Corruption Perception Index 2024

Recommendations

To effectively combat the climate crisis, we must place corruption at the centre of the global debate. Governments, international organisations and businesses must prioritise the integration of robust anti-corruption measures into climate finance, policies and projects. Transparency and accountability are essential to ensuring resources are protected, policies deliver on their objectives, and projects reach the communities that need them most. Addressing corruption head-on will rebuild societies’ trust in climate initiatives and drive progress toward a sustainable world. 

PUT INTEGRITY AT THE CENTRE OF CLIMATE EFFORTS. THIS IS KEY TO ACHIEVING REAL IMPACT. 
Anti-corruption measures can enhance countries’ ability to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. As the climate field is still developing, there is a unique chance to establish safeguards against theft, policy capture and other abuse. Strong collaboration between climate and anti-corruption actors is essential, with the United Nations (UN) Convention against Corruption offering a critical framework to support this work. 

SHIELD CLIMATE POLICYMAKING PROCESSES FROM UNDUE INFLUENCE AT NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS. THIS WILL LEAD TO STRONGER CLIMATE ACTION. 
Reaching the highest levels of transparency and inclusivity in climate policies and finance allocation would unlock their full potential, while also reestablishing trust in climate initiatives. Creating mechanisms to detect and manage conflicts of interest – including through lobbying registers and declarations of interests – is essential to raise ambition in key climate fora such as the UN Framework Convention against Climate Change. 

ENHANCE INVESTIGATIONS, SANCTIONS AND PROTECTIONS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION. THIS WILL DETER ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES AND REDUCE IMPUNITY. 
Access to justice can be improved through strength- ening enforcement and oversight bodies – including anti-corruption bodies. Local communities need access to grievance mechanisms, while those who speak out – climate, land and environmental defenders, and whistleblowers – must be protected from all forms of retaliation. 

STRENGTHEN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT IN CLIMATE INVESTMENTS. THIS WILL ENABLE THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CLIMATE CRISIS TO HELP TAILOR THE SOLUTIONS. 
Information on climate finance, projects and contracts needs to be open, accessible and disseminated in a timely way, in line with the principles of obtaining free, prior and informed consent from people affected by such initiatives. Inclusive accountability frameworks ensure communities are engaged throughout initiatives like the Just Energy Transition Partnerships between countries, including via oversight. This produces results that better address their needs. 

​Transparency International. Berlin, Germany.