Reducing risks together: Multi-hazards and multi-risks in the wetlands ecosystems sector

This sectoral brief explores looks to wetland management by moving toward a multi-hazard, multisector, and systemic approach. This brief has been developed as a result of the recognition of the value of intact wetlands; healthy wetlands mitigate floods, buffer droughts, stabilise coastlines, and strengthen resilience against cascading hazards - yet their ongoing degradation increasingly transforms them into risk drivers.

Within this brief, wetlands and other ecosystems emerge as critical components for reducing disaster risks while providing wider environmental and social benefits. Moreover, through cross-sectoral engagement, MYRIAD-EU demonstrates how integrating ecosystems into risk management enables broader collaboration between policy, science, and practice, thus underscoring their importance. The document also highlights the remaining policy gaps: many wetlands fall outside existing EU directives, limiting their protection and the valuation of their services in decision-making and economic models.