In a major step toward building the long-term health of local natural environments, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Reckitt have announced an innovative wetland restoration pilot project at the Taicang Jincanghu Provincial Wetland Park in China.
This initiative is part of a broader, strategic partnership between WWF and Reckitt aimed at protecting and restoring vulnerable freshwater habitats. By combining WWF’s conservation expertise with Reckitt’s commitment to water stewardship, the project focuses on improving water management, and restoring the natural health of the wetland park, with an aim of being replicable and scalable, whilst supported by local authorities.
Situated within the densely populated Yangtze River Delta, Jincanghu Wetland is a vital natural waterway in the Taihu Basin. The wetland provides essential benefits to the region, including providing crucial flood control, improving local water quality, protecting biodiversity, and offering an accessible natural spot for locals to visit.
Despite its ecological importance, Jincanghu Wetland faces multiple environmental challenges, including habitat degradation, insufficient water flow, and damage to the natural systems wildlife relies on.
Through their ongoing partnership, WWF and Reckitt are working to address these challenges directly by playing a critical role in restoring the wetland’s natural capacity to store and filter water. The project brings together corporate action, NGO expertise, and local conservation authorities to establish a collective action model for freshwater conservation.
The 2026 pilot project focuses on applying nature-based solutions to create a thriving, resilient habitat. Key improvements being implemented through this partnership include:
- Water Flow Improvement: Restoring the natural movement and dynamics of water throughout the wetland network.
- Habitat Restoration: Applying proven conservation methods to increase biodiversity and stabilise the ecosystem.
- Capacity building: Conducting training and education activities to develop local management and volunteering teams to protect the wetland.
The ultimate goal of the initiative is to establish a modern, practical wetland management model that can be scaled to other regions, driving continuous improvement for nature and people across the broader Taihu Basin.
This pilot project is a landmark action under the “Wetlands+ Taicang Action Network.” Launched in 2024, this ongoing conservation network was jointly established by WWF, government agencies, civil society organizations, and progressive enterprises like Reckitt to foster collaborative, long-term environmental protection.
“Wetlands are essential for safeguarding water security, supporting biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems. They also serve as a critical natural buffer against climate change,” said Ren Wenwei, Director, Shanghai Regional Program, WWF China. “Strengthening multi-stakeholder participation and collaborative governance is an important pathway to building greater resilience across river basins. When we protect wetlands, wetlands help protect us.”
Johnny Teng, Manufacturing Director of Reckitt Greater China said: “Water stewardship is a key sustainability priority for Reckitt. As a stakeholder within the basin, we are pleased to support wetland conservation and public engagement through this partnership, contributing to healthier freshwater ecosystems and improved local water environments.”
WWF and Reckitt have previously collaborated on freshwater conservation and water stewardship initiatives globally, including in India, South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan and Indonesia.
The launch of this project in China builds on global experience while responding to local needs, contributing new insights and innovative approaches to freshwater conservation in the Yangtze River Basin.