Wetlands are in global decline

Since 1970, an estimated 411 million hectares of wetlands — approximately 22% of the global total — have been lost, with an ongoing annual decline of 0.52%.

Degradation now rivals outright loss. Around 25% of the remaining wetlands are in poor ecological condition, and this proportion is increasing in all regions.

Multiple interacting pressures, including agricultural expansion, pollution, infrastructure development, hydrological disruption and the impacts of climate change, are making restoration more complex and urgent.

 

Wetlands offer unparalleled benefits to biodiversity, the climate, water resources and human health. They regulate floods, store carbon, purify water and support food security for billions of people.

When managed effectively, the remaining 1.4 billion hectares of wetlands deliver ecosystem services worth up to $39 trillion annually — more than any other type of ecosystem. Investing in wetlands is investing in our shared future.

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Wetlands are vital allies in the fight against climate change and disaster risk

Peatlands store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, yet many are degraded and now emit greenhouse gases rather than storing them. Coastal wetlands, such as mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes, sequester carbon rapidly and buffer coastlines from rising sea levels and storm surges.

Restoring and protecting these 'blue carbon' ecosystems is a powerful, nature-based way to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Inland wetlands, including rivers, lakes and marshes, regulate water flows to help prevent flooding and sustain water supplies during droughts.

Without urgent investment in these systems, climate goals will remain out of reach.

 

The Global Wetland Outlook 2025 provides an evidence-based overview of the current status and trends relating to the world’s wetlands, as well as their value. Its purpose is to inform policy and planning, guide investment, and support coordinated action to conserve and restore these critical natural ecosystems.

 
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