Amazon Region Protected Areas programme (ARPA) and the ARPA for Life Transition Fund, Brazil
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
- Researchers Soares-Filho et al. (2023): ARPA support accounts for additional deforestation reductions of 9% in strictly protected units and 39% in sustainable-use units; leakage was not assessed. Biological Conservation (Elsevier)
- International bodies KfW evaluation (2017): Designation of protected areas significantly reduces deforestation within the protected areas; effective protection is at risk from budget restrictions. KfW Development Bank, Evaluation
- Communities and civil society Funbio: A park manager says Chandless State Park would not exist without ARPA; the claim is a testimonial on the programme's own page. Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
ARPA, launched in 2002 and coordinated by Brazil's Environment Ministry with the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio) as financial manager, supports protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon; its Transition Fund, begun in 2014 with a stated commitment of "$215 million", is meant to move the areas to full public funding within 25 years. A 2023 peer-reviewed study found deforestation 9% lower in strictly protected and 39% lower in sustainable-use units with ARPA support than in units without it in 2008–2020; three of its seven authors are affiliated with WWF-Brazil or Funbio, and Funbio helped fund the study.
As stated by WWF (22 May 2014) and Positive News (18 July 2014, which adds £125m); neither source names the currency of the dollar figure. Described as covering 25 years in one passage and "the next two decades" in another.
Status As of November 2025: ARPA is ongoing with a reported additional US$120 million over 15 years; the latest impact study (2023) covers 2008–2020; no independent evaluation of the Transition Fund itself was found.
- Supported conservation units and the agencies that manage them — 120 units covering 62.5 million hectares per Funbio's statistics panel; the 2025 commitment contracts agencies with Funbio Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
- Funbio — Financial manager and executor; executive secretary of the Transition Fund; fee levels are not stated in the sources Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
- Residents of sustainable-use units — 130,000 people and 130 community groups in the 60 units supported by the 2025 commitment (press report) ((o))eco
What happened
The Amazon Region Protected Areas programme (ARPA) was launched by the Brazilian government and is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment; the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (Funbio) has been its financial manager and executor "since day-one", according to Funbio. Funbio lists as donors the Brazilian government, the German government through KfW, the Global Environment Facility (through the World Bank), the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and WWF. ((o))eco reported in November 2025 that ARPA was created in September 2002 at Rio+10 in Johannesburg. Funbio and a 2023 peer-reviewed study describe phase I (2003–2009), in which 23 million hectares of protected areas were created, and phase II (2010–2017), which supported the consolidation of 95 areas covering 52.2 million hectares; the study adds that since the launch of "Arpa para Vida" (ARPA for Life) at Rio+20 the programme has been based on an approach called Project Finance for Permanence, and WWF dates that launch to 2012. Funbio states that the programme surpassed its initial target of 60 million hectares, about 15% of the Brazilian Amazon, with 60.8 million hectares across 117 areas in 2017, while its statistics panel lists 120 areas and 62.5 million hectares; the page does not explain the difference.
The Transition Fund was announced in 2014. WWF's release of 22 May 2014 described a funding commitment of "$215 million" by the Brazilian government, WWF and partners, "guaranteed" over two decades in one paragraph and over 25 years in another, after which the Brazilian government would cover the full cost; its president called it a "first-of-its-kind bridge fund". Positive News reported on 18 July 2014 that the money was committed through "project finance" so that all funds were committed at once, that payments decrease over the years, that future funds depend on Brazil meeting conditions and that by 2040 full funding responsibility returns to Brazil. Funbio says the fund, with Funbio as executive secretary, was designed to gradually phase in long-term public financing "ensuring 100% public funding of its PAs within a period of 25 years". KfW's 2017 evaluation wrote that the donor fund's contribution "will gradually decrease over time until 2039, while financing from the Brazilian state is set to be increased in the same amount." A reported new commitment in November 2025 was an additional US$120 million, about R$ 640 million, over 15 years for 60 sustainable-use units covering 23.6 million hectares, implemented through contracts between agencies and Funbio.
Evaluations of ARPA are limited to the programme's phases and to one impact study. KfW's evaluation department rated the International Climate Initiative (IKI) contribution to phase I, EUR 3.63 million in 2008–2010 for 28 protected areas, with an overall grade of 2; it wrote that "The designation of protected areas significantly reduces the rate of deforestation in the areas which have been protected" and put the total investment in phase I at USD 113 million. It warned that protection of Brazilian protected areas was at risk from budget restrictions on the federal protected-area and environment agencies. Soares-Filho and colleagues (Biological Conservation, 2023) compared 120 conservation units covering 62 million hectares over 2008–2020 and found that ARPA support accounted for additional deforestation reductions of 9% in strictly protected units and 39% in sustainable-use units relative to non-supported units; protected areas including Indigenous lands reduced Amazon deforestation by 21% (2.0 ± 0.3 million hectares), of which ARPA units accounted for 264 ± 25 thousand hectares, equivalent to 104 ± 10 million tonnes of CO2. The authors report BRL 409 million executed by the programme until the end of 2020 (personal communication), and that leakage was not assessed. The study was supported by Funbio, the Climate and Land Use Alliance and CNPq, and three of its seven authors are affiliated with WWF-Brazil or Funbio.
The Amazon Fund's evaluations page lists an ARPA Phase 2 evaluation by Funbio and WWF-Brazil covering 2005–2015, for which Amazon Fund support ran 2010–2014; the page does not give its findings or date. The IKI project page records the same EUR 3,630,072 grant as running from November 2008 to December 2009 and claims 28 new protected areas covering about 8.9 million hectares; KfW's evaluation dates the support to 2008–2010. Funbio's page shows the programme as "In Progress" and names a 2012 US Treasury award and a 2017 GEF selection as recognition.
- 2002ARPA created (September, at Rio+10 in Johannesburg, per ((o))eco); Funbio states support has run since 2002
- 2003Phase I begins (2003–2009): 23 million hectares of protected areas created
- 2008IKI-funded contribution to phase I starts (EUR 3.63 million; 28 protected areas; ends 2009 or 2010 depending on source)
- 2010Phase II begins (2010–2017): consolidation of 95 areas covering 52.2 million hectares
- 2012ARPA for Life launched at Rio+20
- 2014Transition Fund begins; WWF announces a "$215 million" commitment (22 May); Positive News reports on it (18 July)
- 2017Funbio reports 60.8 million hectares across 117 areas, above the 60 million hectare target; KfW evaluation report issued
- 2023Soares-Filho et al. publish an impact study of ARPA (6 February)
- 2025November: reported additional US$120 million over 15 years for 60 sustainable-use units
What was said
“first-of-its-kind bridge fund to ensure ARPA's inspiring success story can be told forever”
“We borrowed a page from Wall Street – you build together the capital to fund the whole thing.”
“If we hadn't had ARPA, I have no doubt that Chandless wouldn't exist.”
“It's a program that has survived even the worst governments”
“The designation of protected areas significantly reduces the rate of deforestation in the areas which have been protected.”
“ARPA support accounts for additional deforestation reductions of 9 % in SP CUs and 39 % in SU CUs in relation to non-supported CUs.”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
ARPA support accounts for additional deforestation reductions of 9% in strictly protected units and 39% in sustainable-use units; leakage was not assessed.
Biological Conservation (Elsevier)Designation of protected areas significantly reduces deforestation within the protected areas; effective protection is at risk from budget restrictions.
KfW Development Bank, EvaluationA park manager says Chandless State Park would not exist without ARPA; the claim is a testimonial on the programme's own page.
Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)60.8 million hectares across 117 areas in 2017 and a statistics panel of 62.5 million hectares and 120 areas; the Transition Fund ensures 100% public funding within 25 years.
Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)"$215 million" guaranteeing funds over two decades in one paragraph and the next 25 years in another; 95 areas covering 52 million hectares.
WWF Canada"$215m" (£125m) over the next 25 years, over 90 parks covering 51 million hectares, full funding responsibility returning to Brazil by 2040.
Positive NewsHow it looked
Shown
- ARPA described as "an innovative, revolutionary, efficient and transparent program" by a park manager, and a 2012 US Treasury award as "especially noteworthy and of major impact".Funbio, ARPA page · Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
- The Transition Fund described as a bridge fund that guarantees protection of 60 million hectares for two decades or 25 years.WWF · WWF Canada
- The Transition Fund financing described as "project finance", in which all details were agreed and all funds were committed at the same time.Positive News, reporting the funders' approach · Positive News
Recorded
- KfW's 2017 ex-post evaluation of the IKI contribution gave an overall rating of 2 and recorded EUR 3,630,072 disbursed for 28 protected areas, against a total phase I investment of USD 113 million.
- The 2023 Biological Conservation study estimated ARPA support reduced deforestation by 9% (strictly protected) and 39% (sustainable use) against non-supported units in 2008–2020; leakage was not assessed.
- Funbio's page records 60.8 million hectares across 117 areas for 2017 and 62.5 million hectares across 120 areas in its statistics panel.
- KfW's evaluation recorded that Brazilian protected areas were at risk from budget restrictions on federal agencies and that deforestation had risen again in recent years.
In nature's name
Promised
- “ensuring 100% public funding of its PAs within a period of 25 years” — Funbio, describing the Transition Fund Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
- “first-of-its-kind bridge fund to ensure ARPA's inspiring success story can be told forever” — Carter Roberts, President and CEO of WWF-US (22 May 2014) WWF Canada
Money moved in nature's name
| What | Kind | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transition Fund commitment announced by WWF and partners Brazilian government, WWF and partners WWF Canada | Pledged | $215m | 2014 onward |
| Total investment in phase I of ARPA Brazilian government, GEF, WWF, German cooperation and others KfW Development Bank, Evaluation | Spent | $113m | phase I (2003–2009) |
| IKI contribution to phase I German International Climate Initiative (IKI) KfW Development Bank, Evaluation | Paid out | €3.63m | 2008–2010 |
| Executed by ARPA until the end of 2020 ARPA programme Biological Conservation (Elsevier) | Spent | 409m BRL | to end of 2020 |
| Additional ARPA funding reported German government, World Bank, Moore Foundation, AngloAmerican, WWF ((o))eco | Pledged | $120m | 2025–2040 |
What was measured
A peer-reviewed impact study (2023) and KfW's evaluation found a deforestation benefit in supported units. The study's lead and corresponding authors are at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, but three of seven authors are affiliated with WWF-Brazil or Funbio and Funbio helped fund the work, so it is not fully independent of the programme; the authors declare no competing interests and did not assess leakage. The programme's own area and unit counts are not independent measurements.
Operation Ongoing · Funbio lists the programme as in progress; an additional commitment was reported in November 2025. Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
Findings on record
- Official audit KfW Development Bank, ex-post evaluation (IKI) (2017) · Ex post evaluation - Brazil: ARPA (project number 209810094): “The designation of protected areas significantly reduces the rate of deforestation in the areas which have been protected.” KfW Development Bank, Evaluation
- Peer-reviewed study Soares-Filho et al., Biological Conservation 279 (2023) 109928 (2023-02-06) · Contribution of the Amazon protected areas program to forest conservation: “ARPA support accounts for additional deforestation reductions of 9 % in SP CUs and 39 % in SU CUs in relation to non-supported CUs.” Biological Conservation (Elsevier)
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- Funbio (undated): Describes itself as ARPA's financial manager and executor since the start and lists the programme as "In Progress"; states that the Transition Fund is designed to ensure 100% public funding of the supported areas within 25 years. · Funbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund)
- WWF (22 May 2014; November 2025): Announced the 2014 Transition Fund as a "first-of-its-kind bridge fund"; WWF-Brasil's executive director said in 2025 that the protected regions "will provide essential resources to communities". · WWF Canada
- Government of Brazil (November 2025): The Minister of the Environment said in November 2025: "It's a program that has survived even the worst governments". · ((o))eco
- KfW (2017): Rated the IKI contribution 2 overall and wrote that the designation of protected areas significantly reduces deforestation in the protected areas. · KfW Development Bank, Evaluation
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
- Not measured Harm to nature: The record holds no measurement of harm to nature.
- Disputed Whether ARPA support reduces deforestation
Accounts
- Disputed How large the programme and its funding term are
Record
- None on record None on record: a donor-by-donor breakdown of the Transition Fund commitment of "$215 million"; the sources name funders without amounts.
- None on record None on record: the currency of the "$215 million" figure; neither source names it.
- Disputed Disputed: the term of the Transition Fund commitment. WWF gives both "two decades" and 25 years, Funbio gives 25 years and a target date of 2039, and Positive News gives 25 years and 2040.
- Disputed Disputed: the area covered when the Transition Fund was announced; the sources give 51 million, 52 million and 52.2 million hectares.
- Unclear Unclear: the ARPA area and unit counts. Funbio's narrative gives 60.8 million hectares and 117 areas for 2017; its statistics panel gives 62.5 million and 120; the 2023 study gives 62.5 million and 120 units.
- None on record None on record: findings of the ARPA Phase 2 evaluation by Funbio and WWF-Brazil; the Amazon Fund's evaluations page lists it without findings.
- Not measured Not measured: leakage of deforestation outside the supported units; the 2023 study states that leakage was not part of its assessment.
- Insufficient Insufficient: independence of the impact study. Its funding is from Funbio, the Climate and Land Use Alliance and CNPq, and three of its seven authors are affiliated with WWF-Brazil or Funbio; the authors declare no competing interests.
Did the harm stop?
KfW's 2017 evaluation recorded that deforestation had risen again in recent years and that protected-area protection was at risk from budget restrictions; the 2023 study states that protected areas in the Amazon are threatened if deforestation continues unabated.
Who paid?
The Brazilian government, WWF and partners are described as committing "$215 million" to the Transition Fund in 2014; funders named include KfW, the Global Environment Facility through the World Bank, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Amazon Fund/BNDES, the Inter-American Development Bank and Brazilian state governments. In 2025 the German government, the World Bank, the Moore Foundation, AngloAmerican and WWF were named as donors of an additional US$120 million.
Sources
Government and regulators
- Ex post evaluation - Brazil: Funding for Protected Areas and Sustainable Resource Management in Amazonia -- ARPA (IKI project)KfW Development Bank, Evaluation · 2017
- Support for Protected Areas in Amazonia (ARPA)International Climate Initiative (IKI) · undated
- Amazon Fund: Independent evaluationsAmazon Fund (BNDES) · undated
Press and investigations
- £125m raised for world's largest protected area of rainforestPositive News · 2014-07-18
Communities and civil society
- ARPA PROGRAMFunbio (Brazilian Biodiversity Fund) · undated
- New fund a major boost for Amazon protectionWWF Canada · 2014-05-22
Researchers
- Contribution of the Amazon protected areas program to forest conservation (Soares-Filho et al.), Biological Conservation 279 (2023) 109928, copy hosted by WWF-BrasilBiological Conservation (Elsevier) · 2023-02-06
Connected cases
- Amazon Fund (Fundo Amazônia), managed by BNDES: donations, projects, the 2019–2022 freeze and the restart Brazil · 2008–2026 Related matter
- Government of Brazil (Government) — here: Launched and coordinates the programme through the Ministry of Environment; there: Government that changed the fund's governance in 2019 and was ordered to reactivate it in 2022
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: German development bank; donor-side author of the 2016 ex-post evaluation
- Herencia Colombia (Heritage Colombia): Project Finance for Permanence for protected areas, 2022 Colombia · 2022–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Donor named by the Ministry
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Donor named by the Ministry, through the World Bank
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Founding partner; accredited entity of the GCF project through World Wildlife Fund, Inc.
- Canaima National Park: fire suppression for the Guri catchment, mining pressure and the UNESCO decisions Venezuela · 1981–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Funder of cancelled project 2103
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Implementing agency of GEF project 2103
- Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), hosted by the GEF Global · 2023–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Operates the GBFF
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Trustee
- Global Environment Facility Trust Fund: replenishments and independent evaluation Global · 1991–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: The Facility; financial mechanism for six environmental conventions; replenished every four years
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Trustee of the GEF Trust Fund; Agency
- Great Green Wall: USD 19bn tracked, USD 2.5bn disbursed by March 2023, and a restored area reported at between 1.66 and almost 18 million hectares Sahel (11 countries) · 2007–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Donor; land restoration pillar USD 236 million
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Committed USD 5.6bn in the 11 countries
- Mekong sand mining (Cambodia, Vietnam) Cambodia and Vietnam · 2007–2026
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: NGO; sand budget and ten-year stock estimate for the delta
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Inspection Panel finding on Boeung Kak land titling; lending freeze 2011
- Messok Dja ecoguard abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2008–2020
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Funder (project 9159)
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Supported the ecoguards (ETIC/TRIDOM programme); appointed the review panel
- Nepal community forestry Nepal · 2000–2026
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Lead of the Hariyo Ban conservation programme in Nepal
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Funder of carbon payments (Forest Carbon Partnership Facility)
- Olkaria geothermal projects (Kenya) Kenya · 2013–2017
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Financier
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Financier; its Inspection Panel reviewed the resettlement
- Peru's Natural Legacy (Patrimonio Natural del Perú): Project Finance for Permanence for Amazon protected areas, 2019 Peru · 2019–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Funder of the linked GEF project and a donor to the initiative
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Initiator and funder; accredited entity of the GCF project
- Salonga National Park ranger abuses (DR Congo) DR Congo · 2002–2020
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: German development bank; funder of Salonga
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Co-manager of Salonga National Park (since an August 2015 memorandum of understanding)
- Venezuela tree cover loss, 2001–2024, and international forest finance Venezuela · 2001–2024
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Funder of six Venezuelan projects
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Agency for GEF project 2103
- WWF-funded ranger units accused of torture and killings in Asia and Africa Multiple countries · 2006–2023
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Funder of Kahuzi-Biega park, per the Minority Rights Group report
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Funded and equipped the ranger units; commissioned the Pillay panel
- 1991 World Bank memo signed by Lawrence Summers on pollution in Africa Africa (regional) · 1991–1993
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Institution that issued the internal memo
- Afforestation of the dried Aral Sea bed in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan · 2018–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Donor of the restoration-value study
- AGRA (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) Africa (13 focus countries) · 2006
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Former employer of AGRA's president
- Alter do Chão and Dia do Fogo fire allegations Brazil · 2019–2024
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Named in an allegation of financing fires; the allegation was found false
- Amazon Soy Moratorium Brazil · 2006–2026
- WWF-Brasil (NGO) — here: Implementing partner; co-author of the 2023 impact study; there: NGO
- Artisanal gold in Mali: mercury use and its money (Minamata National Action Plan) Mali · 2018–2020
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Funded the plan
- Asiatic cheetah conservation project in Iran: 25 years of funding and a count of 26 animals Iran · 2000–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Approved the US$725,000 Phase I grant
- Banc d'Arguin National Park, the BACoMaB trust fund and fishing pressure Mauritania · 2002–2025
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Funder; 47% of BACoMaB capital in the 2021 evaluation
- Bhutan constitutional forest rule and Bhutan for Life Bhutan · 2008
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Partner in Bhutan for Life
- Bloomberg, Steyer and Bezos money shapes coal and nature campaigns United States · 2008–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Intergovernmental environment fund; CI and WWF-US are its implementing agencies
- Bolsa Verde (Brazil): quarterly payments to families for forest conservation, 2011–2016 and the 2023 relaunch Brazil · 2011–2026
- Government of Brazil (Government) — here: Launched and coordinates the programme through the Ministry of Environment; there: Funds and runs the programme through the Ministry of Environment
- Brazil removes space research chief after Amazon deforestation alerts Brazil · 2019
- Government of Brazil (Government) — here: Launched and coordinates the programme through the Ministry of Environment; there: removed the INPE director
- Burkina Faso Forest Investment Program project: 3.78 million tCO2eq in emission reductions estimated with an ex-ante tool Burkina Faso · 2014–2021
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Administered the grants; completion report and rating
- Cambodia fills Phnom Penh's Boeung Kak lake with sand under 99-year lease Cambodia · 2007–2011
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: lender whose land-titling programme was reviewed
- Caspian sturgeon and caviar: trade suspensions, fishing bans and the move to farmed caviar Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran) · 1998–2026
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Commented on the 2006 quota freeze; co-authored the 2018 TRAFFIC/WWF report
- Chad–Cameroon pipeline and Doba oil fields: World Bank conditions, revenue law, Inspection Panel and 2023 nationalisation Chad · 1999–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Lender; set the revenue-law and safeguard conditions; withdrew in 2008
- Dalyan / Iztuzu Beach, Türkiye: Kaunos Beach Hotel project stopped (1987) Türkiye · 1987
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Protested; its president asked for a moratorium
- Destruction of the Kakhovka dam and drainage of the Kakhovka reservoir (June 2023) Ukraine · 2023–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Co-author of RDNA3 and RDNA4
- Electricity and diesel for groundwater pumping in Iran: subsidies and payments Iran · 2014–2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Published the 2023 diagnostic citing the IMF subsidy estimate
- Green Belt Movement and Karura Forest, Kenya Kenya · 1977–2023
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Signed a carbon-credit agreement with the Green Belt Movement
- Hill & Knowlton and Edelman: PR for fossil fuel clients and climate summits Egypt · 2005–2025
- Government of Brazil (Government) — here: Launched and coordinates the programme through the Ministry of Environment; there: host of the COP30 summit; awarded Edelman a contract
- Ho Chi Minh City canal restoration demolished about 7,000 households Vietnam · 1993–2012
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: lender of the first-phase loan
- India's 1975–77 Emergency sterilisation drive drew a $66 million World Bank loan India · 1975–1977
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Lender
- Iran associated-gas flaring and flare-gas recovery contracts Iran · 2012–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Publishes the satellite-based flare estimates and tracker report
- Jamaica catastrophe bonds and the Hurricane Melissa payout Jamaica · 2021–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Issuer and arranger of the catastrophe bonds
- Jamaica's World Bank catastrophe bond did not pay after Hurricane Beryl Jamaica · 2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Brokered the bond
- Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Batwa evictions and killings DR Congo · 1975–2024
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Funder (since 2008)
- Kaziranga shoot-on-sight killings (India) India · 2013–2017
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Five WWF India employees listed as an expert panel on the 2014 strategy proposal (BuzzFeed News)
- Kyparissia Bay (Thines Kyparissias), Greece: construction, roads and beach use at a loggerhead nesting site, CJEU C-504/14 (2016) Greece · 2010–2025
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Intervener before the Council of State (WWF Hellas)
- Lagos waterfront evictions (Otodo-Gbame, Badia East) and Eko Atlantic Nigeria · 2014–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Funder of a project in the Badia East area
- Legacy Landscapes Fund: long-term funding for protected areas, launched by Germany in 2020–2021 Germany · 2020–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ
- Loess Plateau Watershed Rehabilitation Project (World Bank, China), 1994 to 2005 China · 1994–2005
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Financed the project through an IDA credit and IBRD funding and published the case study and summary note
- Mbeubeuss landfill plan to hire 500 of more than 3,000 waste pickers Senegal · 2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: finances the Mbeubeuss rehabilitation, as reported
- Mongolia index livestock insurance Mongolia · 2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Author of the presentation describing the programme
- Mongolia's 2009 ban on mining at river headwaters and in forests: licence cancellations, compensation duty, 2015 amendment and artisanal gold-mining programmes Mongolia · 2009–2025
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: planetGOLD Mongolia
- Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol Global · 1991–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Implementing agency named in the 2004 evaluation
- Nature Conservancy began $10 million partnership with Dow Chemical in 2011 United States · 2007–2021
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: conservation group; relationship with Coca-Cola
- Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine: Gobi water, Undai River diversion, herder complaints and project finance Mongolia · 2004–2025
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Commercial lender (KfW IPEX-Bank, 2015 release)
- Pillay panel finds no proof WWF directed ranger abuses it supported Democratic Republic of the Congo · 2006–2020
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: NGO; funder and partner of the ranger units
- Plastic Bank and rePurpose collector schemes Global · 2017–2025
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: NGO; published position on plastic crediting
- Plastic credits and Philippines PCX Philippines · 2020–2025
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Critic of plastic-neutral claims
- Rabobank co-financed a Brazilian eucalyptus carbon plantation contested by locals Brazil · 2003–2008
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: operator of the carbon fund
- Rio Grande do Sul flood claims paid reach R$6 billion as farm insurance subsidy is cut Brazil · 2024–2025
- Government of Brazil (Government) — here: Launched and coordinates the programme through the Ministry of Environment; there: Blocked the premium subsidy for 2025
- Russia declares WWF and Greenpeace 'undesirable' organisations Russia · 2023
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Designated undesirable on 21 June 2023
- Sengwer evictions from Embobut forest and the EU Water Towers programme (Kenya) Kenya · 2014–2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Funder of an earlier forest project (2007)
- Socio Bosque programme, Ecuador: payments for forest conservation since 2008 Ecuador · 2008–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation; there: Contributed US$11.5 million through the FAN (Ministry figure reported by El Comercio)
- Sri Lanka fertiliser ban Sri Lanka · 2021
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Source of the paddy yield figure
- TNC chief scientist urged conservation groups to partner with companies United States · 2011–2015
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Coca-Cola partner from 2007 (reported)
- Tree felling under the Tashkent moratorium: damage assessments, prosecutor cases and ministry counts Uzbekistan · 2020–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Tashkent air quality assessment (context)
- Ukraine's mine contamination, the farmland demining programme and mine-action money Ukraine · 2022–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: RDNA damage and needs assessments
- Ulaanbaatar winter air pollution: stove programmes, the 2019 raw-coal ban and subsidised briquettes Mongolia · 2008–2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Ulaanbaatar Clean Air Project
- Uzbek cotton boycott ends forced labour Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Lender (USD 800 million, October 2025)
- Venezuela gas flaring and methane from oil and gas Venezuela · 2012–2026
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Publishes the Global Gas Flaring Tracker; changed its method in June 2026
- World Bank $100m plastic waste bond tied to Verra credit sales Multiple countries · 2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: issuer of the bond
- World Bank $800m Uzbekistan operation; Tanzania project halted Uzbekistan · 2017–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: lender; policy operation and REGROW financier
- World Bank and development bank accountability mechanisms: Embobut (Sengwer), Tata Mundra, Arun III, Jale, Cambodia Kenya · 2007–2024
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Funder of the Kenya project; hosts the Inspection Panel
- World Bank inspection panel registers complaint over Rogun dam financing Tajikistan · 2024–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: financier
- World Bank REGROW project, Ruaha National Park Tanzania · 2017–2025
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Financier of the REGROW project
- World Bank US$600m farm loan coincided with a 90% fall in farm support Turkey · 2001–2003
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Lender of the US$600m loan
- World Bank-backed Colombo flood work turned Beddagana wetland into a park Sri Lanka · 2010–2018
- World Bank (International organisation) — here: Channel for GEF funding to ARPA; there: Funder whose support backed the programme
- World Bank-backed dams displaced people, and reviews found incomes often not restored Global · 1985–2018
- Government of Brazil (Government) — here: Launched and coordinates the programme through the Ministry of Environment; there: Host government for the Itaparica and Sobradinho dams
- WWF independent review (Pillay panel) and US funding suspension International · 2019–2020
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Commissioned the independent review; grantee under US review
- WWF Nepal Chitwan ranger death (Shikharam Chaudhary) Nepal · 2006–2020
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Conservation NGO; funder and supporter of ranger units
- WWF president Prince Bernhard resigned in 1976 after a Lockheed commission surfaced Netherlands · 1970–1976
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: charity whose president resigned
- WWF-supported ecoguards in Cameroon and CAR (Lobéké, Dzanga-Sangha) Cameroon · 2008–2020
- WWF (NGO) — here: Donor and announcer of the 2014 Transition Fund; there: Trained and paid ecoguards in Lobéké; commissioned the independent panel
- Zagros oak forests: the UNDP/GEF Central Zagros project, its evaluation and the fires of 2024–2026 Iran · 2005–2026
- Global Environment Facility (International organisation) — here: Donor to ARPA through the World Bank; there: Funded the project with US$3,687,803