For Our Planet, every action counts!

Wetlands and Sustainable Development

Wetlands play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development as well as in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals and are valuable for flood protection, water quality improvement, and soil erosion control as they function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, and flood waters. Preserving and restoring wetlands can and should play an important role in meeting the global climate goals.

#ForOurPlanet Campaign Event in Mbabane

EU Charge d’Affaires, Eva-Maria Engdahl, emphasized the significance of wetlands during a #ForOurPlanet campaign event held on 07 March 2024 in Mbabane. The event, organized by the EU Delegation to Eswatini, aimed to encourage all emaSwati, including civil society, to take action in preserving planet earth. Engdahl highlighted that every action counts in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Partnership and Wetland Preservation

The campaign event was organized in partnership with Yibutse Green Action and the Municipal Council of Mbabane (MCM) and took place in one of the wetland areas in Mbabane. Approximately 5% of the total area of Mbabane consists of wetlands, making their preservation crucial for sustainable development and the fight against the effects of climate change.

Activities and Participants

The event involved activities such as litter picking around the wetland area and removal of invasive alien plant species that threaten the preservation and restoration of wetlands. The Mayor of Mbabane, Vusi Tembe, accompanied by senior municipal council officers, local community members, and EU Youth Advisory Board (YAB) members, also attended the event.

#ForOurPlanet Campaign and Global Challenges

In her speech, Engdahl explained that the #ForOurPlanet campaign is an initiative of the European Union to address the climate and nature crises worldwide. Launched in 2022 during CoP27, the campaign has become an annual event aimed at raising awareness and calling for action on the most critical global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Biodiversity Loss and Wetland Conservation

Engdahl highlighted that for Mbabane, the most visible face of biodiversity loss is the diminishing area under wetlands, which are drained for city development, leading to reduced ecosystem resilience. Additionally, wetlands face threats from illegal waste dumping, infestation with invasive alien plant species, and destruction due to human encroachment.

Engdahl expressed her hope that the community of Mbabane will continue the efforts in preserving and restoring the city’s wetlands. This action will not only improve livelihoods by diversifying incomes but also provide greater ecological and community resilience by reversing biodiversity loss.