Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests, despite their vital role in biodiversity conservation and climate regulation. Their contribution to climate change mitigation is often underestimated in policies, while limited data and complex management make coordinated conservation efforts difficult.
To address these challenges, the LIFE WETLANDS4CLIMATE project developed management guidelines to maximise the carbon sink potential of Mediterranean wetlands. It engaged the private sector, aligned wetland management with EU climate objectives, and transferred proven methodologies and best practices to public land managers across Europe.
The project established a strong scientific baseline, implemented soil management on nearly 2.5 ha, mitigating approximately 25 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, and strengthened stakeholder collaboration, demonstrating that wetlands support biodiversity and reinforcing their role in achieving EU climate and conservation targets.
