GCF Board Member Nauman Bhatti, EAC Chair Stefan Schwager, Executive Director Yannick Glemarec, and Head of IIU Ibrahim Pam speak about anti-corruption at the GCF.

Statement of the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund
on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day 2019

09 December is designated by the UN General Assembly as International Anti-Corruption Day. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) joins the international community to mark the event and raise awareness on the negative impact corruption can have on climate action.

Corruption undermines sustainable development and the capacity of countries to realise their climate ambitions and protect their population. It increases risks, it drives up costs, and deters investment. GCF has an obligation to ensure that funds are used for their intended purposes. We apply strong integrity standards in our climate finance operations and work with our stakeholders to develop robust systems while keeping corruption at bay.

GCF will continue relentlessly to assist its partners in ensuring 0% tolerance for corruption, for 100% climate action.

Yannick Glemarec
Executive Director
Green Climate Fund

Statement of the Head of the Independent Integrity Unit on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day 2019

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Halting the climate crisis will require large-scale investment in order to achieve globally-agreed climate goals and initiate a truly systemic transition across global, regional, and national economies.

Climate finance is a fast-growing envelope in addressing climate change. While GCF plays a crucial role in scaling up climate finance, it can, unfortunately, be vulnerable to corruption. Without strong governance standards, climate finance can be diverted from vital mitigation and adaptation activities into catastrophic effects for countries already suffering.

Improved standards of governance will lead to better climate change investment, targeting areas of most need. Addressing the climate crisis will need joint efforts of governments, civil society, and the private sector in the fight against corruption.

GCF is committed to the highest standards of integrity. To promote greater transparency and accountability in climate finance, the Independent Integrity Unit will continue to work with its stakeholders to mitigate corruption risks and strengthen transparency and accountability.

In commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day, we call upon all National Designated Authorities, Accredited Entities, and delivery partners to continue working together towards the common goal of zero-tolerance against prohibited practices. We can only achieve good results when we all take a collective stand against this complex menace. Break the chain of corruption and make climate action more impactful.

Ibrahim Pam
Head of Independent Integrity Unit
Green Climate Fund