Global corruption watchdog-Transparency International has warned of uncouth people that are corruptly looting global climate funds globally and devoid of transparency, a call for state and non-state actors to unite and plug the wanton plunder of resources meant to insulate people and the environment from the climate change crisis.

Launching Zambia’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in Lusaka, Tuesday, a barometer that scores and ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as assessed by experts and business executives over the uncouth vice-defined as an “abuse of entrusted power for private gain”, Transparency International (TIZ) warns against complacency towards safeguarding the much sought after Climate Fund.

The global report by TIZ has raised alarming levels of corruption and lack of transparency in various dealings at country and global level. The watchdog warns of a cartel that is abrogating transparency in their dealings that has emerged and is plundering the climate finances through dubious means at the expense of climate change-ravaged Least Development Countries (LDCs) striving to mitigate and insulate against the crisis.

TIZ, in a statement, warns against deceptive characters manipulating the climate change fund for their selfish interests and that the launch of the CPI for Zambia, one of the beneficiaries of the same fund to insulate against damage was an opportunity to reflect on global, regional and country efforts in fighting corruption.

The action is also expected to help climate change players and other campaigners to acknowledge the improvements made, and to identify areas that require urgent collective action as outlined and evidenced through the global TIZ report in which the 2024 CPI opens the Pandora box on how globally, the fight against corruption, remains stagnant.

Corruption within climate finance poses a growing threat to Zambia’s ability to effectively respond to the climate crisis. The lack of transparency in climate-related funds increases the risk of misallocation, regulatory capture, and undue influence from private interests. If Zambia is to truly embrace a green and sustainable future, integrity must be at the center of our climate policies and initiatives.

Based on findings on the extent of corruption and lack of transparency on fund utilization, TIZ conclusively based its findings and themed the report around corruption and the climate crisis, to illustrate an important perspective on how national, regional and global anti-corruption efforts intertwine with climate action or lack thereof.

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The launch of the CPI provides players an opportunity to reflect on global, regional and country efforts in fighting corruption and also to acknowledge the improvements made, and to identify areas that require urgent collective action.

As the world grapples with the climate crisis, Chansa warned that corruption poses a huge obstacle and is a silent threat to addressing and redressing the climate crisis, arguing:

“The inadequacy of transparency and accountability mechanisms increases corruption risks in climate finance, as climate funds for mitigation or adaptation maybe misused or embezzled.

TIZ global report shows the extent of plunder of climate-related and other funds availed in various countries and that over half of the world’s nations continue to score below 50/100, an indication of a global challenge in combating public sector corruption effectively.

Incidentally, Denmark remains the least corrupt country with a score of 90/100; while South Sudan, Somalia, and Venezuela sit at the bottom, as nations that are plagued by weak institutions, restricted freedoms, and deep-rooted corruption, perform poorly on the CPI.

The Sub-Saharan region continues to be the lowest performing region, with an average score of 33/100. Seychelles continues to lead the region on the CPI, with a score of 72/100, followed by Cape Verde at 62/100.

In 2024, Botswana and Rwanda are both in third place, scoring 57/100, while Mauritius rounds up the top five on the continent with a score of 51/100. The bottom performers in the region are South Sudan (8/100), and Somalia (9/100).

Zambia’s CPI image, apparently improved last year by a marginal two points, rising to 39/100 in 2024 from 37/100 a year earlier. This outcome was accompanied by a six-place jump in global ranking from 98 to 92 out of the 180 countries on the CPI, the report says.

Climate change players during the COP 29 in Baku agreed to set aside a paltry US$300 billion to meet all global mitigation and adaptation needs, despite LDCs seeking more to cover the extent of damage.

The COP29 saw developed countries pledge to “take the lead” in raising US$300 billion annually for developing countries by 2035. This is up from the US$100 billion, a year that was pledged in 2009.

Sources close to the COP 29 contend that based on the agreements made at COP 29, developed countries pledged to mobilize at least $300 billion per year in climate finance by 2035.

The wider goal of reaching a total of $1.3 trillion per year from all sources by the same date was conceived; this is also considered the key outcome of the conference regarding climate funding.

Some critics have frowned and gnashed their teeth at the meagre $300 billion. They argue the target is significantly lower than what developing countries need to effectively address climate change.