The emotions of CoP15

That can't be right can it? A CoP, where the world's political negotiators come together to discuss whether their countries should be 'invited' or 'encouraged' to adopt a new commitment, generating emotions? Other than frustration of course...

Well, actually yes. Because CoP is so much more than the negotiations. It's about sharing the science that shapes those new commitments. It's about hearing from the communities who are living with the consequences of our changing world and need our help. It's about understanding the solutions we're developing that make a difference. And it's about making connections and forming partnerships because we know together we deliver more than the sum of our parts.

So, looking back on an amazing 10 days at Ramsar CoP15, what are my emotions?

Anger

Let's get this one out the way first. Global Wetland Outlook is produced by the Ramsar Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee, made up from experts across the world. It sets out the latest data on wetland extent and condition, the value wetlands provide and what we need to do to protect them.

The headlines aren't pretty. Since 1970 we've lost 22% of the world's wetlands. And we continue to lose them at an annual rate of 0.52%. 411 million hectares of wetland is not something you accidentally misplace, so let's call this what it is... since 1970 we've destroyed 22% of our most precious habitat. I don't know about you, but that makes me pretty angry.

And we're not looking after what we've got left. Around 25% of the wetlands we have are in poor ecological condition. The latest World Wetland Survey collated information about 400 wetlands from over 80 countries around the world. It tells us that more than 40% of wetlands have deteriorated in condition since 2018.

In a world facing multiple environmental challenges, with huge economic and social impacts, this should be enough to make us all angry. Not just because of the impact on the environment, but because of the consequences for people. If we managed the 1.4 billion hectares we have left effectively, they would deliver up to $39 trillion of benefit from ecosystem services every single year.

Thirty. Nine. Trillion. Dollars. Hard to compute right? Well let's see if this helps: it's about 10 times the UK's national debt or roughly the same as the US's.

And by the way, $39 trillion is almost certainly an underestimate.

Humility

We talk about adopting a systems approach. It's something I have prided myself on doing for a long time. I've worked hard to bring partners together and been frustrated at those who just want to focus on their silo.

But conversations about the connectivity on a global scale between water and - well, everything else really - made the walls of the silo I actually work within suddenly very apparent. The Global Commission on the Economics of Water is now firmly on my read list.

The basis of it is that our global water cycle is out of kilter. Which means the actions we take in one place affect much more than just the catchment or country we take them in. All because of the relationship between blue water (found in rivers, lakes and aquifers) and green water (found in soils and used by plants).

The impacts of this truly are catastrophic. One of the main reasons our species exists is because of the presence of water on earth. We, and pretty much all life on earth, have evolved around that fact. And the stability of the water cycle is key to where and how we live our lives.

Most dangerously, we will fail on climate change if we fail on water. The Economics of Water

Working as experts in our individual part of the silo is OK. But we have to acknowledge and understand the bigger picture.

Hope

The Convention on Wetlands has a history of quietly setting the trend. It was the very first multi-lateral environmental convention, adopted at Ramsar in 1971. And from the beginning it has recognized the interdependence between humans and wetlands; not just from an economic point of view, but also a cultural one.

This came through loud and clear at Ramsar CoP15. From the multiple sessions on Youth Engagement to the inspiring celebration of Women Change Makers in Wetlands.

The impact of the long established CEPA (Communication, Capacity Building, Education, Participation and Awareness Raising) principles, first adopted by Ramsar last century, was clear throughout. The conversation focussed on people taking action for the wise use of wetlands. And the long standing resolution about culture and wetlands was strengthened. All with a view to improving the understanding of cultural identity and sacred connections but also recognizing the benefit of using art and storytelling to engage all audiences from decision makers to tourists.

The voices we heard were truly inspiring:

• Anesu, a 10 year old local girl from Victoria Falls, had the bravery to remind us that we are not separate from this ecosystem [wetlands], we're part of its heartbeat.

• Dayana Blanco, an Indigenous Aymara woman from Bolivia, told us her people are guided by the principle of Suma Qamaña - to live well in peace and harmony with nature - and they offer it to us with the hope it will inspire us to live in balance with the Earth.

• Pretty much every Victoria Falls local we spoke to about why we were there told us they know wetlands matter, they know we need to act now to protect them, and they were delighted to be hosting the Convention aiming to do that.

In the Global North, society has become more and more divorced from its natural world. We want to be able to visit it. We certainly don't want it to adversely impact us. But work with it? Respect it? Compromise what we do in order to protect it? That feels a little further away.

So the fact that Ramsar is listening to these voices and mainstreaming the perspectives and advice into its strategic direction, gives me hope.

Determination

We have the solutions. Across the world our scientists, our communities, our eNGOs, our policy makers are implementing them right now. That doesn't mean there is nothing more to learn, far from it. But we have the foundations, and my goodness I met a lot of people determined to build on those foundations!

We need to join up more so we share our lessons: no one has time for duplication. We need to unlock private and blended finance quickly: the cost of not doing so is far greater than the investment needed. And we need to bring a sceptical and frightened society with us: it's their lives and livelihoods after all.

But there were some strong themes at CoP15 where we can determinedly focus our efforts.

Urban and peri-urban wetlands

The UN estimates that by 2050 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas. The nightmare scenario is that these are places of impervious surfaces, devoid of blue-green space, their inhabitants flip flopping from being affected by drought and overheating and to being affected by storms and flooding. But it doesn't have to be that way.

As we expand our urban areas to meet economic growth targets, and house an increasing population, we need to do it with the principle of Suma Qamaña front of mind. This fact sheet from Ramsar and partners puts what that means in today's corporate language and offers advice on how to start the conversation.

There are now 74 Wetland Accredited Cities that have done just that. They recognize the value of their natural and man-made wetlands to their citizens for climate resilience, socio-economic benefits and more. These places, in 27 different counties, are showing that wetlands and urbanization can go hand in hand.

The Wetland Cities that gained newly accredited status in 2025 almost doubled the total with that accolade. Wouldn't it be great if we could do that again and make it 150 by CoP16 in 2028?

Listening to and involving Civil Society

There are countless groups across the globe using their voice to support their local place. Initiatives like the World Wetland Network support these voices to move into more active involvement, growing their ability to influence policy and building their capacity to deliver effective wetland conservation.

We need these people! Their knowledge gives us the World Wetland Survey I talked about under 'anger' and informs policy. Their connections bring together hundreds of thousands of people via almost 150 non-governmental and civil society organisations massively multiplying the resource working for wetlands. Their commitment and passion is inspiring, gets things done and always reaps lessons to be shared.

I am grateful this is an increasing trend. It's not always easy. Groups may have a particular view or ambition that doesn't align with your specific organization's remit, or even the legislation you work with. But easy doesn't get things done, and we need to get things done.

Connecting, even integrating, the various global multi-lateral conventions

UNFCCC - UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, CBD - Convention on Biological Diversity, UNCCD - UN Convention to Combat Desertification, CMS - Convention on Migratory Species - I could go on but I think you get the point. There are multiple Conventions working in overlapping space with the risk of duplication - or gaps.

One of the goals of Ramsar CoP15 was to ensure that our work supports the other Conventions. So the data and evidence we gather on wetlands can be used by Ramsar, but also by other Conventions to inform decisions. So the progress we make moves us toward not just Ramsar targets, but also supports those in other Conventions. And, despite negotiations up to the wire, the Convention finally agreed a Strategic Plan for the next three cycles which will allow us to do just that.

This was hard won and I am both massively proud that my team was part of the behind the scenes advocacy that led to this, and delighted it got agreed.

So what next? Well: a bit of personal restoration to recharge the batteries and a lot of organizing of thoughts and ideas so I don't just bore people with random 'thoughts about CoP'. But I want to channel that anger into focussing our work. Use that humility to learn more about the myriad of ideas I saw, heard and discussed. I'll absolutely be working with my CEPA team to build those networks and unleash the power of communities to deliver on the hope I felt. And, in true WWT style, I'll help my team carry on rolling our sleeves up and determinedly delivering solutions.

The time for wetlands is now!