What role does freshwater play in climate mitigation? 3 questions to Nureen Faiza Anisha
Illustration: Cécile Pillon Hue, SIWI Freshwater ecosystems are intimately linked to climate as they can both absorb and release greenhouse gas. In a webinar on 16 March, SIWI and partners will explore the mitigation potential and water-related risks of freshwater systems. Nureen Faiza Anisha gives us an overview.
In a series of five webinars, SIWI and fellow experts will explore how water can be used more effectively as a tool to mitigate climate change. Each webinar explores a different sector, with insights based on new research summarized in the landmark report The essential drop to reach net-zero: Unpacking freshwater’s role in climate mitigation.
On 16 March, the discussion will focus on freshwater systems. Report author Nureen Faiza Anisha from Oregon State University gives us a quick overview on the key role freshwater plays in climate mitigation.
Why is it critical to consider the freshwater systems in climate mitigation strategies?
When we talk about climate change mitigation through natural systems, we commonly talk about ocean, forests and soils, and their role is widely acknowledged in achieving net zero target. The role of freshwater ecosystems (such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, etc.) in achieving climate mitigation targets has not yet been widely acknowledged to the extent reflecting their potential. But these aquatic environments can act as both greenhouse gas (GHG) sources and sinks based on their environmental conditions and management practices. This duality to be both source and sink is what makes freshwater systems important in the global carbon budget.
For example, rivers globally are estimated to account for about 3% of global terrestrial N2O emissions and this rate of emission is increasing. On the other hand, river systems, particularly floodplains, can efficiently sequester carbon too.
Again, wetlands have one of the highest stores of soil carbon in the biosphere, storing more than 30% of the estimated global carbon emissions, despite covering about 7% of the world’s surface. But when drained or disturbed, we not just lose the stored carbon pool in the wetlands, we deplete our future carbon sinks. Hence, it is important to understand which conditions trigger emissions from freshwater systems and which ones enhance carbon sequestration. We can only utilize freshwater systems for climate change mitigation when our management decisions are well-informed.
“When drained or disturbed, we not just lose the stored carbon pool in the wetlands, we deplete our future carbon sinks.”
Why should people join the webinar?
In the chapter “Mitigation measures in freshwater ecosystems”, we comprehensively discuss the climate change mitigation potential of freshwater systems, the relevant risks, knowledge gaps, management recommendations and potential implications for governance.
In this webinar, we will be sharing the key findings and recommendations regarding wetlands, rivers, lakes, etc. We will also share insights about freshwater systems from Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and case studies on peatland rewetting and watershed management for climate change mitigation.
This webinar aims to shed light on how to mainstream freshwater-based climate change mitigation through policy and practice.
“We can only utilize freshwater systems for climate change mitigation when our management decisions are well-informed.”
What should people do afterwards? What is your call to action?
We need to bring our attention to the role that freshwater systems can play in climate change mitigation and mainstream their inclusion in mitigation actions.
This requires:
- Inclusion of freshwater systems more commonly within the national GHG inventories.
- Aligning policies (such as National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), Integrated Coastal Zone Management, etc.) with the targets set in NDCs to alleviate emissions and enhance sinks from freshwater systems.
- Enhancing our understanding of carbon dynamics in different aquatic systems for improved management strategies.
