# Corruption blindspots in international cooperation on climate action: Building governance and accountability to deliver Article 6 of the Paris Agreement URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/corruption-blindspots-climate-action-paris-agreement Type: Publication or report Published: 2021-11-03 Updated: 2026-01-06 --- 03 November 2021 Multilateral action on climate change depends on governments working together with respect to emissions reductions, adaptation, technology transfer and financing. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) establishes government-to-government cooperation as the primary means for climate change collaboration. Other means of cooperation were developed through the Kyoto Protocol, under which emissions reductions from project activities undertaken in one country are credited in favour of another country or a private corporation of that other country which funded such activities. Under the Paris Agreement, voluntary international cooperation has been included in Article 6. Enhanced international cooperation is needed in order to meet climate targets. This includes a crucial need to recognise that corruption risks exist and have transformed previous initiatives such as the Kyoto Protocol into heavily criticised mechanisms with unclear outcomes in terms of emissions reductions and harmful impacts on community rights. This policy brief provides an overview of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and identifies key issues and gaps related to corruption risks within existing UNFCCC mechanisms. It also explores areas for strengthening ongoing negotiations related to international cooperation under Article 6, including the role of an independent grievance and redress mechanism. ### Related publications ## [Protecting civic space in extractives governance: Towards enhanced EITI engagement on civic space](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/protecting-civic-space-in-extractives-governance) Publication • 05 October 2026 This brief evaluates the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative's (EITI) existing approach to addressing civic space challenges arising in EITI implementing countries and… ## [Ending Debt Secrecy: Recommendations to the G20 on Anti-Corruption in Sovereign Borrowing and Lending](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/ending-debt-secrecy-g20-recommendations) Publication • 04 September 2026 Recommendations to the G20 to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in sovereign borrowing and lending ## [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. ## [Getting Political Finance Right: Preventing corruption with UNCAC CoSP Resolution 11/7](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/getting-political-finance-right) Publication • 15 May 2026 Resolution 11/7 is the world’s furthest-reaching consensus yet on preventing and combating corruption enabled by money in elections and politics. ## Priorities - [Climate crisis](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/climate-crisis) ## Regions - [Global](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/global) ## 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) ![Blue cover page, TI logo, document title: Corruption blindspots in international cooperation on climate action](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/CorruptionBlindspotsClimateAction_PolicyBrief-Cover.jpg?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2021_CorruptionBlindspotsClimateAction_PolicyBrief_English.pdf)