COP28 should ensure accountability and inclusivity to end undue influence

30 November 2023

As the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) taking place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 begins, Transparency International underscores the urgent need for world leaders to halt undue influence and prioritise the voices of affected communities.

Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, Transparency International has continuously called to stop undue influence from polluters and oil rich countries. This remains a top priority, as oil and gas majors have dramatically increased their spending on misleading public relations and lobbying.

A surge in climate corruption cases on a global level also threatens credibility and trust in COP 28 and other climate policy frameworks and institutions. Transparency International therefore urgently calls for integrity safeguards to be implemented, including the guarantee that all affected communities are actively included in any decision-making process of every initiative against climate change. The Great Green Wall in Africa is just an example of how governance reforms are key to enhancing affected communities’ participation as a way to impede climate finance diversion.

Comprehensive integrity frameworks are essential for all climate funds and mechanisms delivering climate finance and projects. The recently established Loss and Damage Fund is also an opportunity to guarantee an equal and inclusive process, with civil society participation, an independent integrity system, and a redress mechanism as crucial components to ensure transparency and accountability.

Brice Böhmer, climate and environment lead at Transparency International, said:

"There have been too many scandals of undue influence at COPs in the past. We have to urgently regulate those conflicts of interest. UNFCCC must establish clear rules of engagement including an accountability framework and a conflict of interest policy so that polluters stop undermining the common good through their undue influence. Unless actors place integrity centre-stage, efforts to contain the climate crisis will be diluted, and COP28’s potential unfulfilled. We therefore call for a small percentage of every climate fund to be reserved for independent civil society oversight."

Transparency International is co-hosting an official COP28 side event “The Global Stocktake and Climate Accountability: Unlocking Finance and Action” on 3 December from 18:30-20:00.

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