Speak up for wetlands this election

The Prime Minister has announced that a General Election will take place on Thursday 4 July.

This is an era-defining moment for us, and for nature. Wetlands are a vital solution to our nature, climate and wellbeing crises. The time to unlock their powers is now.

Join us in making sure the next government recognises the superpower potential of our rivers, our marshes, our peatlands and our ponds.

On 4 July, make your vote count for nature, for wildlife and for people.

Why wetlands? Why now?

Our planet is changing at a dramatic speed. Our neighbourhoods are flooding with frightening frequency, risking catastrophic damage to livelihoods and the places we call home. Our cities are overheating, our rivers are stagnating and our farmers are struggling to grow our food. Nature is in crisis, and we’re all feeling the effects.

But there is hope. You’ll find it wherever land meets water.

Wetlands are weapons of mass creation; they're mood-boosting, flood-busting, water-purifying, carbon-storing ecosystems that offer a home to 40% of the world’s species.

From winding rivers and vast saltmarshes that offer spaces to think and breathe, to streams and ponds nestled in cities that bring wildlife and wellbeing to our doorstep: where wetlands thrive, life thrives. Where wetlands are, lives are enriched.

Read more

What do we want?

We’re calling on the next government to join our mission, think outside the bog, and together restore wetlands like our lives depend on it, because they do.

WWT is calling on all political parties to commit to:

Creating and restoring 100,000 hectares of wetlands in the UK.
Producing a UK Wetland Strategy, which sets out a clear framework for protecting, managing and restoring a healthy network of wetlands we all depend upon.

WWT’s manifesto asks

Political parties have an opportunity to unlock the power of wetlands by committing to some key policies ahead of the general election.

Here's how

We are also part of the Restore Nature Now campaign, which has five key asks to our politicians.

Read more

How can you help?

Throughout history, change has happened when people come together. Now is your chance to stand up and be heard; for wetlands, for nature, and for our futures.

Talk to your local candidate

Between now and July 4, political candidates will be hoping to get your vote. This is a critical time to find out where your candidates stand on wetlands and nature’s recovery, and maybe even secure a few commitments to local action!

Below is a list of suggested questions you could ask them. Alternatively, you can download as a PDF.

I love nature, but I’m worried about pollution, the decline of wildlife and the loss of our wetlands and forests. Even the Government’s own nature advisors don’t think we'll meet the legal target to stop wildlife decline by 2030. What would you and your party do to stop nature’s decline by 2030 at home and around the world?
Wetlands are weapons of mass creation; they're mood-boosting, flood-busting, water-purifying, carbon-storing ecosystems that offer a home to 40% of the world’s species. But in the UK, we’ve lost 75% of our wetlands in the last 300 years. What would you and your party do to help create and restore 100,000 hectares of wetlands across the country?
In the UK, we’re already seeing the severe impacts of flooding, water pollution and the climate crisis. But wetlands are being overlooked despite storing carbon at tremendous rates and providing natural solutions to water quality issues and flood-management. Are you and your party considering how wetlands can help tackle these multiple crises?
I’m aware of the political priorities this election, but wetlands are a crucial solution to so many of our pressing issues. They can be used as part of preventive mental and physical healthcare, relieving pressure on the NHS and save money while restoring biodiversity through creating natural flood defences. How are you and your party integrating wetlands and nature-based solutions across your core policy areas?
I love my local wetlands – they provide me with so much peace of mind. Just 10 minutes in a wetland can boost positive feelings, but not everyone in the country has access to wetlands, or other natural habitats at all. What are you and your party doing to ensure wetlands are included in all local plans and major developments?
Politicians have signed a global deal to protect at least a third of our land and sea for nature by 2030. We’re way off track – even the Government thinks we’re at less than 10%. The UK is also a signatory to the Ramsar convention on wetlands, but we are yet to introduce a UK wetlands strategy as recommended by the convention. What would your party do differently to make sure that the UK keeps its promise to protect 30% of our landscape? Would you introduce a UK wetlands strategy to protect and restore our existing wetlands?

Please let us know how you got on in your conversations by filling out this brief feedback form.

Visit the People, nature and climate hub

Our friends at The Climate Coalition have pulled together a one stop shop for all the things that you can do in your constituency for nature and climate, from downloadable posters to a handy tool for writing to your candidates. There’s also some helpful resources on having effective conversations with your candidates if they knock at your door.

It’s not too late to take action – find out what you can do below!

Check out the hub

Watch the Big nature and climate debate

On Monday 17 June, politicians from all parties sat in the hot seat with a live audience for the biggest environmental hustings of 2024.

If you're wondering who to vote for and want to find out more about the stances of our main political parties on the biggest environmental and climate issues of the day, check out the full 90-minute debate on YouTube.

Watch the debate