Another huge threat to the international fight against climate change is corruption. It chips away at the credibility of ambitious climate action everywhere else in the world. According to the latest Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the global average score remains stagnant at 43, highlighting the persistent issue of corruption across various nations. François Valérian, chair of Transparency International, emphasizes that corruption is an “evolving global threat,” particularly in regions most affected by climate change.
Now climate billions are set to go up in smoke. Corrupt practices pose a serious risk of siphoning off or misappropriating these crucial funds. Countries including South Africa, Vietnam, and Indonesia are currently grappling with corruption issues that threaten the implementation of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs). These partnerships will be equally important in our transition out of fossil-fuel dependence and toward more sustainable and equitable energy solutions.
Impact of Corruption on Climate Vulnerable Nations
Ironically, the countries that are most affected by climate change tend to be the countries that score the worst on the CPI. South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela illustrate this point best, contending with cardinal historical and contemporary environmental stresses alongside acute governance failures. These countries are in deep need as they address their own climate calamities. At the same time, systemic corruption limits their ability to maximize unilateral and multilateral support and financing aimed to address these pressing issues.
In South Africa, endemic corruption has paralyzed Eskom, the troubled, state-owned energy company. Reports indicate that approximately one billion rand (over €52 million) is stolen each month from Eskom, exacerbating the country’s energy crisis and hampering efforts to transition to renewable energy sources.
“We must urgently root out corruption before it fully derails meaningful climate action.” – Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International.
Global Rankings and Regional Disparities
Denmark has taken first place in the CPI rankings for the second year in a row. For the seventh year in a row, it’s the country with the highest overall score! Finland is a step behind it, proving once again the power of good governance and the corrosive effects of corruption. Even in Azerbaijan, which hosted last year’s all-Cities COP29, this year its CPI score has dropped to a historic low of 34. This shockingly rapid decrease is indicative of tremendous corruption that would threaten U.S. and international climate commitments.
Over two-thirds of countries around the world sit under a 50 on the CPI scale. This scale goes from zero, which means very corrupt, to 100, which means very clean. France, Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland have all recently dropped in their CPI scores. This political trend speaks to a larger wave of worries on the state of governance in long-standing democracies.
Kosovo and Moldova have become notable exceptions by taking big steps to improve their rankings in the past several years. This progress is a testament to what can be achieved when there is an unrelenting commitment to fighting corruption.
The Call to Action Against Corruption
Mads Christensen, executive director of Greenpeace International, stresses the need for collective action against corporate interests that compromise climate initiatives. As he goes on to explain, public engagement is key to taking on these powerful forces.
“It’s up to all of us who care about the future to stand up to these corporate bullies, no matter the cost.” – Mads Christensen, executive director of Greenpeace International.
The shrinking global space to act on the increasingly dire climate crisis. In order for our investments with aims of environmental sustainability to actually achieve these goals, we need to confront corruption at all levels. Until these lobbyists are exposed and high-level reform and accountability measures are established, the lofty goals outlined in international climate agreements are still in jeopardy.
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