FBA calls on world leaders at COP to recognise the value of freshwater ecosystems

COP27 – Position Statement

“The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) calls on world leaders at COP to urgently recognise the critical value of freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands.”

In the run up to COP26, FBA supported the joint communique of the World Aquatic Societies to place a greater emphasis on action to protect fragile aquatic ecosystems from the effects of climate change.

We were encouraged to see that parties to COP26 explicitly recognising the ‘interlinked global crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, and the critical role protecting, conserving and restoring nature and ecosystems in delivering benefits for climate adaptation and mitigation.

However, both COP26/7 continue to place an emphasis on terrestrial and marine ecosystems with very little visible attention being paid to freshwaters such as lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. 

We must place a greater emphasis and value on freshwater ecosystems.

Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for people and the planet. Despite covering only 0.01% of the Earth's total surface, they supply essential ecosystem services such as food and clean water, to billions of people.

Freshwater ecosystems are highly vulnerable to global warming because 1) their chief drivers, water quality and flow regimes, are highly sensitive to atmospheric warming, and 2) they are already extremely threatened by a wide range of interacting anthropogenic pressures.

Shifts in the composition and function of freshwater ecosystems are widely anticipated with adverse consequences for ecosystem services, such as natural flood management and including those underpinning water and food security.

Freshwater ecosystems and their services, including provision of clean water must be considered first and foremost by COP27 parties when developing and implementing any climate action.