Reviving our wetlands to unlock their power

Home to 40% of the world’s species, wetlands are critical habitats. But 75% of those in the UK have been drained, degraded and destroyed over the past 300 years.

Still, they remain a powerful natural tool in the fight against global warming.

“Healthy wetlands, like peatlands and saltmarshes, deliver multiple benefits. They can be among the most effective carbon sinks. They also critically support biodiversity, improve our water quality and provide natural flood defences, which will be of increasing importance over the coming years,” explains Gavin Harrison, head of Sustainability.

WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, aims to restore 100,000 hectares of UK wetlands by 2050 through collaboration with experts from various fields. But it will take strategy, funding, research and private sector allies.

We’ve been connecting WWT with stakeholders and investors committed to seeing our wetlands thrive.

One of our first collaborations focused on the Wetland Learning Hub, a digital training platform for people at the forefront of vital work to preserve these essential ecosystems.

We helped shape a strategy for its long-term delivery, so professionals working in NGOs, local communities, governments and wetland reserves can continue to benefit, with nearly 300 people either registered for WWT Learning Hub or completed courses already.

Our advisory work has enabled the charity to articulate its business case to attract private investment for wetland restoration, alongside our support through the Beyond Value Chain Mitigation programme to develop large scale sites for salt marsh creation.

This is particularly pertinent for WWT’s Blue Recovery Leaders Group, which brings together purpose-minded organisations from the third and private sectors to help realise the ambition of bigger, better wetlands in the UK.

Members include engineering and professional services, infrastructure companies, landowners and funders, who share their collective expertise to identify, develop and deliver innovative wetland restoration projects that will enable WWT to reach its 100,000-hectare goal.

Deloitte’s work with WWT is helping to make the organisation’s 2050 vision a reality. But our support hasn’t stopped at strategy; the charity also benefits from Deloitte volunteers to help maintain the WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes.

Over the past year, over 250 people from more than 20 teams across Deloitte have come together, rolled up their sleeves and joined WWT on the ground.

They’ve reinforced riverbanks, desilted ponds, cleared reeds and reshaped habitats with timber, stone and topsoil. Others have taken on maintenance tasks, restoring bird hides and clearing walkways to keep both wildlife and visitors safe.

“It’s hard work, but it gives our people tangible experience and allows them to get a deeper understanding of why protecting our wetlands is so important,” says Elaine Reeves, team volunteering lead.

From recognising how wetlands support the environment to seeing up close how habitats are maintained, each team has left with a greater appreciation of the ecosystem WWT is protecting.

The mix of strategic guidance and hands-on help shows what’s possible when business, communities and nature work together.

Get in touch:

Rachel Glover
Social Impact Sustainability & Climate Partnerships Lead
raglover@deloitte.co.uk
+44 20 7007 0416