Climate Governance Integrity: Safeguarding the Climate and Climate Finance against Corruption

Corruption is one of the main challenges in emerging and developing countries – and also affects the financial resources provided for climate change mitigation. Together with its political and strategic partners and as part of its globally oriented project work, Transparency International was implementing measures to protect against corruption in three regions, relying on information, targeted research, monitoring and advocacy work to achieve its aims. In this way, victims and witnesses of corruption are given a voice, ensuring that those who are most vulnerable are not doubly harmed by both climate change impacts and corruption. The project also contributed to promoting transparent and accountable climate change mitigation strategies and procedures at all levels. It also consolidated the regionally growing leadership and independence of the civil society in climate change mitigation issues. In this way, the project strengthend confidence in possible climate change mitigation investments – and consequently in their scope.

Project data

Countries: Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Kenya, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Maldives, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda
IKI funding: 4,472,229.00 €
Duration: 08/2015 till 09/2023
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: Transparency International e.V.
Political Partner: Diverse climate change relevant institutions in the respective partner countries/Diverse klimarelevante Institutionen in den entsprechenden Partnerländern
Implementing Partner: Transparency Internaqtional - Nepal

Transparency International (Proética) - Peru

Transparency International - Bangladesh

Transparency International - Kenya

Transparency International - Maldives

Transparency International - Mexico

Transparency International - Rwanda

Transparency International - South Korea
Online: https://www.transparency.org/programmes/detail/cgip

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
Global
- Following TI’s governance assessment of climate funds, the GCF started acting upon several recommendations, including the creation of an engagement strategy for civil society. Similarly, CAFI included a new page on whistleblowing as well as adopted a new risk management strategy (mentioning corruption) and MEL policy.
- At COP27, TI organised an official side event on public participation climate policies and projects; TI also publicly called for having a UNFCCC policy on declaration and management of conflict of interest to address criticism about the participation of many lobbyists to climate COPs. It was reflected in some media articles.
- TI participated in a GCF side event at COP27 that emphasized upholding integrity in green funds.
- In another side event organised by the Congo Basin Forest Partnership at COP27 focused on the role of corruption in climate financing in Central Africa, TI referred to the governance obstacles that hindered effective climate action.
- During several events at TI’s International Anti-Corruption Conference 2022 (#IACC2022), environmental crimes and climate corruption were highlighted. In one of the sessions, TI highlighted the destructive impact of environmental crimes on biodiversity and global warming. TI also organised a joint event with the International Land Coalition, which pointed out land grabbing as an enabler of environmental degradation.
- TI co-authored a blog post along with TRAFFIC, WWF, and Basel Institute, outlining a new Practitioners Forum bridging the gap between environmental and anti-corruption communities. An event also launched the new initiative.
- TI published a blog post exploring the relationship between gender, anti-corruption, and climate actions.
- TI published a blog post entitled “5 Ways to Take Back Power in The Fight Against Climate Change”.
- TI participated in a course organised by UNDP and United Nations System Staff College on climate & corruption.
- TI expressed its concern over COP28 presidency and undue influence.
- TI was invited to participate to the UNDP future governance workshop and highlighted links between corruption and climate.
- TI made a submission on the toxic impacts of climate change solutions to the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human rights.
- TI published the first 2023 edition of its climate newsletter.
Maldives
- TI Maldives published a video on developments related to the Marketing and Public Relations Corporation corruption scandal: the Criminal Court found former President Yameen guilty and sentenced him to 11 years prison and a USD 55 million fine.
- TI Maldives participated in a TV discussion on Maldives’s position in the Corruption Perception Index for 2022. The coverage of CPI appeared on the following media: Adhadhu, the press, dhauru, mihaaru, oneonline, the voice, raajjemv, avas, cnm, Addu Live, Jazeera2, hafthaa.
- TI Maldives put out a statement expressing a lack of due diligence in Male City council’s decision to expedite an unsustainable major road development project.
- TI Maldives advocated for stopping a land reclamation project in Addu due to environmental concerns. As a result, it was invited to a committee hearing of People’s Majlis
Kenya
- TI Kenya conducted and published a social audit of the Adaption Fund Programme in Kenya.
- The Homabay County Climate Change Governance Framework was launched, including inputs from TI-Kenya about transparency and accountability in the county.
- Communities in 4 Wards in Homabay County, have developed Ward Adaptation Plans using the knowledge gained from the capacity-building sessions organized by TI-Kenya and the practical experience during the Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Study.
Peru
- TI Peru held its fourth Anti-Corruption and Forest Governance School, which promotes anti-corruption and forest management initiatives.