Ecosystem restoration is one of the main pillars of the Icelandic government’s efforts to address climate change. Wetlands play a particularly important role in this regard, making it fitting to highlight their value on World Wetlands Day, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 30 August 2021.

• The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that since the Industrial Revolution, nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been degraded, and that wetlands are currently being lost at a faster rate than forests.

• World Wetlands Day aims to draw global attention to this challenge and encourage action to reverse the trend.

Iceland can make a meaningful contribution to these efforts, as extensive areas of wetlands were drained in the country during the last century. In many areas, agricultural activity has since declined or ceased altogether, creating opportunities to restore drained land back to wetland ecosystems, with all the associated benefits. Wetland restoration reduces carbon dioxide emissions from land and creates valuable ecosystems that support birdlife and foster rich biodiversity.

For Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation

In September, Jóhann Páll Jóhannsson, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate, presented the government’s priority projects in climate action. Among other things, the Minister reported that he had received proposals from Land and Forest Iceland, developed in cooperation with the State Property Management Agency, identifying carefully selected areas where work could begin. Progress on these plans is ongoing, and further announcements are expected soon regarding which state-owned lands will be prioritised for restoration as early as this summer, as well as plans for the coming years.

• The government’s objective with these initiatives is to change land use on state-owned land in support of climate goals and the conservation of biological diversity.

Why Wetlands?

On World Wetlands Day, it is appropriate to reiterate the key benefits of wetland restoration:

• Wetland restoration supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 13 on Climate Action, Goal 14 on Life Below Water, and Goal 15 on Life on Land.

• It is one of the most cost-effective climate measures available in Iceland, in terms of emissions reductions achieved per unit of investment.

• It protects and enhances biodiversity.

• It increases ecosystem resilience.

• It improves water regulation.

• It helps reduce natural hazards such as droughts and flooding.

Happy World Wetlands Day!

Official website of the World Wetlands Day