Water Wheel Jan/Feb 2023: Upfront

Abstract

NEWS Cape Town South Africa’s first ‘wetland’ city and efficiency of wetland ecosystems. The voluntary wetland accreditation system adopted by the Ramsar with the aim of promotes sustainable urbanisation and the conservation of urban and peri-urban wetlands within urban and peri-urban areas. Cities that have taken exceptional measures to protect their urban wetlands or a wetland of international importance (known as a Ramsar Site) within their city may apply to be accredited as a Ramsar Wetland City. The Wetland City Accreditation programme provides international recognition for cities that uphold a solid and favourable relationship with wetlands through creating public awareness on wetland benefits, incorporating wetland protection into municipal planning and decision-making, and promoting wetland benefits for local people. The City of Cape Town is home to over 11 000 hectares of wetlands which provide essential services such as disaster risk reduction and contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

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