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Corruption and renewable natural resources
Transparency International
Transparency International
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Abstract
"The relationship between corruption and environmental outcomes is far from straightforward. There is limited empirical research to support anti-corruption practitioners in their work or to guide policy-makers in their decisions. 2 This paper seeks to build on and complement the previous work of Transparency International (TI) by extending its analysis to other renewable sectors. Since 2000, TI has been engaged on the issue of corruption in renewable natural resources. It has focused its attention on the degradation of the world’s forests and the linkages between corruption and related unsustainable practices.3 2. The impacts of corruption Environmental degradation is commonly viewed as a problem of ‘collective action’ and abuse. Different citizens place demands on the environment to meet their needs. As these actions add up, they strain the natural resource (renewable and non-renewable) capacity of a country — and the world. Conservation efforts seek to rein in citizens from overusing and abusing renewable resources by passing policies and changing behaviours. However, corruption enables individuals to supersede these frameworks and endanger the environment. Different forms of corruption may be used to prevent appropriate regulations from being introduced and implemented. High-level political corruption can stop policies from ever being developed. Lower-level petty corruption can derail even the best designed policies. The extent of corruption’s impact on environmental conservation efforts is still debated.4 One widely-held belief among conservationists is that corruption directly reduces the effectiveness and efficiency of programmes designed to protect renewable resources. Corruption is also seen as indirectly undermining conservation by siphoning off financial resources available for initiatives. In countries where corruption is endemic, the lack of public accountability may prove an irresistible incentive for individuals to use natural resources as they wish. This view is supported by the observation that countries with poor governance and high levels of corruption often possess the most renewable natural resources — and suffer from some of the gravest environmental risks.5"
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2008
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With permission of the license/copyright holder