Background

The interlinkages between climate change and corruption are not evident for all. While ongoing discussions and actions on both topics take place in different scenarios at local, national, regional, and international level, the sensitivities around their connection are barely discussed.

Their causes and consequences have a direct impact on people’s lives, not only on health issues, but also on economy, development, social cohesion, among other grounds.

The harms caused by climate change translates to human rights violations, such as the rights to life, culture, housing, and food, while even triggering a number of challenges, including forced migration and discrimination. In the same vein, all human rights can be restricted by corrupt practices, by worsening the situation of those persons and groups in situation of vulnerability and marginalization ‘in particular from less developed countries.

This reality encompasses the active action of different stakeholders, including through the enhancement or adoption of laws and public budget, existence of effective mechanisms, policies, programs as well as other initiatives towards better societies for all. In this regard, Parliaments play a crucial role through the oversight of Governments and the implementation of recommendations coming from the ratification of international treaties.

Lacking or loose legislative measures in this regard can be observed from transparency in decision-making that may not offer the necessary conditions to avoid or mitigate bad practices on climate change; similarly, the impacts of climate change can be used as the ideal context for committing corruptive practices, by curving priorities in the correct use of resources.

As a contribution to this effort, the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) together with The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR.) organize the Virtual Roundtable “Parliamentary accountability and good governance for climate change.”

This event, will take place on Wednesday, at 15:00 CET/16:00 Doha, on the 29th of May, 2024. It will be held on Zoom; those participants who registered through this media will be added to the Zoom list and will be receiving the link before the meeting. You can also directly register on https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1BgysCieTti1VZ0uE8SwFg