This report presents an initial analysis of the role of natural World Heritage Sites within the global protected areas “estate”. It is primarily based on protected area data included in the UNEP-IUCN World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA). The analysis is based on figures held within WDPA on the recorded areas of natural World Heritage Sites relative to the extent of different protected areas recognized in the IUCN system of Protected Area Management Categories, which recognizes six categories of protected areas (I-VI).
