Protecting freshwater ecosystems like lakes is central to biodiversity, water, energy and food security, and offers climate resilience.




When you think of water, you might picture rivers rushing to the sea or waves crashing on a tropical shore. But the quiet giants of our freshwater systems – lakes – hold 90 per cent of the planet’s surface fresh water. They are life-support systems for millions, providing drinking water, irrigation, food and recreation. They shelter biodiversity, regulate climate and buffer communities against floods and droughts. Yet, like many freshwater ecosystems, lakes are often overlooked in global discussions on water solutions.

From the Great Lakes of Africa to the mountain reservoirs of Asia, lakes sustain billions of lives. They store water, moderate temperature, support fisheries and underpin agriculture. Lakes are also biodiversity havens for countless species.

But lake ecosystems are fragile. Today, they are being put under increasing pressure from climate change, pollution and unsustainable land use. Evaporation rates are rising as global temperatures climb. Nutrient runoff from agriculture fuels algae blooms, turning once-clear waters into oxygen-starved dead zones. Water abstraction for farms and cities shrinks lakes, while invasive species disrupt ecological balance.

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