The influence of corruption on environmental sustainability in developing states | Experts’ Opinions

The word ‘corruption’ is associated with poverty, ineffective laws and uncertainty. In reality, its undesirable consequences extend beyond this and have a tremendous negative impact on conservation management. Corruption is said to obstruct the implementation of conservation policies, for instance bribery may result in poaching in protected reserves. Moreover, some say it represents a serious challenge to humanity’s struggle to halt climate change. We analyzed this topic more deeply by asking several experts in the field to share their opinions and experiences on this issue.

How does corruption affect environmental sustainability and the fight against climate change?

“Society’s development is built, among other things, on the environment. Indeed, natural resources are production inputs but simultaneously they are elements of nature. Furthermore, the environment is at the centre of where we live and thrive. Hence, an imbalance in nature affects development possibilities and societies, not to mention animals, plants and other biotic elements. Corruption affects public policy, expressed in legal frameworks, for the protection of the environment. In particular, corruption is a private benefit for public servants when acting for, supposedly, the benefit of the community. Lack of integrity corrodes the effects of policies by circumventing environmental legal frameworks. Thus, the aims of environmental protection are not attained. This is particularly detrimental in the current emergency that the planet is experiencing due to global warming and its effects will cause greater floods and droughts. The scores of deaths, illnesses and economic impacts will affect certain countries. Consequently, the effects of corruption will contribute to accelerating these calamities.”

“Governments are supposed to have the authority, power and resources to impact the campaign in the fight against climate change but, due to corruption, they become a force to be reckoned with by the people who want to advance the fight against climate change. Also, given that all the technical people and the necessary tools are already within the government, corruption has actually diminished these tools and resources into money-making machinery for politicians or corrupt people who are in a position of power in the government, e.g., a greening program which becomes a money-making scheme for corrupt politicians instead of helping the campaign in the fight against climate change. Also, it sets negative examples to other individuals who are environmentalists or have a heart for nature since if corruption is tolerated in the government then ordinary people will think that they cannot do anything since the government itself can be bought by illegal loggers or unscrupulous individuals.”

“The misallocation of natural resource concessions to companies for exploitation in exchange for illegal payment to corrupt politicians lessens the efficiency of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Corruption, at the same time, minimizes the strictness of environmental legislation and policy application, reducing the credibility of the authorities and expectations for them to draft reliable long-term plans to fight against and adapt to the negative impacts of climate change.”

“Corruption happens mainly in regard to power and authority. Environmental protection agencies should maintain a clear separation between business/commercial interests. For example in my country, Indonesia, the Indonesian Ministry that handles the environmental protection agenda is also the authority that issues forest concessions (i.e., giving legal rights to private companies, both domestic and international, that want to exploit the natural resources in the Indonesian forests) which is quite unfortunate. Climate change should not be treated according to political boundaries and it must be done, instead, in accordance with global cooperation. Educating multiple stakeholders across value-chains is perhaps the best way to end the corruption that prevents climate change adaptations and risk mitigations.”

“With regard to developing and poor countries, this question can be divided into two parts. The first is corruption at the government level and the second at the recipient level. At the government level, corruption lies in the fact that the funding allocated by international partners is not used effectively and might be directed to create the appearance of events or support enterprises affiliated with members of the government. The second level of corruption (which I encountered personally while working in some organizations) is when projects are sabotaged or deliberately delayed if local leaders do not see a personal financial interest.”

What strategies could be adopted to combat corruption within environmental sustainability?

“There are two types of corruption. Petty corruption revolves around acts of bribery and other criminal activities where public servants are involved for their own benefit. Grand corruption is the involvement of governments and economic actors or economic groups for their own benefits. Both kinds of corruption should be fought relentlessly. Particular effort should be exerted on grand corruption, as the general effects are larger for societies. Strategies vary, but transparency, accountability and access to justice are essential to this fight. Of particular importance is the protection of environment defenders as they risk their lives and means of subsistence to fight against the lack of integrity. Another important strategy is to secure independent and well-funded judiciaries to enhance access to justice.”

“Areas which have already been declared for natural preservation should be vehemently guarded and the strict implementation of the law should be applied. Corruption should be punished in a more severe way, perhaps, since its effects are negative not only for our environment but will also affect future generations. It is also necessary that there should be a continuous campaign at the grass root level and where possible eco-tourism destinations are a good model to not only preserve the natural environment but also to provide livelihoods for the inhabitants of the area.”

“Some ideas: implement value-based leadership to encourage effective governance; involve community-based organizations for audit and to control bad practices affecting the environment; reduce bureaucracy and make the process more transparent; law enforcement and the application of regulations.”

“The correct architecture of the state bodies who are responsible for policies in the sector is of high importance. For example, in Indonesia, a country with 17,000+ islands, we must focus on reorganizing the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Indonesian: Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan) which are two opposing forces living under one roof. Separating them into two different Ministries would be ideal to achieve “Checks and Balances”. With the environment being the lead focus for Southeast Asia, the merged ministry has lost an environmental perspective. I believe this practice should be duplicated in the states with similar problems”

“In my opinion, the most effective strategy would be to motivate international players to enter the markets of developing countries and also the direct support of local initiatives and companies. In particular, we are now working on the creation of a local company that will deal with the development, verification and support of projects. Our goal is to minimize the participation and influence of the state, as well as to facilitate the access of capital to the market to make the market more transparent and understandable for investors and partners.”

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