Mongabay · Climate & nature

Report Details Environmental Impact of USAID Closure

A new analysis by One Earth Partners highlights negative environmental consequences following USAID's closure of conservation and environment funding.

The report, based on 150 interviews, reveals numerous projects in fragile ecosystems have stalled or collapsed. USAID terminated around 5,200 contracts in early 2025, removing nearly $1 billion in global conservation funding.

Projects protecting landscapes and supporting environmental policymaking have faltered. Co-author Monica Bansal noted this created a fragmented approach to global environmental issues, leaving communities behind.

The 166-page report is the first comprehensive review of the impact on USAID's nature-related initiatives. It uses survey data and interviews from Bangladesh, Peru, Kenya, Colombia, and Vietnam.

Terminated projects include deforestation monitoring training in the Amazon and anti-poaching efforts in Mozambique. USAID's established relationships and willingness to fund in risky areas are noted as difficult to replace.

Reported impacts include increased deforestation and poaching, higher risks to environmental defenders, and policy setbacks. In Kenya, community conservancies faced a crisis after losing significant grants.

The report acknowledges past USAID operational issues but showcases valuable work lost. It provides a list of 100 projects seeking new funders.

The authors suggest the world will face greater difficulty meeting environmental goals. The U.S. State Department did not comment.

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