Wetlands for Planet and People

A section of wetland dedicated to paddy rice production. Credit: @fredrick

Role of Wetlands

Wetlands are crucial carbon pools, storing as much carbon than other terrestrial ecosystems. While this unique contribution could play a significant role in mitigating climate change at a relatively low cost, worldwide wetlands are experiencing a rapid degradation.

Institutional and governance issues, and call to action

However, in most countries including Uganda, existing wetland governance mechanisms are usually ambiguous, furthering struggles and clashes among competing user groups and actors. When governance fails, 'Tragedy of The Commons' is inevitable. The state, citizens and private users of wetlands both have a cordial role to play in ensuring inclusive governance and shared utilisation of wetlands.

Our response

As Soil Health Action Initiative, through our thematic area Agricultuture and Climate Action we are engaging actors towards the realignment of practices, policies, institutions and governance for a renewed wetlands stewardship.