Rapid loss of world's saltmarshes threaten climate change action
The continued loss of saltmarshes is threatening international progress on climate goals, a new report launched this week at the United Nations Ocean Conference has warned, revealing that the extent of the area these vital tidal wetlands once covered has been depleted by more than half in recent decades.
The report – published by WWF and Sky in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Blue Marine Foundation – warns that areas that act as crucial carbon sinks are rapidly being turned into carbon sources contributing to the warming climate crisis.
On top of this, with the rapid depletion of their area coverage, coastal communities are fast losing the natural protections from flooding events that they once provided.
Between 2000 and 2019 alone, the world saw a net saltmarsh loss of 1,435 km2 – an area twice the size of Singapore. This continues to disappear at a rate of 0.28% per year, which is faster than reported for the other blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves and peatlands, and three times faster than forests.
The report shines a light on what we have lost and continue to lose, where the biggest opportunities lie and what needs to change.
It highlights that up to 2 million hectares (20,000 km2) of saltmarsh could be restored globally, unlocking their vast potential as flood defences and powerful carbon sinks – making them one of the most scalable nature-based solutions to the climate crisis available.
Tom Brook, oceans specialist at WWF-UK, said: “Saltmarshes are doing a lot of the heavy lifting for the climate with little recognition. They’ve been reduced to a fraction of their former range – but with the right support, we can turn the tide, and we are now seeing a surge in ambition to protect and restore these coastal habitats.
“These efforts are not just symbolic; they are starting to add up and momentum is building. The next chapter for saltmarshes could be one of recovery and renewal – delivering carbon storage, storm protection, biodiversity and community resilience, all at once.”