Strengthening Public Oversight in Climate Initiatives

There is increasing global recognition of the importance of effective climate governance; both in terms of how climate decisions and investments are made, and how these commitments are translated into action, impact, and results. Yet, much of the global discussion still focuses on where climate finance flows – an essential but incomplete piece of the puzzle.

At Transparency International we believe that tracking the money isn’t enough; we need to go further. Without meaningful accountability to the people climate investments are supposed to benefit, they risk being diverted, misused, or fail to reach those who need them most. To make climate finance truly work for people and the planet, policy and decision-makers must not only listen to a diversity of voices but ensure that individuals and communities can hold duty-bearers accountable for their promises, actions, and results. This is where social accountability comes in.

Social accountability is the bridge between people and power. Over the past decade, I’ve explored its role across a range of issues, with a recent focus on climate initiatives. In this blog, I’ll clarify what we mean by social accountability, why it’s fundamental for effective and inclusive climate action, and how Transparency International is working to advance it in the climate space.

At its core, social accountability in climate involves individuals, communities, and civil society using a variety of collective approaches, tools, and mechanisms to influence, monitor, challenge, and scrutinise how climate-related resources and services are allocated and delivered. While such public oversight can be a powerful, bottom-up deterrent to corruption, it works best when it complements formal oversight by courts, auditors, anti-corruption bodies, or law enforcement, helping to create an ecosystem for holding power accountable.

Transparency International colleagues across our global movement are working to address climate governance challenges and strengthen integrity in climate initiatives. In Kenya, our colleagues are supporting civil society to leverage laws on access to information to demand the release of climate finance data in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. In the Maldives, we’re promoting social audits that help communities verify whether climate projects deliver as promised. In Spain, ‘green’ integrity pacts are being introduced to strengthen public oversight of climate-related procurement.

From public hearings and citizen report cards to participatory budgeting and strategic litigation, social accountability tools and approaches are transforming how climate initiatives are governed.

I’d like to highlight three particularly compelling reasons:

• Amplify climate impact: Public participation in exercising oversight of climate initiatives not only strengthens accountability but makes them more effective as well. It leads to more responsive planning, better-quality implementation, and often a stronger focus on long-term, equitable climate outcomes.

• Respond to critical needs: Social accountability helps ensure that climate finance reaches the people and places that need it most. By giving meaningful voice to those most vulnerable to climate change, climate finance and resources can be allocated in ways that address the most pressing needs, rather than political expedience or vested interests.

• Build public trust and legitimacy: At a time when global faith in climate-related processes and institutions is fragile, effective social accountability in climate action allows individuals and communities to influence decisions that affect their lives. This, in turn, increases the credibility of climate initiatives, secures public buy-in, and revitalises proactive civic engagement.

In short, as the urgency of tackling the climate crisis intensifies, people holding power to account is not just ‘nice to have’. Social accountability stands to unleash a raft of social, economic, political and, crucially, climate gains that make it an indispensable feature of impactful and inclusive climate action.

At Transparency International, we are committed to unlocking the immense potential of social accountability in strengthening climate action. Turning this potential and promise into everyday practice means equipping individuals, communities, civil society, and decision-makers with relevant approaches, practical tools, and real-world guidance.

To support this, over the coming months, Transparency International will be developing a Resource Guide on social accountability in climate initiatives. This guide will not only include a detailed menu of approaches and tools but also feature illustrative case-studies and draw on lessons from around the world. This is why we would love to hear from you!

If you or your organisation have current or prior experience using or supporting social accountability approaches, tools, and mechanisms in climate initiatives – whether through citizen report cards, social audits, participatory budgeting, or any other innovative practice – we invite and encourage you to please share your stories and experiences with us.

By completing a short questionnaire, you can help us build a resource that will inspire, guide, and equip climate champions everywhere to drive and deliver transparent, accountable, and people-centered climate action.