Transparency International warns that corruption is obstructing global efforts to combat climate change, with many nations experiencing declines in their Corruption Perceptions Index scores. The report highlights the urgent need for anti-corruption measures to facilitate meaningful climate action and emphasizes the risks to climate finance in vulnerable countries.
Corruption is significantly hampering global cooperation needed to combat climate change, warns Transparency International (TI) in their 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). This report highlights the decline in scores for many nations critical to climate diplomacy, suggesting that corruption could derail efforts to address the climate crisis effectively.
The CPI indicates that more than two-thirds of the 180 ranked countries have scores below 50 out of 100, with the global average remaining stagnant at 43. Though 32 countries have made headway against corruption since 2012, a staggering 148 nations have either stagnated or regressed during this timeframe, emphasizing an urgent need for increased anti-corruption measures.
TI outlines the “devastating” impact of corruption on the fight against climate change, stating that it exacerbates the ongoing climate crisis amid extreme weather and rising global temperatures. The organization warns that declining CPI scores are becoming commonplace among nations with significant climate vulnerabilities and hosts of key international climate conferences.
In particular, Brazil, which will host the UN COP30 climate talks, received its lowest-ever score of 34. Wealthier countries, including those leading climate discussions like the United States, scored 65. The report also reveals a concerning risk to vital climate finance intended for nations most in need, with examples from South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia illustrating this point clearly.
Countries most afflicted by climate change, such as South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela, typically receive the lowest CPI scores. Transparency International CEO Maira Martini emphasized, “Corrupt forces not only shape but often dictate policies and dismantle checks and balances,” underscoring the need to address corruption to achieve meaningful climate action.
To counteract corruption and ensure efficient allocation of resources, the report advocates for enhanced metrics and frameworks for climate transparency and accountability. Furthermore, strengthening anti-corruption institutions is essential to deter environmental crimes and minimize impunity.
The Transparency International 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index raises alarms about the detrimental effects of corruption on global climate initiatives. With many key nations experiencing declines in their CPI scores, there is a critical need to address these issues to safeguard climate financing and enable effective climate policies. Urgent measures must be taken to fortify anti-corruption frameworks and enhance transparency in climate action efforts.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
