The UK needs bold plans to tackle the climate, nature and social crises. Wetlands present a powerful, cost-effective solution to all of these challenges.
Wetlands are carbon-sinking, water-purifying, flood-busting, nature-reviving ecosystems. By realising these benefits at least £8 billion in potential benefits can be unlocked.
Wetlands are fast-acting and are one of the most cost-effective nature-based solutions. For every £1 invested, freshwater wetlands deliver up to £9 of benefit in return. That’s why we call them the master problem-solvers of the natural world. Yet, more than 75% of the UK’s inland wetland areas have been destroyed in the last 300 years.
WWT are calling for the creation of 100,000 hectares of new and restored wetlands in the UK by 2050 to make a real difference in achieving the government’s 25-Year Environment Plan.
WWT has used national data to create Wetland Potential Maps, highlighting extensive areas across the UK that would benefit from wetland creation or restoration. These maps combine a range of data sources, from flood risk and sewage dumping sites to areas of economic deprivation, to identify places where restored or newly created wetlands could have maximum impact. These maps have been created for users to explore the potential for wetlands to help reduce flooding, improve water quality, enhance urban wellbeing or store carbon.
The maps should be used for looking at the strategic potential for wetland solutions over a broad area – both nationally and regionally – and as part of initial scoping for potential areas of focus. They’re already being used to inform a number of local nature recovery strategies in England.
