Ahead of COP27, the U.S. can certainly point proudly to its historic investments of hundreds of billions of dollars into clean energy. An additional way for the Biden administration to bolster its climate policy is by finishing the job on a slew of anti-corruption reforms.
As world leaders gather this week in New York for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), an epidemic of offshore wealth looms large over efforts to safeguard a turbulent post-pandemic world. Faced with myriad unpredictable crises, ranging from historic floods and droughts to widespread food scarcity and brewing recessionary fears, governments around the world are facing a need to raise revenues to stave off disasters and have a chance to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The growing nexus of environmental crimes and illicit finance is demanding action, and environment, conservation and anti-corruption advocates alike are taking note. On June 28th and 29th, FACT hosted a virtual convening of over 60 civil society activists, experts, and policymakers to discuss this policy intersection, identify shared priorities, and discuss joint advocacy strategies.
This week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) handed Amazon investors a major victory in their drive for greater tax transparency. In response to Amazon’s attempts to exclude a shareholder proposal urging greater disclosures, the SEC ruled that the company must include the proposal in its upcoming annual meeting of investors, to be held in May.
With the global climate summit COP26 just concluded and the Summit for Democracy – with its emphasis on combating corruption – right around the corner, now is the perfect time for activists to bring together the fights against corruption and climate change.
Operating in financial secrecy, bad actors are free to profit from environmental degradation, and in doing so undermine the global fight against climate change. As global leaders make new commitments this week at COP26, it’s time that politicians promise to shine a light on global financial secrecy, particularly the use of anonymous shell companies, as a crucial climate reform.
