Topic: 2025-Conserving Wetlands
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Mira Jayaraman
Wetlands are essential ecosystems to the world that regulate water systems, prevent flooding, store carbon, and support biodiversity. Peatlands, wetlands that store carbon, contain twice as much carbon as the world’s forests while covering only 3% of Earth’s surface. According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, 35% of wetlands have been lost since 1970 due to human activity and climate change.
The IUCN, established in 1948 by UNESCO, works with more than 170 governments and organizations to promote conservation, collaborating on agreements such as the Ramsar Convention and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in 2023. However, despite various international efforts, wetland degradation is continuing, requiring stronger global action.
Germany is a very strong advocate for wetland conservation. As a signatory of the Ramsar Convention (1971), Germany integrates wetland protection into national policies such as the National Peatland Protection Strategy, which aims to restore 50,000 hectares of peatlands by 2030.
Germany also supports sustainable agriculture and pollution reduction through agendas like Agri-Environment Measures (voluntary programs that encourage farmers to improve the environment on their land). Globally, Germany contributes six billion euros to climate and biodiversity protection and funds initiatives such as the Global Environment Facility (a fund that provides grants to projects relating to sustainability and the environment).
Through Germany’s support of stronger wetland conservation, Germany calls for stronger international action, especially in three key areas. First, sustainable land management is essential to prevent degradation. Incentivizing farmers to adopt wetland-friendly practices, which aligns with Germany’s conservation-focused agricultural policies, will help protect and restore these ecosystems. Second, peatland restoration is a priority, and Germany calls for expanding initiatives to improve carbon sequestration and biodiversity. Finally, increased funding and technical support are crucial for effective conservation. Germany seeks to boost international investments, particularly in developing nations, through mechanisms like the Global Environment Facility.
Wetlands are some of the most significant ecosystems to the environment, and Germany urges ICUN members to adopt these strategies and policies that balance environmental protection with sustainable development.
BMEL (2022). “Agri-Environment Measures: Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation.”
BMUV (2021). “National Peatland Protection Strategy.”
GEF (2022). “Investing in Wetlands for Global Environmental Benefits.”
German Federal Government (2023). “Germany’s Climate and Biodiversity Funding Commitments.”
IUCN (2023). “The Role of IUCN in Global Wetland Conservation.”
IPBES (2019). “Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.”
UNEP (2021). “Peatlands: The World’s Carbon Vaults.”
