The degradation of ecosystems is a significant barrier to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Out of the 24 ecosystems assessed by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (a United Nations initiative launched in 2001 and concluded in 2005), 15 were being degraded or used unsustainably. The harmful consequences of this degradation could grow significantly in the next decades. Efforts to enhance environmental management therefore need to be scaled up.

Over the past decade, the International Development Association (IDA) has lent some US$4.5 billion to support investment in environment and natural resource management. This support has helped mitigate air pollution in urban and industrial areas; provide cleaner and more reliable supplies of water; make land management more sustainable; build environmental institutions; deal with climate change, and protect biodiversity.

Download a 7-page assessment of the Bank’s environment work in IDA countries:

Centuries of overuse and overgrazing in China's Loess Plateau led to one of the highest erosion rates in the world and widespread poverty.Through the introduction of sustainable farming practices, farmers’ incomes doubled, employment diversified and the degraded environment was revitalized.