The critical role of wetlands for climate and biodiversity

Under the Ramsar Convention, almost all countries in the world have committed themselves to conserving and promoting the sustainable use of wetlands of international importance. In their decisions, Parties increasingly emphasise the importance of wetlands in achieving global environmental goals and their central role in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 Agenda. Wetlands are recognised as cost-effective nature-based solutions that can contribute to both greenhouse gas mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Their key role in water security, water quality and disaster risk reduction is also highlighted.

A recurring theme in the consultations of the Parties is also the need to further integrate the protection, restoration and sustainable use of wetlands into national strategies. At the same time, it is emphasised that many wetlands link ecological processes across administrative and national boundaries, and that regional and transboundary approaches are therefore essential for effective implementation.

Germany is internationally committed to the conservation, restoration, networking and sustainable management of wetlands. A central pillar of this commitment is the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety is currently funding 36 wetland-related projects under the IKI with a total of more than €390 million. The projects make an important contribution to climate action, adaptation to climate change and the conservation of biodiversity, particularly through nature-based solutions.

The IKI projects address wetland conservation with different emphases and methodological approaches. A particular focus is on ecosystem-based adaptation measures in water catchments worldwide. The projects cover a wide range of habitats – from wet meadows, peatlands and swamps, floodplains and lakes to coastal ecosystems such as salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass beds.

The IKI project “Climate Resilience for Critical Sites for Migratory Birds and People along the East Atlantic Flyway“ aims to protect coastal and wetland areas in eleven countries along the west coast of the African continent. These areas are part of the East Atlantic Migratory Bird Route, which links breeding areas in the Arctic with resting and wintering areas on the coasts of Europe and Africa. The project focuses on cross-border, coordinated planning and management of coastal and wetland areas along the route.