Protection of freshwater ecosystems is a key element in fighting climate change, Diana Kopansky, Head of the Freshwater Ecosystems and Wetlands Unit at the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), told a COP29 event "Water for Climate: Integrating Water Issues into NDCs and NAPs" held in Baku, Report informs.
"Protecting freshwater ecosystems is critical to keeping global warming at 1.5°C. Peatlands, while covering only 3% of Earth's surface, store twice as much carbon as all the world's forests. Their preservation plays a key role in fighting climate change," Kopansky stated.
Kopansky emphasized the importance of developing green jobs: "Creating jobs to protect nature and manage ecosystems must become a priority."
She noted that the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach is a key tool in fighting climate change and protecting nature, and urged countries to incorporate this approach into their national strategies. According to her, protecting freshwater ecosystems contributes significantly not only to the well-being of local communities but also to international cooperation and sustainable economic development.