PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Wetlands are disappearing three times faster than forests. Policies, plans and programmes have underestimated their functions and little information has been recorded to develop an adequate register of their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; the complexity inherent in the management of these ecosystems is likely the main barrier. . Traditionally, wetlands have traditionally been considered as net emitters of GHGs, however, recent studies have shown that this is not always the case, at least in coastal and salt lagoons and wetlands. This opens a new scenario in which wetlands conservation not only contributes to biodiversity conservation but also serves as a tool to mitigate climate change.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of LIFE WETLANDS4CLIMATE was to establish management guidelines for Mediterranean wetlands so that they function as carbon sinks, while maintaining their ecological integrity and functionality to provide the full range of their inherent ecosystem services.
The project’s specific objectives were to:
- Maximise the carbon sink function of Mediterranean wetlands through practical management actions and monitoring indicators, to demonstrate that such management is aligned with biodiversity conservation;
- Transfer lessons learned to other Mediterranean wetlands in Spain and Europe;
- Transfer the tools to public land managers (local, regional and European bodies) as well as measures, best practices and lessons learned;
- Replicate the methodology across other wetlands in Europe;
- Involve the private sector in financing mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change focused on water and wetland management;
- Contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement through better management and conservation of wetlands in the EU; and
- Integrate wetland management and conservation with the EU's objectives and orientated climate change mitigation.
The project was directly relevant to the EU's climate change policy objective of at least a 40% reduction in GHG emissions, compared with 1990, by 2030; the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 objective of restoring degraded and carbon-rich ecosystems; and LULUF (Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry) policy by providing a methodology to quantify GHG emissions and promoting the carbon sink function of wetlands. It was also in line with the EU Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive and Birds Directive objectives of restoring wetlands, for their ecosystem’s services, habitats and species; as well as the global Aichi biodiversity target 15 on ecosystem resilience and carbon reserves.
RESULTS
The project achieved the following results:
- Stakeholder engagement and preparation: successful engagement of stakeholders through 22 meetings and the creation of a Steering Committee with national, regional and local authorities. Permissions for fieldwork were obtained, and wetlands were ecologically characterised. Sampling protocols for carbon flux and greenhouse gas (GHG) measurements were established, ensuring scientific rigor. Communication actions achieved impactful dissemination, with over 42 press releases, extensive social media engagement and a website attracting 21 505 unique visitors and 172 525 interactions, significantly raising awareness about wetland conservation and climate change mitigation, amplifying project visibility across diverse audiences.
- Management actions: the project established a robust baseline for carbon cycle processes and ecological indicators across 285 plots in 10 pilot wetlands, enabling precise assessment of management impacts. It provided critical data on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon flux and ecological conditions, forming the foundation for evaluating restoration strategies. Vegetation Management was carried out over 110 ha of helophytic vegetation, (which were mown and grazing tested with livestock) and 2 992 aquatic plants were revegetated. These actions mitigated 1 898.55 t CO2eq (mowing) and 1 873.16 t CO2eq (grazing) while improving the biodiversity and habitat conservation status of different habitats of interest. Soil management was implemented over 2.46 ha, which were stripped in inland wetlands, and 5.04 ha were mudded in coastal wetlands, mitigating nearly 25 t CO2eq. Water Management: 75.46 ha of wetlands were re-flooded, enhancing habitats like 1310 and 1410. These measures supported vulnerable species such as the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) and Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea), and the endangered flora Cladium mariscus and Chara vulgaris.
- Monitoring and analysis: monitoring efforts encompassed 285 experimental plots, where carbon cycle processes were analysed. This included assessing carbon sequestration, GHG emissions and the impact of management actions across diverse Mediterranean wetland ecosystems. In addition, 2 679 samples of water and sediment were collected and analysed, yielding over 53.5 million microbial sequences using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). This analysis provided detailed understanding of microbial communities and their metabolic roles, which are critical to GHG dynamics. The findings linked microbial activity to physical-chemical conditions shaped by management actions —such as vegetation mowing, soil stripping, and/or controlled flooding—, offering a comprehensive view of the biotic and abiotic processes regulating the carbon cycle. Fieldwork revealed that water and vegetation management actions significantly influenced GHG fluxes. Therefore, the project established precise coefficients that linked specific actions to measurable reductions in GHG emissions. These coefficients form the scientific foundation for the voluntary carbon market methodology, ensuring its applicability and credibility. The results not only demonstrated the climate mitigation potential of wetland restoration but also provided a replicable framework for integrating carbon credits into broader climate strategies, amplifying the project's long-term impact and scalability.
- Dissemination and networking: the educational outreach engaged 20 052 students through 744 talks, and impacted 28 467 visitors with travelling exhibitions. Moreover, several training workshops across 3 regions included 58 wetland managers of the Regional Authorities, equipping them with practical tools like management matrices and handbooks to integrate climate mitigation into wetland management. The matrices provided a quantitative framework linking management actions to ecological and carbon cycle outcomes, while the training ensured effective adoption, enhancing decision-making and promoting sustainable practices. Furthermore, scientific contributions presented findings at 14 international conferences and published 4 peer-reviewed scientific articles.
- Carbon footprint: The project mitigated 3 690 t CO2eq, achieving a net reduction of 3 545.25 t CO2eq when offset against its own footprint of 147.75 t CO2eq.
- Policy integration: influenced PEPAC, National Strategy on Wetlands and the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). A final conference attracted 215 participants and over 1 300 online viewers. Networking exceeded expectations by fostering collaboration with 23 initiatives, including other LIFE projects and international networks like MedWet and Wetlands International. It facilitated knowledge exchange, advanced methodologies and strengthened synergies for wetland restoration and climate change mitigation at regional, national and EU levels. The development of a scientifically rigorous methodology marked a key success, enabling quantification, monitoring and certification of GHG reductions in Mediterranean wetlands. Pending formal approval in early 2025, the methodology aligns with international standards like the European CRCF and Spanish MITECO Registry, showcasing technical robustness based on extensive project data. Its practical application is demonstrated in the Marjal dels Moros pilot wetland, projected to cut 800 t CO2eq over five years, attracting private investment through pre-sales of 65 t of carbon credits to 4 companies, Naturgy, Saggas, Ecoalf and Zuvamesa. This initiative highlights the dual benefits of wetlands in biodiversity restoration and climate mitigation, reinforcing their vital role in achieving global climate goals and gaining stakeholder confidence in their environmental and economic value.
Overall, the LIFE Wetlands4Climate project demonstrated that Mediterranean wetlands are effective tools for climate change mitigation while preserving biodiversity. The project developed scalable methodologies and informed policies at multiple governance levels. Comprehensive stakeholder engagement and knowledge dissemination have ensured lasting impacts, with the results providing a foundation for future wetland restoration and climate mitigation efforts.
