Transparency International warns that corruption is significantly hindering global efforts to combat climate change. The 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index reveals declining scores for many nations critical to climate diplomacy, highlighting the urgent need for action. The report emphasizes the destructive impact of corruption on climate policies, particularly in vulnerable countries, and advocates for enhanced transparency and accountability measures.
Corruption is increasingly undermining global efforts to combat climate change, as reported by Transparency International (TI). The organization’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024 indicates a troubling decline in scores among key nations involved in climate diplomacy. TI emphasizes that corruption poses a significant obstacle to effective cooperation on climate policy, hindering essential global initiatives.
The CPI report highlights that global corruption levels remain alarmingly high, with over two-thirds of the 180 countries evaluated scoring below 50 out of 100. Despite progress in 32 countries since 2012, 148 countries have either stagnated or regressed. TI has underscored the pressing need for decisive action to combat corruption, particularly in the context of climate change.
TI warns that corruption deeply affects the fight against climate change, exacerbating the crisis in the face of unprecedented global heating and extreme weather events. The report specifically notes the detrimental impact of corruption on countries vulnerable to climate change and emphasizes the role of corrupted states in hosting important climate conferences, which suffer diminishing CPI scores.
For instance, Brazil, the host of the upcoming COP30 climate talks, received its lowest-ever score of 34. In contrast, nations like the United States, which lead international climate discussions, obtained a score of 65. The report also indicates a growing threat to critical climate financing, citing examples such as South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia where corruption impedes climate initiatives.
Countries particularly susceptible to climate change, such as South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela, exhibit some of the lowest CPI scores. Maira Martini, CEO of Transparency International, remarked, “Corrupt forces not only shape but often dictate policies and dismantle checks and balances.” She emphasizes urgent measures to eliminate corruption to ensure effective climate action.
To address this rampant corruption, the report proposes the establishment of enhanced metrics and frameworks for climate transparency and accountability. Furthermore, the bolstering of anticorruption bodies could significantly deter environmental crimes and diminish the existing climate finance malfeasance. TI’s CPI assesses 180 countries based on public-sector corruption, derived from independent data, with scores ranging from zero, indicating significant corruption, to 100, signifying a high level of integrity.
In conclusion, Transparency International’s findings sharply illustrate the detrimental impact of corruption on global climate efforts. With many nations facing declining scores on the Corruption Perceptions Index, it is essential to address the systemic issues underlying these challenges. The urgent need for transparency and accountability in climate finance and policy-making is paramount to ensure meaningful action against climate change.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
