a successful campaign to stop the trade in Elephant Ivory, which resulted in the introduction of the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants (Amendment) Ordinance of 2018, banning the import, re-export, and commercial possession of Elephant Ivory. He also launched the Climate Impact Asia Fund and initiated the world’s first engagement with the shipping industry to secure their agreement not to transport Shark Fin.

Gavin’s recent work at WWF has focused on climate change and the protection of nature. He led the implementation of a global strategy to secure a United Nations-level Global Biodiversity Framework agreed by 196 countries, and helped develop Business for Nature and a Task Force for Nature-Related Financial Disclosure. Gavin’s commitment to his work has allowed him to self-fund his programs and campaigns by fundraising more than $13 million from individual donors, mostly from accomplished business leaders.

Gavin’s dedication to protecting the environment, both locally and globally, makes him a deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.