
Billions of dollars of life-saving climate funds at risk of being stolen or misused, experts warn
Corruption is eating into climate funds in the world's most vulnerable countries, experts warn.
For 30 years, Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has tracked abuses of power across the world, giving nations a rating out of 100.
Many climate-vulnerable nations and recent UN climate summit hosts score poorly in the new 2024 CPI. The findings have worrying implications for projects intended to protect people.
"We must urgently root out corruption before it fully derails meaningful climate action,' says CEO of Transparency International Maíra Martini.
'Today, corrupt forces not only shape but often dictate policies and dismantle checks and balances - silencing journalists, activists and anyone fighting for equality and sustainability.'
Where are climate funds at risk from corruption?
More than two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100, according to the report, which ranks 180 places on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
It draws on data from the World Bank, World Economic Forum, private risk and consulting companies, think tanks and other sources. It also reflects the views of experts and business people.
The global average rating has remained unchanged at 43, highlighting the need to root out this 'evolving global threat,' in the words of François Valérian, Transparency International's chair.
In the context of the climate crisis, it means that billions of dollars of climate funds are at risk of being stolen or misused.
Corruption in South Africa (41), Vietnam (40) and Indonesia (37), for example, is endangering the delivery of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), the researchers say.
These partnerships are designed to help coal-dependent countries embrace a greener future, but Transparency International has found that insufficient safeguards create opportunities for unscrupulous actors to muscle in.
In South Africa, around a billion rand (more than €52 million) is stolen each month from Eskom, the state-owned energy provider, according to its former chief executive.
Countries suffering the worst impacts of the climate crisis have the lowest scores - including South Sudan (8), Somalia (9) and Venezuela (10).
Climate corruption is creeping up in developing countries too
Corruption can obstruct climate policies in countries with both high and low ratings, Transparency International says.
But it is in wealthy, developed countries that this interference has the most serious impact because it undermines their work to agree on ambitious goals, reduce emissions and support developing countries.
The US, for example, fell from 69 to 65 points last year. Mads Christensen, executive director of Greenpeace International, comments that fossil fuel corruption is undermining climate efforts in the country.
The organisation is currently being sued by pipeline giant Energy Transfer, which 'is trying to wipe us off the map in the US with a massive, specious lawsuit,' he says. 'It's up to all of us who care about the future to stand up to these corporate bullies, no matter the cost."
In Europe, Denmark has obtained the highest score on the index (90) for the seventh year running, closely followed by Finland (88).
Kosovo (44) and Moldova (43) have taken significant steps to rise up the rankings in recent years, while France (67), Germany (75), Hungary (41) and Switzerland (81) dropped to their lowest levels yet in 2024.
Is corruption holding back climate summits?
The report found that transparency from the host countries of recent UN climate summits was also seriously lacking.
Azerbaijan, host of last year's COP29 - which granted access to at least 1,773 fossil fuel lobbyists - scored just 22 on the scale.
Eyes are turning to COP30 hosts Brazil, which will be responsible for securing last year's finance deal and deciding on a key pledge to transition away from fossil fuels. But in this year's CPI it received an all-time low score of 34.
'Governments and multilateral organisations must embed anti-corruption measures into climate efforts to safeguard finance, rebuild trust and maximise impact,' Martini urges.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


France 24
an hour ago
- France 24
Protests over police killing in Kenya as govt presents budget
The government carefully prepared its new finance bill with the aim of avoiding the massive protests over tax hikes that engulfed Kenya a year ago. But the killing of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody last weekend, after he was arrested for criticising a senior officer online, has reawakened anger over police brutality in the east African country. "You can't kill one of us in prison and then expect us to just lie down," said Tiffany, 22, a protester in Nairobi's business district who gave only her first name. Hundreds of protesters were spread in small groups across Nairobi's business district, with some throwing rocks at police who fired back with tear gas, while at least two cars were set alight. AFP reporters saw at least three people wounded by rubber bullets, with one taken to hospital. The unrest was limited compared to the protests last year that peaked when thousands stormed parliament on June 25, forcing President William Ruto to cancel a finance bill that would have raised taxes on many everyday items. At least 60 people were killed in the weeks of youth-led protests in June and July 2024, and rights groups say dozens more were illegally detained by security forces in the aftermath. The east African nation is a regional economic powerhouse but tensions have simmered over a rising cost of living, a stagnant job market and rights abuses. This year, the government played it safe with its finance bill, focusing tax hikes on businesses rather than consumers. Finance Minister John Mbadi acknowledged last year's protests had highlighted "the importance of values and principles of governance" and called for a minute of silence in parliament for protesters who lost their lives. "To win public trust, we have strengthened public participation in all policy formulation, including the budget-making process," he said, referring to a new online portal in which citizens could give their views. But there was anger last month when a software designer was arrested for creating her own website that criticised the budget and allowed people to email the government with complaints. 'Avoid controversy' Kenya faces a daunting task in boosting social services and investment at a time when its heavy debts mean interest payments outweigh its spending on health and education. Analysts say the new budget is unlikely to provoke the public anger of last year. It seeks to boost revenues by cutting government spending and closing tax loopholes, though critics say it still includes backdoor price increases and will hurt small businesses. "This year's finance bill is, in comparison to last year's, very much seeking to avoid controversy," said Patricia Rodrigues, of global consultancy Control Risks. But businesses will be impacted by increases in income taxes and social contributions, she said. In a difficult global environment, the World Bank has reduced its growth projections for Kenya from 5.0 to 4.5 percent in 2025. And rights abuses have become a volatile issue. "What we are demanding is for the deputy inspector general to resign, and then he should be arrested," said protester Anami Daudi Toure, 27, on Thursday. © 2025 AFP


France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
UN to vote on calling for Gaza ceasefire
Like the text blocked by Washington to protect its Israeli allies, the draft resolution before the General Assembly calls for "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire." It also demands "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" seized during the unprecedented Hamas attack inside Israel on October 7, 2023 that sparked the war in Gaza. But the text submitted to a vote in the 193-member General Assembly -- the majority of which traditionally supports the Palestinians -- goes further than the thwarted Security Council resolution by taking direct aim at Israel. It "demands that Israel, the occupying Power, immediately end the blockade... and ensure that aid reaches the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip," which after more than 20 months of war is facing a catastrophic humanitarian situation. The text goes on to "strongly (condemn) any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access." 'Accountability' Israel is facing mounting pressure to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where according to the UN the entire population is at risk of famine. Israel recently ended a total blockade to allow some deliveries to resume through the newly formed, US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution centers. The United Nations, which until now has sought to coordinate aid deliveries throughout Gaza, refuses to work with the GHF, citing concerns over its practices and neutrality. Dozens of people have been killed near GHF distribution points since late May, according to Gaza's civil defense agency. It said Israeli forces killed 31 people waiting for aid early on Wednesday. GHF blamed the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the deaths of at least eight of its staff in Gaza late Wednesday. The draft resolution before the General Assembly "stresses the need for accountability in order to ensure Israel's respect of international law obligations." It "calls upon all Member States to individually and collectively take all measures necessary... to ensure compliance by Israel with its obligations." However, it stopped short of explicitly calling for sanctions. 'Mad march' This request echoed a call by Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour, who in the absence of Security Council action urged all countries last week to take "immediate and real measures" to force Israel "to stop the mad march it is embarked on." With the vote taking place just days before an international conference at the UN on the Palestinian issue, the text also reiterates the Assembly's "unwavering commitment to the two-State solution... where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and security." It was a UN General Assembly resolution in 1947 that divided British-ruled Palestine into two states -- one Arab and one Jewish. But only the creation of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948. This triggered a war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Over the decades, the UN body has expressed its strong support for the Palestinians in the face of the continuing Israeli occupation. Israel's ambassador to the UN Danny Danon stressed last week that the resolution vote in the Assembly, where no country can veto it, was pointless, telling countries "don't waste more of your energy." "No resolution, no vote... will stand in our way" in efforts to bring the hostages home, he said.


France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
Third night of anti-immigrant violence hits Northern Ireland town
01:55 12/06/2025 Australia 'confident' in US nuclear sub deal despite review 12/06/2025 Protests spread across US despite Trump threats 12/06/2025 UN Ocean Summit: 'Protect the ocean to save Pacific islands' 12/06/2025 UN nuclear watchdog slams Iran's 'non-compliance' over non-proliferation 12/06/2025 Smoke and fire rises from India plane crash site 12/06/2025 At least 49 killed in South Africa floods 12/06/2025 Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson dies at age 82 12/06/2025 Air India plane headed for London crashes at India's Ahmedabad airport 12/06/2025 Trump says US personnel moved as Iran nuclear talks stall