Why wetlands matter for climate resilience and carbon storage in Africa | carboncredit.io

Wetlands cover just 6% of Earth's land but store 20-35% of land-based carbon. Peatlands alone hold more carbon than all forests combined. When drained, they release about 2 billion tonnes of CO2 annually, roughly 5% of human-caused emissions. The article explains how wetland loss weakens carbon sinks and increases flood and storm risks for communities. Migratory birds like the Bar-tailed Godwit depend on wetlands as stopover sites. Habitat loss and climate-driven droughts are breaking these chains. The article highlights a success story: protecting 16 coastal sites in China and South Korea helped slow the decline of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper from 26% to 5% annually. The piece argues wetland conservation should be treated as climate adaptation investment. Protecting floodplains and tidal flats delivers measurable benefits for carbon storage, biodiversity, and community resilience. But wetlands remain underfunded compared to other climate solutions.