Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 - REPORTS

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 - REPORTS

News: India ranked 96 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2024.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, compiled by Transparency International, highlights the widespread impact of corruption on global governance and policy implementation, particularly in tackling climate change. The index ranks 180 countries and territories based on perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 represents a highly corrupt nation, and 100 represents a very clean nation with minimal corruption.

The findings emphasize that corruption is not just an obstacle to economic development but a direct threat to democracy, stability, and human rights worldwide. The report stresses how corruption hinders climate action, weakening policies, eroding governance, and reducing transparency in global climate negotiations.

 

Key Findings of the CPI 2024 Report

  1. Widespread Corruption Across the Globe:
    • Around 85% of the world’s population resides in countries with a CPI score below 50, indicating significant corruption in public institutions.
    • These countries struggle with weakened democratic structures, lack of transparency, and mismanagement of public resources, particularly in sectors related to environmental and climate policies.
  2. India’s Performance in CPI 2024:
    • India scored 38 out of 100, showing a decline of one point compared to 2023.
    • The country has been ranked 96th globally, indicating persistent governance challenges, regulatory loopholes, and corruption risks in both public and private sectors.
  3. Least Corrupt Countries:
    • Denmark, Finland, and Singapore emerged as the top-ranking nations, scoring the highest CPI values due to their strong institutional frameworks, effective anti-corruption measures, and transparent governance structures.
  4. Most Corrupt Countries:
    • South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela ranked at the bottom of the list, reflecting systemic corruption, weak law enforcement, and lack of political stability.
    • These countries face severe governance failures, misuse of public resources, and an absence of mechanisms to combat corruption.

 

How Corruption is Affecting Global Climate Action?

Corruption plays a significant role in derailing global climate policies by undermining environmental governance, misallocating resources, and prioritizing corporate or political interests over public welfare. The CPI 2024 outlines five key ways corruption is obstructing effective climate action:

  1. Weakens Climate Policies and Regulations:
    • Corrupt practices enable powerful corporate groups—especially those in the fossil fuel and industrial sectors—to manipulate climate policies for their own benefit.
    • This leads to weaker regulations, loopholes in environmental laws, and delays in implementing necessary climate policies, preventing effective action against climate change.
  2. Erodes Governance and Law Enforcement Mechanisms:
    • Corruption results in inefficiency and lack of accountability in government institutions responsible for environmental protection, emissions control, and conservation efforts.
    • When officials accept bribes or engage in corrupt deals, policies that should prioritize sustainability and long-term environmental goals end up serving private interests instead.
  3. Misuse and Misallocation of Climate Funds:
    • Many climate-vulnerable nations have CPI scores below 50, making them high-risk zones for fund misallocation and corruption.
    • Governments and agencies responsible for distributing climate funds often divert these resources away from their intended purpose, resulting in ineffective climate programs and failure to assist affected communities.
  4. Worsens Inequality and Social Disparities:
    • Marginalized and vulnerable communities suffer the most from corruption, as they have limited influence over policy decisions.
    • The mismanagement of disaster relief funds, climate adaptation projects, and environmental development schemes further widens economic and social inequalities, making these communities more susceptible to the impacts of climate change.
  5. Undermines Multilateralism in Climate Negotiations:
    • Corruption in global climate negotiations allows fossil fuel lobbyists and corporate stakeholders to influence decision-making, resulting in weaker global agreements.
    • Lack of transparency in international climate treaties and poor enforcement of environmental commitments reduce the effectiveness of collaborative efforts like the Paris Agreement.

 

Recommendations to Combat Corruption in Climate Governance

The CPI 2024 emphasizes that tackling corruption is critical to ensuring the success of global climate action. Transparency International proposes the following strategic measures to strengthen governance, prevent financial mismanagement, and enhance public accountability:

  1. Strengthen Anti-Corruption Measures in Climate Finance and Policies:
    • Governments should implement strict regulations to prevent corruption in climate financing, resource allocation, and environmental project management.
    • Independent auditing and monitoring systems must be established to ensure funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
  2. Increase Transparency in Climate Policy and Decision-Making:
    • Governments should enforce clear regulations on lobbying activities, especially in industries linked to fossil fuels, deforestation, and carbon emissions.
    • Open-access climate finance records should be maintained, allowing civil society organizations and media to scrutinize expenditures and project outcomes.
  3. Enhance Investigations and Protections for Whistleblowers & Activists:
    • Whistleblowers, journalists, and environmental activists must be given legal protection to expose corruption in climate governance without fear of retaliation.
    • Law enforcement agencies should proactively investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations involved in misusing environmental funds.
  4. Promote Public Engagement and Inclusion in Climate Policies:
    • Governments must involve local communities—especially those directly affected by climate change—in policy discussions and implementation processes.
    • Public consultations, participatory governance models, and grassroots environmental movements should be encouraged to ensure greater accountability.

 

Conclusion

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 underscores the critical link between corruption and climate change, showing how poor governance, financial mismanagement, and corporate influence are obstructing urgent environmental action. The findings indicate that corruption not only weakens national and global climate policies but also exacerbates social inequalities and economic disparities.

While some countries demonstrate strong governance and transparency, a majority of the world's population still lives in nations where corruption is a significant barrier to climate progress. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-pronged approach, involving robust anti-corruption measures, increased transparency, public engagement, and international cooperation. Only through collective efforts and accountability-driven reforms can global stakeholders effectively combat corruption and accelerate meaningful climate action.

 

Source: https://transparencia.org.es/wp-content/uploads/CPI2024_Report_EN.pdfTop of Form