UNDP: Tackling corruption risks in climate Change

Tackling climate change and fighting corruption go hand-in-hand.

Both are major challenges that weaken progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Corruption destroys public trust, undermines human rights and the rule of law, exacerbates conflicts and weakens gender inequality. Adverse effects of climate change, such as breakdown of agricultural systems, malnutrition, water shortages, and more frequent and violent natural disasters, present major obstacles to sustained development and could reverse the progress we have made to date. Successful climate adaptation coupled with stringent mitigation hold the key to human development for the 21st century and beyond.

These are not without challenges, which can be compounded by corruption when it weakens institutional checks and balances on power and results in non- transparent decision-making processes. Already corruption has significant impacts on the responses to climate change. For example, turning a blind eye to illegal deforestation and forest degradation results in increased greenhouse gas emissions; competition for scarce resources due to more severe droughts forces some to access these resources through corrupt means.

The poorest and most vulnerable people – those without any power or influence, who also bear the brunt of the effects of climate change – are the first to suffer setbacks. While emerging international mechanisms supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation represent unique opportunities for developing countries, they are not without risks. Developing countries need efficient and equitable access to substantial additional resources to support their efforts in adaptation, mitigation and sustainable human development, as well as strengthened capacity to manage those resources. Transparent and accountable financial processes and mechanisms will be needed, and the combined expertise in climate change and governance of the United Nations Development Programme can be key to supporting these efforts. Strengthening principles of accountability, transparency, integrity and the rule of law in the responses to climate change will pave the way to a more equitable, sustainable future for all. The valuable and timely report you have in hand contributes to this endeavour.