Healthy, ecologically functioning wetlands are a key delivery mechanism for global commitments, including those relating to biodiversity, sustainable development, land degradation, climate change and disaster risk reduction. They are also a vital for human survival. They provide food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower; they mitigate floods, protect coastlines and build community resilience to disasters, and they play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people. Yet policy and decision-makers often underestimate the value of their benefits to nature and humankind.
The Global Wetland Outlook examines the state and trends of wetlands. It reviews the drivers of wetland loss and degradation, identifies knowledge gaps, highlights successes and best practices, and outlines responses for the wetland community and other sectors to maintain or restore the ecological character of the world's wetlands, including:
This TEEB for Water and Wetlands report underlines the fundamental importance of wetlands in the water cycle and in addressing water objectives reflected in the Rio+20 agreement, the Millennium Development Goals and forthcoming post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals.
Smoke on Water – Countering Global Threats From Peatland Loss and Degradation is a Rapid Response Assessment that looks at peatland location, extent, threats and the policies to manage and protect them.