Wetland Loss Could Cost Global Economy $39 Trillion by 2050

The global destruction of wetlands is on track to cause economic losses estimated at $39 trillion by 2050, according to a new report released by the Convention on Wetlands.

These vital ecosystems, essential for fisheries, agriculture, and flood control, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to human and environmental pressures.

The report highlights that about 22 percent of the world’s wetlands have vanished since 1970.

This includes both freshwater systems, such as peatlands, rivers, and lakes, and coastal marine ecosystems, such as mangroves and coral reefs. The rate of loss is now the fastest recorded among major global ecosystems.

Key drivers of this decline include changes in land use, pollution, agricultural expansion, invasive species, and climate change-related impacts such as rising sea levels and prolonged droughts. The cumulative effects are posing severe risks to biodiversity, local livelihoods, and regional climate resilience.

To reverse the trend, the report calls for substantial global investment ranging between $275 billion and $550 billion annually. Current funding levels fall significantly short of what is needed to secure the future of these ecosystems.

The findings come ahead of the triennial Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, scheduled to be held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

The convention, established in 1971 and supported by 172 countries including the United States, Russia, and China, aims to coordinate international efforts to conserve and sustainably manage wetland resources.

The report notes that wetland degradation is most severe in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with growing concerns also emerging in Europe and North America.