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<p>The UK plays an active role to support and implement the conservation and wise
use of wetlands through the Ramsar Convention. In England we are not currently planning
to publish a separate National Wetland Strategy but have set out our plan to recover
nature and restore our habitats and wetlands in the revised Environmental Improvement
Plan (EIP23), as well as our England Peat Action Plan. We are also meeting our commitments
under the Ramsar Convention, as laid out in our Environmental Improvement Plan and
the National Adaptation Plan, through establishing a UK Wetland Inventory - mapping
our wetlands for the first time and supporting future action to protect these vital
habitats.</p><p> </p><p>We recognise that wetland restoration will be critical to
protect the vast number of wetland species as well as providing critical nature-based
solutions to climate change mitigation and adaption. By 2030 we have domestically
committed to halt the decline in species abundance and by 2042 we aim to reverse species
decline; to reduce the risk of species extinction; and to restore or create more than
500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats outside protected sites. Many wetlands
are also Protected Sites, of which we have committed to restore 75% to favourable
condition by 2042.</p><p> </p><p>Alongside setting targets in other areas including
water and air quality, we are taking targeted action to recover our wetlands. Our
recently announced and government-supported Lost Wetlands Nature Recovery Project
will reclaim, restore and rewet a mosaic of wetland habitats over 5,000ha in South
Greater Manchester and North Cheshire, previously lost to industrialisation, urbanisation
and agricultural intensification. Defra has also launched a 60,000-hectare Nature
Recovery Project focusing on the Somerset Wetlands, with the 6,140-hectare super National
Nature Reserve at its heart. These projects will enhance connectivity, species recovery
and resilience to climate change.</p><p> </p>
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