# COP Co-opted? How corruption and undue influence threaten multilateral climate action URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/cop-co-opted-how-corruption-and-undue-influence-threaten-multilateral-climate-action Type: Publication or report Published: 2024-10-31 Updated: 2026-01-06 --- 31 October 2024 The world faces an unprecedented threat from climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from more than a century of fossil fuel reliance. Despite the scale of this crisis, the Conference of the Parties (COP) climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, is at high risk of being co-opted to promote a pro-fossil fuel industry agenda. The COP process in its current form lacks the guardrails to effectively: (a) reduce undue corporate influence (particularly from fossil fuel companies); (b) prevent corrupt and kleptocratic actors from using the Conference to strike business deals and pursue personal enrichment; and (c) mitigate the risk of governmental and corporate greenwashing. This lack of robust anti-corruption measures is a serious oversight irrespective of which country is hosting COP. However, Azerbaijan’s organisation of COP29 illustrates the magnitude of the problem. This report by Transparency International and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective highlights how the Azerbaijani regime, oil and gas companies, and lobbyists have been working hand-in-hand in the run-up to COP29 to exert undue corporate influence. It also argues there is a high likelihood that the Azerbaijani government will use the summit as diplomatic cover to advance its domestic oil and gas interests and secure new fossil fuel deals. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has lacked adequate anti-corruption measures for too long. This not only jeopardises the integrity of global climate diplomacy: it also undermines progress towards the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. This report lists a series of recommendations to safeguard future COPs from corruption and undue influence, including mechanisms for improving: 1\. Integrity over the choice of the host country; 2\. Transparency around COP preparations and hosting arrangements; 3\. Accountability of the COP Presidency; 4\. Transparency and accountability around COP participation (vis-à-vis e.g. lobbyists); 5\. Responsible private sector engagement at COP. ### Related publications ## [Regional Assessment of Integrity in Political Finance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-political-finance-asia) Publication • 03 September 2026 This report reviews systems across 17 countries to identify the areas of political finance most in need of reform. ## [Annual Report 2025](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/annual-report-2025) Publication • 17 July 2026 In 2025, Transparency International pursued its mission to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society. ## [Connecting the Dots: How financial intelligence units expose corrupt money flows and how they could do more](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/connecting-the-dots) Publication • 24 June 2026 Financial intelligence units can play a key role in uncovering corruption, but only if they have the powers, resources and access to information they need. ## [Whistleblowing Authorities in Europe: Roles, challenges and lessons learned](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/whistleblowing-authorities-in-europe-roles-challenges-and-lessons-learned) Publication • 19 June 2026 This report examines the institutional design, mandates and functioning of national whistleblowing authorities across Europe. ## Priorities - [Climate crisis](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/climate-crisis) ## Countries - [Azerbaijan](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/azerbaijan) ## Projects - [Climate Governance Integrity Programme](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/climate-governance-integrity-programme) - [Towards Inclusive Governance for Forest Carbon Markets](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/towards-inclusive-governance-for-forest-carbon-markets) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/24010_ACDCspecialcover_FIN.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/COP-CO-OPTED-How-Corruption-and-Undue-Influence-Threaten-Multilateral-Climate-Action_FINAL_2025-12-12-093023_sype.pdf)