Restoration of Wetlands
Restoration and rewetting of degraded wetlands to recover their carbon storage function and ecosystem services.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
The activity must restore degraded wetland areas (peatlands, marshes, floodplains, mangroves) to a hydrological condition that halts or reverses carbon loss. For peatlands, this means raising the water table to within 30 cm of the surface during the growing season. A baseline carbon flux assessment must be completed before restoration, and monitoring must verify the transition from net carbon source to net carbon sink within 10 years of restoration.
The restoration plan must cover at least 10 years and include specific targets for area restored, water level management, and expected GHG emission reductions. The plan must quantify avoided CO2 and CH4 emissions compared to the degraded baseline, using IPCC Wetlands Supplement methodologies.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Adaptation
The CRVA under Appendix A must assess how restored wetlands contribute to flood attenuation, groundwater recharge, and microclimate regulation while identifying risks from projected changes in precipitation patterns and temperature under RCP 8.5 scenarios.
DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation
Climate risks to the restored wetland must be assessed. The restoration design must account for projected hydrological changes and include adaptive management triggers for adjusting water level management.
DNSH: Water and Marine Resources
Restoration must improve or maintain water quality in adjacent water bodies. Rewetting must not cause downstream flooding or compromise water supply to other users without appropriate stakeholder consultation and mitigation.
DNSH: Circular Economy
Materials used in restoration works (dams, bunds, planting materials) must be sourced sustainably. Construction waste must be minimised and managed according to the Waste Framework Directive.
DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control
Restoration must not mobilise legacy pollutants (heavy metals, pesticide residues) from historically contaminated sediments without appropriate containment or treatment measures. No chemical inputs are permitted beyond those necessary for invasive species management.
DNSH: Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Restoration must target recovery of native wetland plant communities and associated fauna. Invasive species must be controlled. The restoration plan must include biodiversity targets and monitoring, and must be consistent with Natura 2000 management objectives where applicable.