Legacy Landscapes Fund: long-term funding for protected areas, launched by Germany in 2020–2021
- The record does not name which of my species, waters, soils or forests were harmed.
The Legacy Landscapes Fund (LLF), launched by Germany's development ministry, pays US$1 million a year for at least 15 years to selected protected areas and aims for 30 or more by 2030. The UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reviewed it in December 2025 on process only, with no scored results; the fund's September 2026 announcement gives US$300 million from three contributors and no capital total.
The fund's website reports 16 landscapes in 15 countries covering more than 500,000 km² in September 2026. The target is 30 or more by 2030.
Status As of September 2026: the fund reports 16 landscapes and a tri-lateral 300 million USD contribution; the UK Defra review of December 2025 assigned no score for results; no external evaluation or capital total is on record.
- Protected-area landscapes and their NGO managers — US$1 million a year for at least 15 years per site; Madidi and North Luangwa approved in 2021, 15 landscapes by December 2025 KfW Development Bank
- Donors — Public money matched by private partners: at least one third of costs covered privately (BMZ); the UK's £10.4 million matched by £5.2 million (Defra) German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
What happened
The Legacy Landscapes Fund is described by the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as launched in 2020 by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) as a multi-donor Conservation Trust Fund combining public and private finance, awarding grants to experienced NGOs that work with local communities, Indigenous organisations and protected-area authorities. It was launched at an event on 19 May 2021, when UNESCO reported that Germany had contributed 82.5 million euros, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation US$5 million and private sources about US$30 million pledged and earmarked, including the Rob and Melani Walton Foundation, the Wyss Foundation and the Arcadia Fund, against a goal of US$1 billion as soon as possible and support for at least 30 protected areas. Climate Home News reported on 20 May 2021 that the first US$100 million had been invested by the German government and several private donors. KfW reported on 4 November 2021 that the Supervisory Board had approved Madidi National Park in Bolivia (implemented by the Wildlife Conservation Society) and North Luangwa National Park in Zambia (Frankfurt Zoological Society), each to receive US$1 million a year for at least 15 years. BMZ states that at least one third of the costs is covered by private partners and that the fund supported 15 sites as at September 2024.
Defra's annual review for 2025, dated December 2025, records that Defra pledged up to £20 million at the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 in November 2024, had disbursed £10.4 million to the fund, and planned to disburse the remaining £9.6 million in December 2025. The review records that the UK funding was matched 2:1 by philanthropic funds, leveraging £5.2 million; that in 2024 the fund contractually secured approximately US$40.3 million of new funding, including the UK contribution; that the value of its financial assets increased by 8% in 2024 and its cumulative investment performance since 2021 was 9.9%; that its FY 2024/25 audit by Baker Tilly gave a clean opinion; and that administrative costs were below 8%. It records 15 landscapes approved by the Supervisory Board covering around 485,000 km², with a 16th (Nyika-Vwaza, Malawi) to begin in early 2026.
The Defra review is a process-based review and states that no score was assigned for impact reporting or landscape results because 2025 landscape reporting was not yet available and the 2024 results predated Defra's funding. It reports that the fund began monitoring carbon storage and biological integrity in 2024 with the Crowther Lab's SEED metric, giving a total carbon storage capacity of the portfolio of 18.36 gigatons and a biocomplexity score of 64%, and that over 60% of landscape KPIs were on target or on track. In the 2024 aggregated landscape results, 43% on track on knowing trends in key species populations; 14% on track and 7% on target on having management and business plans; and 36% on track and 21% on target on improved management effectiveness three years after selection. The review states that all recorded trends of key species surveyed at least once "show either stability or growth", with survey methods and intervals varying. Landscapes are to be evaluated externally every five years, the first from 2025 and those for Defra-funded landscapes from 2028. Defra also recorded that allegations of human rights abuses by park rangers employed by African Parks at Odzala-Kokoua in the Republic of Congo surfaced in early 2024, that an independent investigation by Omnia LLP concluded in May 2025, that its details remain confidential and that the fund was overseeing further assessment.
The fund's website reported on 24 September 2026 that the German Environment Minister had announced, at the 30x30 leaders' event at the United Nations, a tri-lateral contribution of 300 million USD to the fund; the page does not name the other two contributors or the split. It reports 16 Legacy Landscapes in 15 countries collectively covering more than 500,000 km², a 2025 annual report describing an expanding portfolio and increased financial commitments. No source reviewed states the fund's total capital.
- 2020Fund launched by the German development ministry (Defra review)
- 2021Launch event (19 May); Germany's 82.5 million euros, Moore US$5 million and about US$30 million private funds reported (UNESCO, 21 May); Madidi and North Luangwa approved (KfW, 4 November)
- 2024Defra pledges up to £20 million at CBD COP16 (November); fund contractually secures about US$40.3 million of new funding; BMZ reports 15 sites (September)
- 2025Defra annual review (December): £10.4 million disbursed, process-based score B, 15 landscapes; independent investigation into Odzala-Kokoua concluded (May)
- 2026Tri-lateral contribution of 300 million USD announced at the UN 30x30 event (23 September); five-year impact report published
What was said
“finance a diverse portfolio of 30+ outstanding protected areas by 2030”
“a tri-lateral 300 Million USD contribution”
“provide lasting, reliable core funding for at least 30 biodiversity hotspots in Africa, Asia and Latin America”
“In some cases, it is only because of indigenous people that we still have areas that are worth protecting”
“LLF is still refining systems for monitoring carbon, ecosystem services, biodiversity integrity, and other indicators.”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Called the wider 30x30 plan the "biggest land grab in history"; campaigners are concerned Indigenous communities could lose land and livelihoods.
Climate Home NewsIn some cases it is only because of Indigenous people that areas worth protecting remain.
Climate Home NewsAll programmes now engage Indigenous Peoples and local communities, with growing participation in protected-area management bodies; several risks at landscape level materialised into issues in 2025 and were reported through grievance mechanisms.
UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTrackerHow it looked
Shown
- The fund presented as a way to provide long-term, stable core funding to a minimum of 30 protected areas, covering basic management costs that governments often underfund.UNESCO World Heritage Centre, reporting the launch · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- The fund presented as having a goal of US$1 billion as soon as possible.UNESCO World Heritage Centre, reporting the launch · UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- The fund presented as supporting 16 Legacy Landscapes across 15 countries, collectively more than 500,000 km².Legacy Landscapes Fund, website · Legacy Landscapes Fund
Recorded
- The Defra annual review (December 2025) assigned an overall output score of B for a process-based review and no score for impact reporting or landscape results.
- The review records over 60% of landscape KPIs on target or on track, a carbon storage capacity of 18.36 gigatons for the portfolio and a biocomplexity score of 64%; it also records, for 2024, 14% on track and 7% on target on having management and business plans.
- The review states that results cannot be attributed to the fund alone and that it will not be feasible to isolate UK-funded results.
- No source reviewed gives the fund's total capital or total grants paid.
In nature's name
Promised
- “finance a diverse portfolio of 30+ outstanding protected areas by 2030” — Legacy Landscapes Fund, website (September 2026) Legacy Landscapes Fund
- “provide lasting, reliable core funding for at least 30 biodiversity hotspots in Africa, Asia and Latin America” — Gerd Müller, German minister, as reported by Climate Home News (20 May 2021) Climate Home News
- “Reach US$1 billion as soon as possible” — Legacy Landscapes Fund, goal reported by UNESCO World Heritage Centre (21 May 2021) UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Money moved in nature's name
| What | Kind | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-lateral contribution announced at the UN 30x30 leaders' event Germany and two other contributors Legacy Landscapes Fund | Pledged | $300m | announced 23 September 2026 |
| Germany's contribution at launch German government UNESCO World Heritage Centre | Pledged | €83m | 2021 |
| Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation contribution at launch Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation UNESCO World Heritage Centre | Pledged | $5m | 2021 |
| Private sources pledged and earmarked at launch Private foundations UNESCO World Heritage Centre | Pledged | $30m | 2021 |
| Defra pledge to the fund UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker | Pledged | £20m | November 2024 |
| Defra disbursed to the fund UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker | Paid out | £10m | to December 2025 |
| Philanthropic funding leveraged by the UK disbursement Philanthropic donors UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker | Raised | £5.2m | to December 2025 |
| New funding contractually secured in 2024, including the UK contribution Legacy Landscapes Fund UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker | Raised | $40m | 2024 |
| Grant per landscape Legacy Landscapes Fund KfW Development Bank | Budget | $1m | from 2021 |
What was measured
No independent measurement of benefit to nature was found. The UK government review is process-based and assigned no score to results; the KPI, carbon and biocomplexity figures it reports come from the fund's own reporting and are baselines, and the review states that results cannot be attributed to the fund alone. External evaluations of landscapes begin in 2025 for the first sites and 2028 for Defra-funded sites.
Operation Ongoing · Fund aims to fund landscapes in perpetuity; Defra's monitoring period runs to December 2033. UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker
Findings on record
- Official audit UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, annual review of the Legacy Landscapes Fund (process-based) (2025-12) · Defra Annual Review: Legacy Landscapes Fund, 2025: “LLF is still refining systems for monitoring carbon, ecosystem services, biodiversity integrity, and other indicators.” UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- Legacy Landscapes Fund (2021; September 2026): Reports 16 Legacy Landscapes in 15 countries, a 2025 annual report and a five-year impact report; its director said in 2021 that it is only because of Indigenous people that some areas are still worth protecting. · Legacy Landscapes Fund
- UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (December 2025): Assessed the fund as on track and good value for money in a process-based review and recommended disbursing the remaining £9.6 million; noted that the fund's impact measurement is still being refined. · UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker
- African Parks: No statement is recorded in the sources reviewed on the Odzala-Kokoua investigation.
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.
Accounts
- Disputed Whether funding protected areas under 30x30 risks Indigenous peoples losing land
Record
- None on record None on record: the fund's total capital. UNESCO (2021) and the fund's website (2026) give contributions and a goal of US$1 billion; none states capital raised or grants paid in total.
- None on record None on record: the split of the September 2026 tri-lateral contribution of 300 million USD. A social media post summarised by a search result gave 100 million USD each from Germany, the Rob Walton Foundation and the Wyss Foundation; no official page that could be opened states this.
- None on record None on record: an evaluation of the fund or of any landscape by an external evaluator; the fund states external evaluations every five years start in 2025, and Defra-funded landscapes in 2028.
- None on record None on record: the contents of the 'Five Years of Legacy Landscapes Fund' impact report (September 2026), which exceeds the size the reader tool could open.
- None on record None on record: details of the independent investigation (Omnia LLP) concluded in May 2025 into allegations of human rights abuses by park rangers at Odzala-Kokoua; Defra states the details remain confidential.
- Not measured Not measured: whether biodiversity or forest cover changed in funded landscapes because of the grants; Defra records baselines only and states results cannot be attributed to the fund alone.
- Disputed Conflicting: the amounts at launch. UNESCO reported 82.5 million euros from Germany, US$5 million from the Moore Foundation and about US$30 million of private pledges; Climate Home News reported that the first US$100 million had been invested by the German government and several private donors.
- Insufficient Unconfirmed: a further 100 million euros from BMZ in May 2022, cited from Rhein-Zeitung in a Wikipedia reference list.
- Unclear Conflicting: the number of sites. BMZ reported 15 (September 2024), Defra 15 plus one pending signature (December 2025), the fund's website 16 (September 2026).
Did the harm stop?
The sources reviewed do not report whether habitat or species loss in the funded landscapes has stopped; Defra records baselines and states the fund is still developing its monitoring.
Who paid?
Germany's development ministry started the fund (82.5 million euros at launch per UNESCO); private foundations including the Moore, Walton and Wyss foundations and the Arcadia Fund, the UK (up to £20 million, £10.4 million disbursed by December 2025) and others contributed. In September 2026 the fund reported a tri-lateral contribution of 300 million USD. Total capital is not on record.
Sources
Company or project
- Legacy Landscapes Fund (home page)Legacy Landscapes Fund · 2026-09-24
- Our impact report (Five Years of Legacy Landscapes Fund)Legacy Landscapes Fund · 2026-09
Government and regulators
- Defra Annual Review: Legacy Landscapes Fund (review date December 2025)UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, via FCDO DevTracker · 2025-12
- News from 2021-11-04: Legacy Landscapes Fund approves Madidi and North LuangwaKfW Development Bank · 2021-11-04
- Legacy Landscapes Fund (as at 09/09/2024)German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) · 2024-09-09
Press and investigations
- Germany launches $1 billion biodiversity fund after world misses targets (Isabelle Gerretsen)Climate Home News · 2021-05-20
International bodies
- Legacy Landscapes Fund to provide long-term funding for globally significant protected areasUNESCO World Heritage Centre · 2021-05-21
Connected cases
- African Parks Odzala-Kokoua abuses (Republic of Congo) Republic of Congo · 2010–2025
- Legacy Landscapes Fund (NGO) — here: The fund; awards long-term grants to protected-area landscapes; there: Funder (US$1m a year for at least 15 years)
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Odzala-Kokoua National Park; there: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua under a 25-year agreement since 2010
- Rob Walton Foundation (NGO) — here: Private funder named at launch; there: Funder (results-based commitment of US$4.6m to African Parks across four parks; US$100m to African Parks in 2021)
- Half-Earth and 30x30 advocacy funding (Wyss Campaign for Nature) Global · 2016–2026
- Legacy Landscapes Fund (NGO) — here: The fund; awards long-term grants to protected-area landscapes; there: Fund receiving US$100 million each from Germany, the Wyss and Walton foundations (September 2026)
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Odzala-Kokoua National Park; there: Recipient of Wyss Foundation commitments
- Wyss Foundation (NGO) — here: Private funder named at launch; there: Funder; launched the US$1 billion campaign (2018)
- Kahuzi-Biega National Park: Batwa evictions and killings DR Congo · 1975–2024
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Launched and founded the fund; main public contributor; there: Ministry on whose behalf KfW funds the park
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Funder (since 2008)
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Funder, then park manager from April 2022
- Herencia Colombia (Heritage Colombia): Project Finance for Permanence for protected areas, 2022 Colombia · 2022–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Donor named by the Ministry
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Founding partner
- WWF-funded ranger units accused of torture and killings in Asia and Africa Multiple countries · 2006–2023
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Funder of Kahuzi-Biega park, per the Minority Rights Group report
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Took over management of Kahuzi-Biega park in April 2022
- Amazon Fund (Fundo Amazônia), managed by BNDES: donations, projects, the 2019–2022 freeze and the restart Brazil · 2008–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: German development bank; donor-side author of the 2016 ex-post evaluation
- Amazon Region Protected Areas programme (ARPA) and the ARPA for Life Transition Fund, Brazil Brazil · 2002–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: German development bank; donor and author of the 2017 ex-post evaluation
- Asiatic cheetah conservation project in Iran: 25 years of funding and a count of 26 animals Iran · 2000–2026
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Phase I partner; contributed US$410,000
- Banc d'Arguin National Park, the BACoMaB trust fund and fishing pressure Mauritania · 2002–2025
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Funder; 47% of BACoMaB capital in the 2021 evaluation
- Bloomberg, Steyer and Bezos money shapes coal and nature campaigns United States · 2008–2026
- Wyss Foundation (NGO) — here: Private funder named at launch; there: Foundation whose affiliated groups gave political and campaign money
- Chad ends African Parks' management of Zakouma and Ennedi parks Chad · 2025
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Odzala-Kokoua National Park; there: Organisation whose management authority was revoked
- Ecopetrol Lizama well blowout (Colombia) Colombia · 2018–2021
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Conservation organisation listing Ecopetrol among its corporate supporters
- England's Environmental Land Management schemes: Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship United Kingdom · 2015–2026
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK) (Public authority) — here: UK donor; pledged up to £20 million and reviewed the fund in December 2025; there: Runs the Farming and Countryside Programme and the agri-environment schemes
- Olkaria geothermal projects (Kenya) Kenya · 2013–2017
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Financier
- Orinoco Mining Arc: decree, state gold business and measured harm Venezuela · 2011–2026
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Co-author of the Caura mercury study
- Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine: Gobi water, Undai River diversion, herder complaints and project finance Mongolia · 2004–2025
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Commercial lender (KfW IPEX-Bank, 2015 release)
- Peru's Natural Legacy (Patrimonio Natural del Perú): Project Finance for Permanence for Amazon protected areas, 2019 Peru · 2019–2026
- Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (NGO) — here: Private funder (US$5 million at launch); there: Donor named in the 2019 announcement and the evaluation
- Plant-for-the-Planet: 13.6 billion trees Germany / Global · 2011–2024
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Launched and founded the fund; main public contributor; there: Funder of the Crowther Lab via the foundation
- Report says a man died after ecoguard beating in Republic of the Congo park Republic of the Congo · 2017
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Conservation NGO; response: none on record
- Salonga National Park ranger abuses (DR Congo) DR Congo · 2002–2020
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: German development bank; funder of Salonga
- Socio Bosque programme, Ecuador: payments for forest conservation since 2008 Ecuador · 2008–2026
- KfW (Bank) — here: Reported the first site approvals; development bank acting for BMZ; there: Contributed US$11.5 million through the FAN (Ministry figure reported by El Comercio)
- South Sudan oil fields: pollution in Unity and Upper Nile South Sudan · 1999–2025
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Launched and founded the fund; main public contributor; there: Funded Sign of Hope deep-well projects
- Tobacco groups' diversification into oil, food and shipping United States · 2005–2026
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Conservation organisation; trustee role documented
- Tropical Forest Forever Facility Brazil · 2025
- German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Government) — here: Launched and founded the fund; main public contributor; there: Pledged 1 billion euros over 10 years (via Germany's environment ministry)
- UK packaging recycling notes (PRN) system and fraud cases United Kingdom · 2009–2025
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK) (Public authority) — here: UK donor; pledged up to £20 million and reviewed the fund in December 2025; there: UK government department responsible for the packaging system
- UNESCO World Heritage listings and Indigenous rights Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda · 1991–2025
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Odzala-Kokoua National Park; there: Manager of Odzala-Kokoua
- Walton family grants and board ties link Conservation International to Walmart United States · 2001–2026
- African Parks (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Odzala-Kokoua National Park; there: Park manager at Odzala-Kokoua; subject of the investigation
- WWF independent review (Pillay panel) and US funding suspension International · 2019–2020
- Wildlife Conservation Society (NGO) — here: Implementing partner at Madidi National Park; there: Grantee under US review
- Wyss Foundation has given over $807 million to US environmental causes since 2016 United States · 2016
- Wyss Foundation (NGO) — here: Private funder named at launch; there: Funder