Corruption is a major barrier in the global fight against climate change, diverting critical resources, weakening policies, and enabling corporate interests to take precedence over environmental sustainability. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 highlights how weak governance and lack of transparency are stalling climate progress.
Corruption and climate change are two of the most pressing global challenges, yet they are deeply interconnected.
Corruption is the the misuse of public power, position, or funds, it plays a major role in hindering efforts to combat climate change, particularly by diverting essential resources, weakening environmental policies, and prioritizing corporate interests over sustainability.
The Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 (CPI) report highlights the critical extent to which corruption is preventing global climate action.
It revealed that over two-thirds of countries scored below the transparency mid-point, indicating weak governance and accountability mechanisms.
How Corruption Undermines Climate Action
One of the key findings of the CPI report is that even in countries with relatively low levels of perceived corruption, corporate influence still manipulate climate policies in favor of short-term profits rather than long-term environmental sustainability.
This trend has been particularly evident in industries such as fossil fuels and automobile manufacturing companies where lobbyists have successfully delayed or weakened policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to François Valérian, Chairman of Transparency International, corruption is more than just an obstacle to development, it is a direct threat to democracy, stability, and human rights.
He emphasized that tackling corruption must be a long-term priority for every nation to ensure a peaceful, free, and sustainable world.
However, the report warned that without adequate transparency and accountability, climate funds are at high risk of being misused or embezzled.
It said in many cases, corruption takes the form of undue political influence, regulatory capture by private corporations, and a revolving door between the public and private sectors, all of which prevent the adoption of ambitious climate policies.
The Need for Urgent Action
Maíra Martini, CEO of Transparency International, also stressed that corruption must be addressed immediately before it completely derails meaningful climate action.
She urged governments and international organizations to integrate anti-corruption measures into climate policies, ensuring that climate finance is safeguarded and that trust is restored in global efforts.
“Today, corrupt forces not only shape but often dictate policies, preventing checks and balances while silencing journalists, activists, and anyone fighting for equality and sustainability. True climate resilience demands tackling these threats directly and decisively,” Martini stated.
The CPI report further noted that countries with lower corruption levels generally demonstrate better preparedness for climate challenges. However, it warns that many of these nations are still failing to implement bold climate policies, partly due to corporate influence that prioritizes business interests over environmental protection.
Recommendations for Combating Climate Corruption
To effectively address climate change, anti-corruption efforts must be at the heart of global climate strategies. Governments, businesses, and international organizations must integrate robust anti-corruption measures into climate finance, policies, and projects to ensure funds are used effectively and reach vulnerable communities.
Further, they must enhance transparency and accountability in climate governance to prevent mismanagement and illicit financial flows.
Strengthen environmental regulations and enforcement to stop corrupt practices that enable environmental degradation, such as bribery in regulatory bodies, customs agencies, and licensing authorities.
Additionally, governments must prevent corporate influence in climate policy to ensure that environmental laws are made in the public interest rather than for private gain.
Nonetheless, corruption remains one of the greatest threats to effective climate action. By undermining environmental policies, diverting critical resources, and enabling corporate influence, it slows down global efforts to combat climate change.
