The RESTORE4Cs project has released its second policy brief, titled “Unlocking the Potential of Coastal Wetlands in Europe: Integration into National Restoration Plans.”

The policy brief, to which MedWet contributed as a reviewer, emphasizes the essential role National Restoration Plans (NRPs) play in strengthening the restoration and resilience of coastal wetlands across Europe, in line with the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. It also showcases how NRPs can be leveraged strategically to unlock the considerable climate and biodiversity benefits these vital ecosystems provide.

Core messages presented in this second policy brief include:

• National Restoration Plans are a timely opportunity to scale up national efforts to restore European coastal wetlands. When tailored to their specific conditions, restoration of these ecosystems can offer vital natural climate solutions through improving carbon storage, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and delivering multiple ecological co-benefits.
• Effective monitoring is essential. NRPs should include strong monitoring frameworks to track the outcomes of restoration activities. This includes not only assessing ecological status but also collecting data on carbon storage and greenhouse gas fluxes, especially methane, to evaluate climate benefits accurately.
• Better alignment with climate policies is needed. To fully leverage the potential of coastal wetlands, NRPs should be coordinated with national climate policy instruments such as National Energy and Climate Plans, national climate adaptation strategies, and carbon removal certification schemes.

This policy brief emphasizes that effective planning and monitoring of coastal wetland restoration is vital—not only for maintaining ecosystem health but also as a strategic pillar supporting Europe’s climate and biodiversity objectives.

Download the policy brief here.

Authors: E. Kampa¹, E. Elkina¹, M. Otero^2
1 Ecologic Institute, Germany; ² European Topic Center, University of Malaga, Spain.

Reviewers: A. Lillebø³, A. Camacho⁴, A. Štrbenac^5
3 University of Aveiro, Portugal; ⁴ University of Valencia, Spain; ⁵ MedWet, France.

Citation: Kampa, E., Elkina, E., Otero, M., 2025. Unlocking Potential of Coastal Wetlands in Europe: Integration into National Restoration Plans. Policy Brief. RESTORE4Cs project.