HIGHLIGHTS
Call for focus on wetlands in 2030 Action Targets
A common language and route to large scale ecosystem restoration
2. Mangroves A net gain of 20% in global mangrove cover by 2030.
The urgent need and opportunity to address the joint bio- diversity and climate crises by restoring nature and natural processes is recognised and there is growing interest to finance Nature-based Solutions at a whole landscape scale. However, the challenge of preparing high-quality proposi- tions for investment can be a barrier to action. In 2021, Wetlands International officially became a supporting partner of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and forged new partnerships to mobilise and upscale action to restore wetland landscapes at scale. Our knowledge and experience in all regions are highly valuable to address this challenge. So, we teamed up with Commonland and the Landscape Finance Lab to set out and launch The 4 Returns Framework for Landscape Restoration: a step by step, systematic approach to bring stakeholders together to transform their landscape for four returns: natural, financial and social returns, and the return of inspiration. This framework offers a common language for landscape regeneration that can help bridge the different sectors and interests in any landscape and enable collaboration for transformation over the long-term. During a launch event on World Environment Day which our CEO moderated, financiers, UN officials, NGOs, government representatives and indigenous leaders gave their backing and heard from those who had tested the approach in different contexts and regions. For more info on the 4 returns framework, visit: https://www.wetlands.org/publications/the-4-returns- framework-for-landscape-restoration/
Wetlands International welcomed the draft Global Biodiversity Framework to guide actions worldwide through 2030 to conserve and restore nature and its essential services to people, and drew attention to the importance of having specific wetlands conservation and restoration targets in achieving the goals set in the new global biodiversity framework of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). With other international organisations, Wetlands International has drawn up proposed targets that should be included in the new global agreement on biodiversity, promoted as part of Nature-based Solutions to climate change, and backed by the UN’s current decade for ecosystem restoration.
3. Rivers and floodplains Remaining free-flowing rivers and floodplains are preserved and river connectivity is enhanced, restoring floodplain ecosystem functionality and area by 2030.
4. Tidal flats A net gain of 10% in the area of tidal flats by 2030.
5. Migratory birds 50% of the estimated 7,000 critically important sites identified along flyways come under favourable management by 2030. For more info on wetland targets, visit: https://www.wetlands.org/news/wetlands-international- welcomes-the-2030-action-targets-and-calls-for-a-focus- on-wetlands/
The 2030 targets we propose for global adoption include:
1. Peatlands The remaining undrained peatland carbon stores remain intact and 10 million hectares of drained peatland are restored by 2030.
Coastal wetlands such as mangroves sequester carbon up to 55 times faster than tropical rainforests
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Wetlands International Annual Review 2021
Wetlands International Annual Review 2021
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