Posted on October, 25 2024

Today, more than 140 organisations and experts are calling on Heads of State and governments to prioritise water and wetlands in efforts to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework and in decisions to be adopted at the UN Biodiversity COP16.

On Forests and Water Day at COP16, the joint letter from NGOs and experts calls on governments to prioritise action on water and wetlands at global and national levels, including implementation, policies, funding, and partnerships in order to halt and reverse nature loss this decade. 

The letter puts forward seven priorities for governments to act on at COP16:

1. As part of the negotiations on synergies between climate and biodiversity, harness the power of wetlands as powerful nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation: from the carbon storage of peatlands, to the flood protection of healthy rivers and floodplains, to the coastal protection of mangroves.
2. Mobilise dedicated finance for wetland conservation and restoration through global level instruments and via national biodiversity finance plans, and consider wetlands in efforts to phase out subsidies that are harmful to nature.
3. Adopt bold and quantifiable national targets and action plans for wetland restoration and protection in NBSAPs, focussing on wetland wildlife hotspots and ecological corridors, such as the flyways of migratory birds and the swimways of migratory fish, and landscape-scale approaches.
4. Monitor progress on inland waters for Goals A and B, and Targets 1, 2 and 3 through disaggregation of the headline indicators by inland waters in national reporting.
5. Address the drivers of wetland loss including unsustainable agriculture, infrastructure development, pollution, and overexploitation.
6. Invest in urban wetlands to make cities liveable, improve water and air quality, reduce heat extremes, and mitigate flooding
7. Embrace synergies with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands to deliver the CBD’s Programme of Work on Inland Waters at global, regional and national levels, including to improve wetland data and share technical guidance, knowledge and expertise, as well as strengthen synergies with the UNFCCC and UNCCD.

Wetlands cover 6% of the Earth’s surface, but they are home to 40% of all known plant and animal species. Just as importantly, wetlands are critical connecting ecosystems, linking different habitats and facilitating the movement of species, including the global flyways of migratory waterbirds and the swimways of migratory fish.

Two years ago, the inclusion of explicit targets for the restoration and protection of inland water ecosystems (Targets 2 and 3) of the Global Biodiversity Framework elevated rivers, lakes and other wetlands to the same level as land and oceans. Today the letter calls for bolder action to harness the power of wetlands to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

Han de Groot, CEO of Wetlands International: “Wetlands are the superheroes of nature and home to 40 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Today we have an unmissable opportunity to restore and conserve mangroves, peatlands, rivers and lakes. We must also tackle the drivers of wetland loss. By stepping up collective action, together we can secure the future of the world’s water-related ecosystems.” 

Sarah Fowler, Chief Executive of WWT: “Wetlands are a solution to the global nature and climate crisis. We need to conserve and restore wetlands like our lives depend on them; because they do.  Water and wetlands need a welcome, indeed demand a vital, seat at the table when implementing the GBF at the global and national level, with bold, quantifiable targets and clear financing pathways for wetland restoration and conservation.”

Mark Smith, Director General of International Water Management Institute: “Wetland conservation, restoration, and wise-use yields a multitude of benefits, enhancing biodiversity, boosting resilience to climate change, and promoting opportunities for better livelihoods. Now is the time for countries to set ambitious national targets and strengthen action for wetland and water management, paving the way to achieving the KMGBF goals.”

Martin Harper, CEO - BirdLife International: “People and nature depend on wetlands for survival and welfare. However, they are in crisis.  We are losing them at a shocking rate, threatening people’s livelihoods and making them more vulnerable to climate change, but also driving declines in species populations. Migratory waterbirds depend on a network of wetlands across each of the great flyways of the world – natural superhighways. Without greater action to protect and restore these irreplaceable sites, we risk losing the wonder of migration and undermining our species’ prosperity.  The time to reinvigorate wetland restoration efforts is now.”

Stu Orr, WWF Global Freshwater Lead: "WWF’s recent living planet report showed that freshwater species have suffered the greatest declines of any biome in the last 70 years. This is the clearest sign of the damage we have done to our freshwater ecosystems. We urgently need to invest in restoring healthy rivers and wetlands to build climate resilience and reconnect our catchments, landscapes and sea-scapes. The world needs to collectively rise to the Freshwater Challenge to tackle our nature and climate crises."

Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of  IUCN: “Wetlands are crucial for species, fresh water and a source of prosperity for many people around the world.  Inland waters are experiencing the greatest loss in biodiversity, therefore it is critical that wetlands are included in NBSAPs to protect, restore, and improve the management of these critically important ecosystems.”