Lake Urmia decline and the Urmia Lake Restoration Program
- My higher salinity stresses brine shrimp and other food sources, and I lost habitat for flamingos, white pelicans and white-headed ducks, according to NASA. NASA Earth Observatory
- Dust from my exposed lakebed has been linked to health effects, according to NASA, which cites Feizizadeh and co-authors (2023). NASA Earth Observatory
- In November 2025 I held 240 million m³ of water, against 36 billion m³ in June 1995, according to the West Azerbaijan Department of Environment. Aftab News
- Researchers Schulz et al. (2020), Scientific Reports: Water-level variations over the analysed period "were mainly triggered by climatic changes"; under the current climate agricultural withdrawals are large relative to remaining inflow, so changing them could stabilise the lake or lead to collapse. Schulz et al., Scientific Reports (Europe PMC record)
- Researchers AghaKouchak et al. (2015), Journal of Great Lakes Research: The decline was mainly due to water-resources development, agriculture and upstream competition for water; drought alone does not explain it. AghaKouchak et al., Journal of Great Lakes Research
- Government and regulators Ministry of Energy study, as cited in the Majlis investigation report: 69% of the decline was due to water-resource management; the Majlis report said ULRP reports played down human factors. SNN (Student News Network)
- Press and investigations Tehran Times, February 2023: Gave two splits without reconciling them: 18% climate and 82% water mismanagement, and 31% natural and 69% human. Tehran Times
- Researchers NASA Earth Observatory, October 2023: The relative effects of climate, water use and dams are debated. NASA Earth Observatory
- Researchers NASA Earth Observatory, October 2023: The 10-year programme began in 2013 and produced some recovery, but strong rains fell in the same period; some research concluded that climate was primarily responsible. NASA Earth Observatory
- Government and regulators Department of Environment head Issa Kalantari, July 2021: Reported "98 percent" restoration progress. Tehran Times
Lake Urmia in north-west Iran lost about 90% of its area in the two decades after 1995, according to NASA. A state restoration programme set up in 2013 is reported with differing spending totals, and a Majlis investigation report on it was sent to the judiciary in May 2024.
NASA reported a level drop of more than 7 m and a loss of about 90% of the lake's area over the two decades after 1995. The West Azerbaijan Department of Environment reported a lowest recorded volume of 240 million m³ in November 2025, against 36 billion m³ in June 1995.
Status As of October 2026: level about 1,270.58 m; the Majlis investigation report was referred to the judiciary in May 2024, with no charge or court outcome on record.
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute — Received 32,066 million rials of programme credits, which the Majlis investigation report said were used outside legal rules (allegation) SNN (Student News Network)
- Farmers and community members in the Japan–UNDP phases — 12,000 trained, water use reduced by 25%, and 750 women given green jobs through a micro-credit fund, according to UN Iran United Nations Iran
- Irrigated agriculture in the basin — Irrigated farmland in West Azerbaijan grew by 18,000 ha and wells rose by about 20,000 during the restoration period (Majlis investigation report) SNN (Student News Network)
- State funding sources — National Development Fund (55%), crisis-management credits (35%) and annual national budget (10%) of about 51,977 billion rials in total project funding (Majlis investigation report) SNN (Student News Network)
- Lake Urmia — Area down about 90% and level down more than 7 m in the two decades after 1995 (NASA) NASA Earth Observatory
- Brine shrimp, flamingos, white pelicans and white-headed ducks — Higher salinity stressed brine shrimp and other food sources; habitat lost for the three bird species (NASA) NASA Earth Observatory
- Communities exposed to dust from the lakebed — Health effects linked to dust, citing Feizizadeh et al. (2023) (NASA) NASA Earth Observatory
- Little Zab users in Iraq's Kurdistan Region — Water shortages in Qaladze after Iran restricted Little Zab flow on 2 June (Rudaw, 2018) Rudaw
What happened
Lake Urmia is a hypersaline lake in north-west Iran, between West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan provinces. NASA Earth Observatory reported that over the two decades after its 1995 high the level dropped by more than 7 m and the lake lost about 90 percent of its area. AghaKouchak and co-authors (2015) used a satellite composite to estimate about 88% shrinkage, against earlier estimates of 25–50%. NASA compared Landsat images of 6 and 8 September 2020, when the basin was mostly full, with one of 7 September 2023, when it was mostly a dry salt flat; it said above-average precipitation had refilled the basin and drier conditions then lowered it again.
In 2013 the government set up the Urmia Lake Restoration Program (ULRP; in Persian, the Lake Urmia Revival Headquarters). Its funding came from the National Development Fund, the annual budget and crisis-management credits, with grants from Japan through UNDP. NASA stated that the 10-year programme produced some recovery but that strong rains fell in the same period, and that some research concluded climate was primarily responsible for the recovery. Construction of the Kani Sib–Lake Urmia water-transfer tunnel, about 36 km long, began in 2015; the Tehran Times reported its first phase (300 million m³ a year) on stream in February 2023, with a second phase planned to raise the transfer to 600 million m³ a year.
Sources give differing totals for the money allocated and spent. The ULRP planning office director said 4.6 trillion rials had been spent from October 2013 to May 2020 (the Tehran Times stated this as more than US$1 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials; Eghtesad Online gave the same official figure as 4,600 billion toman). A provincial ULRP director gave total allocations to the basin of 2,226 billion toman by March 2018, and the ULRP planning office gave 15,000 billion toman as actually spent in August 2021. The Majlis investigation report of May 2024 put total project funding at about 51,977 billion rials, of which the National Development Fund provided 55%, crisis-management credits 35% and the annual national budget 10%.
On 16 June 2022 Supreme Audit Court prosecutor Ali Kamyar said at a press conference in Urmia that the previous government had promoted the revival more than it had worked on it, and that in some sectors actual spending was one quarter of the amounts claimed. The Majlis approved an investigation into the ULRP on 12 July 2022. On 21 May 2024 the chamber voted to send the final investigation report to the judiciary "to address violations". The investigation report of the Majlis Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Environment Committee said programme indicators had reached less than 25% of the main goal; that many projects lacked technical and economic evaluation; that the sewage-to-lake transfer was not completed and some of its funds were spent elsewhere or returned to the treasury; that many contracts were awarded without tender; and that credits to the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute were used outside legal rules. These are the committee's allegations; no court proceeding, charge or outcome has been reported.
Lake levels fell again after the 2016–2020 recovery. Iran International's summary reported the lake fully dry in September 2024; Iran International reported the lake at 1,269.74 m, 581 km² and about 0.5 billion m³ on 1 August 2025. The West Azerbaijan Department of Environment reported a record low of 1,269.44 m, 456 km² and 240 million m³ in November 2025, and by June 2026 a volume of 4.28 billion m³ at 1,271.13 m. In October 2026 the East Azerbaijan Regional Water Company reported a level about 110 cm above the same time a year earlier, at about 1,270.58 m, an area of about 1,946 km² and a volume of about 2.52 billion m³.
- 1995Highest recorded level, 1,278.40 m, area about 6,900 km² and volume 36 billion m³ (West Azerbaijan Department of Environment, June 2026)
- 2013Urmia Lake Restoration Program set up
- 2015Construction of the Kani Sib–Lake Urmia tunnel begins
- 2016Partial recovery in a run of wet years (to 2020)
- 2020ULRP planning office reports 4.6 trillion rials spent since October 2013 (3 May: volume over 5 billion m³)
- 2021Department of Environment head reports "98 percent" restoration progress (July); ULRP planning office gives 15,000 billion toman as spent (August)
- 2022Supreme Audit Court prosecutor's statement (16 June); Majlis approves an investigation into the ULRP (12 July)
- 2023First phase of the Kani Sib–Lake Urmia water transfer on stream (February); lake mostly a dry salt flat on 7 September, per NASA
- 2024Majlis votes to send the investigation report to the judiciary (21 May)
- 2025Lowest recorded volume, 240 million m³, in November
- 2026Volume about 2.52 billion m³ on 11 October (East Azerbaijan Regional Water Company)
What was said
“a sharp and unprecedented decline from last year”
“the lake's condition is currently being stabilized”
“very promising”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Total allocations to the basin of 2,226 billion toman, of which 1,024 billion toman came from the National Development Fund and 1,200 billion toman from budget Articles 10 and 12.
Donya-e-Eqtesad4.6 trillion rials spent from October 2013 to May 2020, stated as more than US$1 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials.
Tehran TimesThe same official figure as 4,600 billion toman; 15,000 billion toman stated as actually spent by the ULRP planning office (August 2021); 11,000 billion toman over seven years attributed to Issa Kalantari; 6,000 billion toman spent by December 2020 (provincial office director).
Eghtesad Online150 trillion rials earmarked over seven years.
Tehran Times2,000 billion toman allocated and paid in the year; the previous government allocated about 8,000 billion toman; the Raisi government over 5,000 billion toman including that year.
Hamshahri OnlineTotal project funding of about 51,977 billion rials.
SNN (Student News Network)Water-level variations over the analysed period "were mainly triggered by climatic changes"; under the current climate agricultural withdrawals are large relative to remaining inflow, so changing them could stabilise the lake or lead to collapse.
Schulz et al., Scientific Reports (Europe PMC record)The decline was mainly due to water-resources development, agriculture and upstream competition for water; drought alone does not explain it.
AghaKouchak et al., Journal of Great Lakes Research69% of the decline was due to water-resource management; the Majlis report said ULRP reports played down human factors.
SNN (Student News Network)Gave two splits without reconciling them: 18% climate and 82% water mismanagement, and 31% natural and 69% human.
Tehran TimesThe relative effects of climate, water use and dams are debated.
NASA Earth ObservatoryThe 10-year programme began in 2013 and produced some recovery, but strong rains fell in the same period; some research concluded that climate was primarily responsible.
NASA Earth ObservatoryReported "98 percent" restoration progress.
Tehran TimesProgramme indicators reached less than 25% of the main goal; shortcomings in implementation, oversight and goal-setting.
Iran International"98 percent" restoration progress.
Tehran TimesDescribed the lake's condition as "very promising", with volume 18 times the November 2025 low.
Aftab NewsHow it looked
Shown
- The lake's condition was being stabilized; volume over 5 billion m³ on 3 May 2020, with 9.5 billion m³ still needed to reach the ecological level of 1,274.10 mULRP planning office, via IRNA · Tehran Times
- "98 percent" restoration progress, with the ecological level expected by March 2022; area 2,917 km² and level 1,271 mIssa Kalantari, head of the Department of Environment · Tehran Times
- Earlier phases of the Japan–UNDP partnership trained 12,000 farmers and community members, reduced water use by 25%, raised irrigation efficiency by almost 42% and gave 750 women green jobs through a micro-credit fundUN Iran, reporting results of the Japan–UNDP partnership · United Nations Iran
- Drought was one of the main factors; the lake would dry fully by the end of summer if conditions continuedAhmadreza Lahijanzadeh, Department of Environment deputy · Iran International
Recorded
- Level fell by more than 7 m and area by about 90% in the two decades after 1995 (NASA Earth Observatory, October 2023)
- Volume 36 billion m³ in June 1995; lowest recorded 240 million m³ in November 2025 (West Azerbaijan Department of Environment)
- Wells in West Azerbaijan rose by about 20,000 to 144,572 and irrigated farmland grew by 18,000 ha during the restoration period (Majlis investigation report)
- No Lake Urmia budget line in the 1397 (2018/19) Iranian budget (ULRP provincial director Farhad Sarkhosh)
- Of 800 billion toman allocated for 1395 (2016/17), about half had been paid by the end of 1396 (March 2018); of 13 water-treatment and transfer projects only two were under construction (Masoud Tajrishi, September 2018)
- Majlis investigation report: programme indicators reached less than 25% of the main goal; use of international funding unclear; many projects lacked technical and economic evaluation
- Japan's seventh contribution to UNDP Iran was US$1 million (UN Iran, 22 April 2020)
- Eghtesad Online (October 2021) said the multi-million-dollar Japanese donations "could not be traced"
- Rudaw reported in 2018 water shortages in Qaladze, in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, after Iran restricted Little Zab flow on 2 June; no named Iraqi official was quoted
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- ulrp (May 2020): The lake's condition was being stabilized; volume over 5 billion m³ on 3 May 2020. · Tehran Times
- ulrp (September 2018): The headquarters fell behind its plans for lack of funds, completed stabilisation with two years of funding, and prioritised lower-cost projects. · Taadol newspaper
- iran-doe (July 2021): Reported "98 percent" restoration progress and expected the ecological level by March 2022. · Tehran Times
- iran-doe (August 2025): Drought was one of the main factors; the lake would dry fully by the end of summer if conditions continued. · Iran International
- iran-supreme-audit-court (16 June 2022): Its prosecutor said the previous government promoted the revival more than it worked on it, and that in some sectors actual spending was one quarter of the amounts claimed. · Eghtesad Online
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2022–2024Outcome not on recordMajlis investigation into the Urmia Lake Restoration ProgramIslamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Environment Committee; report referred to the judiciary · Administrative · Majlis Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Environment Committee → Urmia Lake Restoration Program (positions referred to: the First Vice President as head and the Department of Environment head as secretary)
The Majlis approved the investigation on 12 July 2022. On 21 May 2024 the chamber voted to send the final report to the judiciary "to address violations". The committee's allegations were: programme indicators below 25% of the main goal; many projects without technical and economic evaluation; the sewage-to-lake transfer not completed and some of its funds spent elsewhere or returned to the treasury; many contracts awarded without tender; credits to the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute (32,066 million rials) used outside legal rules; and spending on staff trips, a bus and conference equipment lacking transparency. No charge or court proceeding has been reported. SNN (Student News Network)
- 2022–Outcome not on recordSupreme Audit Court prosecutor's statement on ULRP-era spendingSupreme Audit Court (press conference in Urmia, 16 June 2022) · Administrative · Supreme Audit Court prosecutor Ali Kamyar → Previous government's restoration spending
The prosecutor said the previous government promoted the revival more than it worked on it and that in some sectors actual spending was one quarter of the amounts claimed. The statement was made at a press conference. Eghtesad Online
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Nature
Court
Accounts
Record
- Unclear Figures differ: the Tehran Times reported the ULRP planning office's May 2020 spending as 4.6 trillion rials, stated as more than US$1 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials; Eghtesad Online (October 2021) gave the same official figure as 4,600 billion toman.
- Disputed Figures differ: SNN gives the Majlis investigation's total project funding as 51,977 billion rials; Iran International (Persian) gives "about 51 billion rials".
- Disputed Figures differ: the Tehran Times (February 2023) gives the Kani Sib tunnel cost as 35 trillion rials, stated as about US$77 million; other outlets have given about US$200 million (Iran Times) and US$340 million (Trend).
- Unclear Unclear: how the Japanese grants were used. Eghtesad Online (October 2021) said the donations could not be traced; the Majlis investigation report said the use of international funding was unclear.
- None on record None on record: charges or a court outcome after the May 2024 referral.
- Disputed Disputed: the cause of the decline and of the 2016–2020 recovery (see disputes).
Did the harm stop?
The decline continued after the programme began: the lake reached its lowest recorded volume in November 2025, and the East Azerbaijan Regional Water Company reported about 2.52 billion m³ in October 2026.
Who paid?
The lake and the dust-exposed communities around it bore the loss. State funds (National Development Fund, annual budget, crisis-management credits) and Japanese grants through UNDP paid for the programme; sources give differing totals.
Sources
Government and regulators
- Lake Urmia Shrivels AgainNASA Earth Observatory · 2023-10-10
Press and investigations
- Over $1b spent so far to revitalize Lake UrmiaTehran Times · 2020-05-04
- Some $3.5b spent on Lake Urmia revitalizationTehran Times · 2021-07-27
- Lake Urmia water transfer project inauguratedTehran Times · 2023-02-24
- Lake Urmia's level 23cm above lowest recorded everTehran Times · 2025-05-27
- Lake Urmia (interview summary with Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh)Iran International · 2025-08-10
- Majlis investigation report on the ULRP sent to the judiciary (Persian)Iran International · 2024-05-21
- Investigation into the ULRP's performance sent to the judiciary (Persian)SNN (Student News Network) · 2024-05-21
- Northwest MPs' letter to the Leader and President on Lake Urmia (Persian)Hamshahri Online · 2023-11-29
- The Rouhani government's spending in some sectors was only a quarter of what it claimed (Persian)Eghtesad Online · 2022-06-16
- Obstacle to the revival of Lake Urmia (Persian)Donya-e-Eqtesad · 2018-03-11
- Lake Urmia revival falls behind for lack of funds (Persian; citing ISNA)Taadol newspaper · 2018-09-15
- Lake Urmia's volume rose 18-fold (Persian)Aftab News · 2026-06-09
- 110 cm rise in Lake Urmia's level (Persian)Mehr News Agency · 2026-10-11
Researchers
- Aral Sea syndrome desiccates Lake Urmia: Call for actionAghaKouchak et al., Journal of Great Lakes Research · 2015-03
- Climate change or irrigated agriculture: what drives the water level decline of Lake UrmiaSchulz et al., Scientific Reports (Europe PMC record) · 2020-01-14
International bodies
- Government of Japan–UNDP partnership on Lake Urmia restoration enters 7th phaseUnited Nations Iran · 2020-04-22
Connected cases
- Hamoun wetlands, Helmand water and the EU/UNDP restoration project Iran · 1973–2025 Related matter
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: National executing agency of the project
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Party to the 1973 Helmand treaty
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Implementer of the EU-funded project
- Hoor al-Azim wetland, oil-field development and dikes in Khuzestan Iran · 2007–2026 Related matter
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Environment regulator; officials' 2021 accounts
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Government of Iran
- Gotvand dam on the Karun: a reservoir on a salt formation Iran · 1996–2021 Related matter
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Said the environmental impact study was never submitted
- Persian Gulf and Oman Sea desalinated water transfer to Kerman, Yazd and Isfahan Iran · 2016–2025 Related matter
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Ordered the lines into operation; ministers made statements
- Zayandeh Rud and the Gavkhouni wetland: water transfers and farmers' protests in Isfahan Iran · 1953–2025 Related matter
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Promised farmers' aid and compensation
- Asiatic cheetah conservation project in Iran: 25 years of funding and a count of 26 animals Iran · 2000–2026
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Executing agency; funded the project alone from December 2017
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: GEF agency for Phase I; led Phase II; support ended December 2017
- Iran's Clean Air Law and urban air pollution in Tehran and Ahvaz Iran · 2017–2025
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Responsible for 60 provisions of the law
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Budget allocations for the law
- Iran's Groundwater Restoration and Balancing Plan: unlicensed wells, sealing, meters and budgets Iran · 2005–2026
- Supreme Audit Court of Iran (Public authority) — here: Prosecutor's 2022 statement on spending; there: Approved the 1403 budget-liquidation report incl. water and meters
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Government; plan and budget bills
- Mazut burning in Iranian power plants, 2020–2025 Iran · 2020–2026
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Environmental regulator; low-sulfur mazut programme
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Presidency; decisions on mazut use
- South Pars and Assaluyeh: sulphur dioxide emissions and the pollution levy Iran · 2005–2026
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Regulator; filed court cases and costed damages
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Cabinet approved the improvement document and the 2020 decision
- Zagros oak forests: the UNDP/GEF Central Zagros project, its evaluation and the fires of 2024–2026 Iran · 2005–2026
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Allocated 13,193,669 to the project
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Implementing agency of the Central Zagros project
- Afforestation of the dried Aral Sea bed in Uzbekistan Uzbekistan · 2018–2026
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Publisher of the trust fund's financial report (UNDP MPTF Office)
- Costa Rica payments for ecosystem services and forest recovery Costa Rica · 1997
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Nominated the programme for the Earthshot Prize
- Crude-oil pipeline spills into Khuzestan rivers: Karkheh 2009 and Marun 2025 Iran · 2009–2025
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Regulator; decided not to fine in 2009; demanded repairs in 2025
- Daldykan River turns red near Norilsk, September 2016 Russia · 2016
- NASA Earth Observatory (Public authority) — here: Satellite assessment of the lake; there: Published Landsat imagery of the discoloration
- Desalination plants hit in the 2026 war: Qeshm Island and Bahrain Iran · 2026
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Foreign minister's statement on Qeshm
- Electricity and diesel for groundwater pumping in Iran: subsidies and payments Iran · 2014–2024
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Sets energy prices; Majlis ordered the Central Bank funding
- Fukushima nuclear damage compensation financing (Japan) Japan · 2011–2025
- Government of Japan (Government) — here: Grants through UNDP; there: Issuer of bonds; held 50.11% of TEPCO voting rights from 2012
- Fukushima treated water discharge and Chinese seafood ban Japan · 2023–2025
- Government of Japan (Government) — here: Grants through UNDP; there: Authorised the discharge; set up seafood funds
- Hyrcanian forests logging moratorium: announced budgets, partial allocation and the 2025 Elit fire Iran · 2015–2025
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Enacted the ban and set the budgets
- Indus Waters Treaty suspension India / Pakistan · 2025
- NASA Earth Observatory (Public authority) — here: Satellite assessment of the lake; there: Published the GRACE aquifer summary (context)
- Iran associated-gas flaring and flare-gas recovery contracts Iran · 2012–2026
- Supreme Audit Court of Iran (Public authority) — here: Prosecutor's 2022 statement on spending; there: Audit findings on flaring volumes and value
- Iran hunting permits for wild sheep and wild goat: Department of Environment prices for foreign hunters, 2018–2025 Iran · 2013–2025
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Issues the hunting quotas and permits
- Iran–Iraq war (1980–88): environmental damage recorded by the UN expert team in 1991 and Iran's damage estimate Iran · 1980–1991
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Source of the damage figures; later reparations demands
- Iran's 2026 war-damage estimate of about USD 270bn and its calls for compensation and environmental accountability Iran · 2026
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Source of the damage estimate and the compensation demands
- Japan plans cross-border CO2 storage in Malaysia by 2030 Malaysia · 2026–2030
- Government of Japan (Government) — here: Grants through UNDP; there: plans the storage and the deduction
- Lake Maracaibo chronic oil leaks Venezuela · 2010–2026
- NASA Earth Observatory (Public authority) — here: Satellite assessment of the lake; there: Satellite imagery of slicks, 2021
- Lake Valencia: rising level, sewage and compensation for flooded homes Venezuela · 1976–2023
- NASA Earth Observatory (Public authority) — here: Satellite assessment of the lake; there: Dated the level rise to 1976 and linked algal blooms to untreated wastewater
- Land subsidence on the Tehran plain and across Iran Iran · 1968–2025
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Government; ministries and the Cartographic Center report subsidence data
- Landmines and explosive remnants of the Iran–Iraq war in Iran's western provinces Iran · 1980–2025
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Runs the state demining programme
- Messok Dja ecoguard abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2008–2020
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Implementing agency of GEF project 9159; investigator (SECU0009)
- Mongolia's dzud winters and degraded pasture: emergency funding for herders Mongolia · 2010–2024
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Carcass removal and income generation, 2010
- Nornickel Sulphur Programme: SO2 targets, spending and measured emissions at Norilsk and Kola Russia · 2015–2026
- NASA Earth Observatory (Public authority) — here: Satellite assessment of the lake; there: Quoted Nickolay Krotkov on Norilsk SO2 (2016)
- Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation conservationists: arrests, a death in custody and prison sentences, 2018–2024 Iran · 2018–2024
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress; there: Its head reported the government committee's finding
- Pillay panel finds no proof WWF directed ranger abuses it supported Democratic Republic of the Congo · 2006–2020
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: UN agency; draft investigation of Messok Dja
- Plans to move Iran's capital to the Makran coast, 2024–2025 Iran · 2024–2025
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Proposed the relocation; president, vice president, spokeswoman and foreign minister made statements
- Rafsanjan pistachio plain: aquifer decline, subsidence and export revenue Iran · 1960–2025
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Government; ministries cited on pistachio exports and water markets
- Strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, 2025 and 2026: IAEA statements on contamination and the Bushehr reactor Iran · 2025–2026
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Foreign minister's statements on Bushehr
- Strikes on Iranian oil and gas facilities, June 2025 and March 2026, and damage at Qatar's Ras Laffan Iran · 2025–2026
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Owner of the struck facilities; source of the state-media accounts
- Strikes on Tehran fuel depots, March 2026: smoke, black rain and Iran's "ecocide" claim Iran · 2025–2026
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Characterised the attack as ecocide; wrote to the UN
- UN Compensation Commission "F4" environmental claims by Iran for the 1990–91 Gulf War Iran · 1990–2013
- Government of Iran (Government) — here: Funded the programme; there: Claimant
- Venezuela 2026 twin earthquakes insurance gap Venezuela · 2026
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Source of the $6.7 billion damage estimate
- Venezuela tree cover loss, 2001–2024, and international forest finance Venezuela · 2001–2024
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Agency for GEF projects 3609 and 3865 and GCF readiness
- WWF-funded ranger units accused of torture and killings in Asia and Africa Multiple countries · 2006–2023
- UN Development Programme (International organisation) — here: Implemented the Japanese-funded phases; there: Investigation into the Messok Dja park programme (leaked draft)
- Yakutia wildfire season of 2021: burned area and emissions Russia · 2021
- NASA Earth Observatory (Public authority) — here: Satellite assessment of the lake; there: Reported on smoke and emissions