Vision and Mission
The rate of loss and deterioration of wetlands such as lakes, marshes and rivers is accelerating in all regions of the world. We are deeply concerned about the impact of this loss on nature, on people who rely on wetlands for their water, fish and other sustenance, on resilience to extreme weather events, and addressing the challenge of climate change. We believe we can halt and reverse this negative trend.
Our Vision
A world where wetlands are treasured and nurtured for their beauty, the life they support and the resources they provide.
Our Mission
To sustain and restore wetlands, their resources, and biodiversity.
Our Strategy
Until now, the complexity and range of benefits from wetlands, and the difficulties of analysing and valuating their status has precluded the adoption of agreed targets of the kind agreed for forests and some other major ecosystems. But that is changing.
In December 2022, wetlands were included in the targets concerning restoration and conservation of 30% of the planet by 2030 in the Global Biodiversity Framework. This provides the urgent global mandate needed to scale up action on wetlands.
In terms of global wetland targets – which we invite others to adopt and drive towards – Wetlands International proposes global, habitat-based targets, based on the best available science, that reflect the scale of change needed to improve ecological and social resilience. By addressing these targets, actors will be contributing to achieve the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework but also other global targets like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.
We invite partners, wetland scientists and policy makers to work with us to improve, refine and expand this set of targets and to enable their uptake and monitoring. And further, to scope and develop the wetland knowledge platforms which can help enable effective implementation.
