A new Transparency International report on Corruption Prevention Index (CPI) has thrown a new spotlight on corruption and its impact on climate change. According to the report, corruption is making the climate crisis worse at a time when global temperatures are breaking records and extreme weather events are occurring.
Corruption has a major effect on both important international climate conferences and nations that are vulnerable to climate change. It is impeding effective climate action, and CPI scores are dropping in many countries that are important to climate diplomacy, including those that host high-profile events like COP, Transparency International said in the report.
CPI also highlighted the rising threats to billions of dollars in life-saving climate funding, frequently in nations that most need it.
Examples of how corruption is impeding climate initiatives include South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia. In 2023, the former CEO of Eskom in South Africa calculated that the energy company loses about $55 million a month. In nations like South Sudan and Somalia, where climate change is exacerbating pre-existing crises, corruption has also impeded climate-related initiatives, the Transparency International report noted.
Maíra Martini, CEO, Transparency International, said, “Governments and multilateral organisations must safeguard climate funds and rebuild trust by tackling corruption head-on.”
Key findings:
The report reveals that more than two-thirds of countries scored below 50 out of 100, with the global average unchanged at 43, underscoring the urgent need for concrete action against corruption.
Also, while 32 countries have made significant progress against corruption since 2012, 148 countries have stagnated or declined over the same period.
Furthermore, the report highlighted the dangerous influence of fossil fuel lobbyists, who often shape climate policies to benefit their interests.
This is particularly evident in countries with strong ties to the fossil fuel industry, such as the United States and Brazil. In Azerbaijan, the host of COP29, the CPI score remains low at 22, reflecting the troubling role of corruption in undermining global climate negotiations.
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