Policy and advocacy

A radical rethink on flood protection needed – WWT report

A radical rethink on flood protection needed – WWT report

The recent impacts of storms Babet, Ciaran and Debi have exposed how unprepared the UK is to the growing risk of flooding caused by climate change. Our new report is calling on Government to increase the amount they spend on natural flood prevention.

23 November 2023

Could specially engineered wetlands help clean up the UK's polluted waterways?

Could specially engineered wetlands help clean up the UK's polluted waterways?

WWT calls for national pilot scheme to be established in the UK by 2025.

3 August 2023

Biodiversity Net Gain: As new rules for developers that could help wetlands are introduced, Sarah Fowler addresses key conference

Biodiversity Net Gain: As new rules for developers that could help wetlands are introduced, Sarah Fowler addresses key conference

2nd March saw WWT Chief Executive Sarah Fowler speak alongside a panel of experts on new rules requiring developers to leave biodiversity in a better state than they found it that could help boost wetland nature.

3 March 2023

WWT responds to government proposals that could imperil wetlands

WWT responds to government proposals that could imperil wetlands

Proposed changes to the planning system, land management support and environmental legislation.

28 September 2022

Why we need action for wetlands as part of the UK's nature recovery plan

Why we need action for wetlands as part of the UK's nature recovery plan

The UK Government has today announced major new proposals to help meet its ambitions to halt the loss of nature and restore species by 2030.

16 March 2022

World Wetlands Day 2022

World Wetlands Day 2022

World Wetlands Day 2022 We need to love, cherish and restore our amazing, natural wetlands.This February 2 sees the 25th World Wetlands Day. The day provides a crucial reminder that our wetlands are sadly disappearing three times faster than our rainfo

1 February 2022

Farmland boost for wetlands welcomed by WWT

Farmland boost for wetlands welcomed by WWT

A new UK Government scheme to pay farmers to create and restore wetlands on their land has been welcomed by WWT as a “once in a generation” opportunity to help turn the tide on biodiversity loss and poor water quality.

6 January 2022

New study shows allowing the sea back in could help UK meet  climate goals

New study shows allowing the sea back in could help UK meet climate goals

Findings demonstrate restored coastal saltmarsh, created through re-connecting the land to the sea, stores more carbon, faster, than forests

21 October 2021

WWT calls for wetlands to be at heart of reaching “nature positive” by 2030

WWT calls for wetlands to be at heart of reaching “nature positive” by 2030

WWT has welcomed the Nature Positive 2030 report produced by the five UK statutory nature agencies stressing that ambitions for nature recovery should be put on the same footing as those for climate change.

23 September 2021

WWT joins urgent call to clean up England’s wetlands

WWT joins urgent call to clean up England’s wetlands

We're joining 20 other nature organisations calling for urgent measures to help lift England’s rivers, lakes and streams from the bottom of the water quality league table, and warn that drastic action is needed to restore wildlife habitat. Every fres

13 September 2021

Wetlands Can!  WWT's major new campaign calls for the creation of 100,000 hectares of healthy wetlands

Wetlands Can! WWT's major new campaign calls for the creation of 100,000 hectares of healthy wetlands

WWT is today launching a major new public campaign Wetlands Can! urging people to get behind our call for the creation of 100,000 hectares of healthy wetlands in the UK to help combat the climate, nature and wellbeing crisis.

20 July 2021

WWT welcomes UK risks report that highlights role of nature in tackling climate crisis

WWT welcomes UK risks report that highlights role of nature in tackling climate crisis

WWT has welcomed the Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk report released by the Climate Change Committee which states clearly that we cannot deliver net zero without tackling the nature crisis. Healthy wetlands were mentioned at the report’s la

17 June 2021

Radio 4 drama highlights importance of wetlands to fighting the climate crisis

Radio 4 drama highlights importance of wetlands to fighting the climate crisis

A new Radio 4 drama that uses the story of a fictional nature reserve to highlight the vital role wetlands can play in fighting the climate crisis starts next week. The Song of the Reed stars Mark Rylance and Sophie Okonedo and will play out in four di

17 June 2021

Politicians, businesses and environment groups meet to launch ambitious  Blue Recovery plan

Politicians, businesses and environment groups meet to launch ambitious Blue Recovery plan

Government, politicians, environmental organisations and businesses today attended the online launch of WWT’s Blue Recovery.

4 March 2021

WWT response to The Budget 2021

WWT response to The Budget 2021

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak today outlined the Government’s budget for the next year.

3 March 2021