We can meet the freshwater needs of people and nature

Freshwater is essential for our planet. Fresh water is vital for people and wildlife – it needs careful management because there’s not always enough to go around.

Freshwater environments include rivers, lakes, wetlands, streams and underground aquifers. They store and clean the water that's crucial for people and wildlife. 

Healthy freshwater environments supply water for drinking, growing crops, manufacturing, energy and transport. They also help to prevent erosion, dispose of waste and provide natural protection from flooding.

But we've been careless with this vital resource. Freshwater environments have been mismanaged, leading to pollution, drying rivers and damaged habitats. In the last century we’ve lost so many of the world’s wetlands and their wildlife.

We believe it’s possible to meet the freshwater needs of both people and nature – if water is managed wisely. That's why we're working hard to help protect and manage freshwater resources around the world.

Whether it’s water voles in the UK or giant catfish in the Mekong, freshwater habitats are home to some of the richest biodiversity on Earth.

People are affected too. Over the last 50 years, the frequency of – and impacts caused by – severe flooding and drought has increased, partly because of damage to freshwater ecosystems. Meanwhile, dams disrupt natural river flow, which can affect people downstream that rely on the river. Unsafe water has had severe health and financial costs.

Rising water consumption is putting pressure on water resources: by 2030 nearly half the world's population will live in areas of high water stress.

We support our partners around the world to protect and manage these spectacular freshwater environments.