Transparency International says corruption holds back global cooperation on climate change policy.Corruption threatens to “derail” global cooperation to tackle climate change, according to graft watchdog Transparency International (TI).
The watchdog’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024, published on Tuesday, reported that many nations crucial to climate diplomacy have seen their scores decline.
Overall, the CPI found that global corruption remained “alarmingly high” last year.
More than two-thirds of the 180 countries ranked had scores below 50 out of 100. The global average was unchanged from 2023 at 43.
While 32 countries have made significant progress against corruption since 2012, 148 countries have stagnated or declined over the same period, TI noted, adding that the results underscore ‘the urgent need for concrete action against corruption”.
‘Devastating’
TI noted the “devastating” effect of global corruption on the fight against climate change.
“Amidst record-breaking global heating and extreme weather events, corruption is exacerbating the climate crisis,” the report read. Advertisement
The watchdog warned of the effects of corruption on climate-vulnerable countries and key international climate conferences. Countries, including hosts of high-profile events like United Nations climate summits, are seeing declining CPI scores, it said.
Brazil, for example, the host of this year’s UN COP30 climate talks, received a score of 34, its lowest-ever rating. Wealthier countries which also lead climate talks like the United States, received a score of 65.
The report also highlighted the growing risk to billions of dollars of life-saving climate finance, often in countries that need it the most. South Africa, Vi …
