Restoring Wetlands and Lakes for Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in 10 Countries

Challenge

Wetlands and lakes face severe degradation from urban expansion, pollution, and climate change, with 85% of these ecosystems lost or degraded. 

Solution

Restore lakes and wetlands through sustainable farming, youth training, ecosystem restoration, and community action across 10 countries. 

Overview

The Global Nature Fund (GNF) launched the Living Lakes Biodiversity and Climate Project in August 2022 to address the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Wetlands and lakes act as natural water filters, flood regulators, and carbon reservoirs, yet 85% of these ecosystems have vanished or suffered severe degradation due to urban expansion, unsustainable agriculture, pollution, and climate change (UNEP, 2022). This degradation accelerates species extinction and releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, weakening climate resilience and disrupting ecosystems that support millions of people and wildlife worldwide.

The project runs over five years across 10 countries – India, Cambodia, Colombia, Malawi, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Philippines – aiming to protect and restore 13 lakes and wetlands.

Its four initiatives include: 

• Sustainable agriculture and fishing: Training more than 1,500 farmers and fishers in sustainable agriculture and fishing techniques to reduce environmental impact.
• Youth engagement: Educating more than 400 young people to become lake managers, equipping them with skills in wetland management and conservation.
• Ecosystem restoration: Restoring nearly 1,000 hectares of wetlands and integrating them into official management plans to ensure long-term protection.
• Collective action: Partnering with local communities and authorities to develop and implement management strategies tailored to each ecosystem. Local communities receive training and resources to build a sense of ownership and responsibility towards their natural habitats.

Country examples 

The project operates across diverse ecological and social contexts. In India’s Bhitarkanika National Park, the project focuses on creating biodiversity-friendly business models for ecotourism and addressing pollution from uncontrolled waste disposal. The park’s wetlands support a range of species and serve as a test case for integrating conservation with community livelihoods.

In Malawi, efforts center on promoting sustainable aquaculture to combat overfishing in Lake Malawi, one of Africa’s largest lakes and a major biodiversity hotspot. In the Philippines, the installation of green filters – constructed wetlands designed to treat wastewater – is improving water quality in the Paligui wetlands and demonstrating how nature-based engineering can address pollution at scale.

Results to date 

The project has made progress across three areas since its launch:

• Biodiversity: A resurgence of native flora and fauna in restored wetlands indicates a positive trend in biodiversity.
• Climate mitigation: Wetland restoration has improved carbon sequestration, contributing to global climate efforts.
• Policy influence: Collaboration with governmental bodies has helped incorporate sustainable practices and conservation efforts into official policies and management plans, supporting the long-term protection of restored wetlands.

Future directions

The project outlines four areas for future work:

• Scaling up: Expanding successful models to additional regions and ecosystems to amplify the project’s reach and positive impact on wetland conservation.
• Continuous monitoring: Implementing robust monitoring systems to track ecological changes over time and ensure the longevity and effectiveness of restoration efforts.
• Policy advocacy: Engaging in advocacy to promote the integration of nature-based solutions into national and international climate strategies.
• Global collaboration: Building international partnerships to share knowledge, resources, and best practices in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss across different regions and ecosystems.

Acknowledgements

This report is based on publicly available information from the Global Nature Fund and Living Lakes websites. Acknowledgement is given to the organizations and researchers that made this knowledge accessible. Reported by IGES, edited and updated by AP-PLAT. 

Related Links / References

• Global Nature Fund (2025) Biodiversity & Climate 
  https://globalnature.org/en/project/biodiversity-climate-protection-through-living-lakes/
•  Living Lakes, Deepor Beel (India) 
  https://livinglakes.org/deepor-beel/
• UNEP (2022), Wetlands: the unsung heroes of the planet 
  https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/wetlands-unsung-heroes-planet