Environment

New international project targets corruption risks in carbon markets

Carbon markets are meant to help finance forest protection and climate action. Yet too often they are undermined by weak governance, corruption risks and a lack of transparency. Concerns over the credibility of some carbon credits erode trust in a system designed to channel climate finance and support forest-dependent communities. A new international project aims to address these challenges head-on by strengthening governance and anti-corruption safeguards across forest carbon markets. The Basel Institute on Governance is pleased to join this effort as a project partner, contributing its expertise through the Green Corruption programme. A collaborative effort for better carbon market governance The project, Towards Inclusive Governance for Forest Carbon Markets, is led by Transparency International and funded by the UK Government through the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office FCDO Forest Governance, Markets and Climate programme. Running until March 2028, the initiative brings together a consortium including the Basel Institute on Governance, Resource Extraction Monitoring and local Transparency International chapters in focus countries. Together, the partners will work to reduce corruption risks in forest carbon markets and strengthen the integrity of carbon credit systems. The project will focus on three key countries – Indonesia, Ghana and Cameroon – supporting governments, civil society organisations, certifiers, private sector actors and forest-dependent communities to better identify and mitigate corruption risks linked to carbon credit projects. Carbon markets are inherently transnational: credits may be generated in one country, verified in another and purchased in a third. This complexity creates opportunities for corruption networks to exploit regulatory gaps, conflicts of interest and weak oversight mechanisms. The project aims to close those gaps by combining evidence generation, national advocacy and international engagement. Bringing anti-corruption expertise to forest carbon markets The Basel Institute will play a central role through our Green Corruption programme, which focuses on tackling corruption linked to environmental crimes and natural resource governance. Our team is leading the project’s first major output: consolidating available data, gathering evidence to identify typologies of corruption risks in forest carbon markets and developing global, gender-sensitive guidelines to help prevent them. Working closely with partners and national stakeholders, we are leading the organisation of corruption risk identification workshops in Indonesia and Ghana. These workshops will bring together key actors across the carbon market ecosystem to map corruption vulnerabilities in carbon markets systems and identify practical actions to mitigate these risks. The findings will feed into country-specific risk assessments. In parallel, our team is conducting an assessment of global carbon markets governance dynamics and vulnerabilities to corruption. Ultimately national and international assessments will inform the development of global guidelines, which will be designed to strengthen anti-corruption safeguards across carbon markets. These global guidelines will then support advocacy and reform efforts led by Transparency International and its national chapters. We will also contribute to global advocacy efforts by advising international certification bodies and other actors on improving safeguards and governance standards in carbon markets. Dr Amanda Cabrejo le Roux, Deputy Director of the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption programme, said: “Carbon markets hold real promise for forests, communities, and the climate — but promise alone isn't protection. Like any system that moves money at scale, they are vulnerable to those who would bend the rules for personal gain. The first step is a rigorous analysis of corruption risks: mapping scenarios and building clear typologies, through sector-wide workshops and consultations with all key stakeholders. From there, those same actors can work together to develop practical mitigation measures — building a system that is genuinely resilient. That is exactly what this project sets out to do." Part of a wider “green” governance agenda The project aligns with the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption strategy, which increasingly focuses on corruption and governance challenges linked to climate change and the global energy transition. Forest carbon markets involve complex financial flows, transnational actors and high-stakes environmental outcomes, making strong governance and anti-corruption safeguards essential. With years of experience analysing corruption risks in environmental and natural resource sectors and beyond, the Basel Institute is well placed to contribute to this work. By contributing our expertise to the project, we aim to help ensure that carbon markets deliver on their promise: protecting forests, supporting communities and advancing credible climate action. Learn more View the full project overview on the Transparency International website. Interested in corruption and governance in the environmental space? Join the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum, a global community of practitioners jointly led by the Basel Institute on Governance, Transparency International, WWF and TRAFFIC.

Advancing Malawi’s efforts against corruption and environmental crime

Malawi’s forests and wildlife are under growing pressure from illegal exploitation, driven by rising demand for natural resources and enabled by corruption and illicit financial flows. From illegal logging to wildlife trafficking, environmental crimes not only threaten biodiversity and local livelihoods, but also weaken public institutions and deprive the country of vital resources for sustainable development. Charcoal illustrates the complex challenges involved: According to Malawi’s National Charcoal Strategy 2017–2027, 97% of households rely on illegally and unsustainably sourced charcoal and firewood for cooking and heating. In response to the resulting deforestation and forest degradation, the government has tightened enforcement against illegal wood harvesting and charcoal production while promoting alternative cooking fuels. Building on several years of collaboration with government partners in Malawi, the Basel Institute on Governance is launching a new project to strengthen the country’s response to environment-related financial crime and corruption. The three-year initiative, Mainstreaming Malawi’s progress in tackling environment-related financial crime and corruption , is funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs DEFRA and implemented through the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption programme. Activities have commenced on the ground and will run through to June 2028. A joined-up approach: enforcement and prevention The project supports Malawi’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Forestry and Anti-Corruption Bureau in strengthening both enforcement capacities and corruption prevention systems linked to wildlife and forestry crimes. Rather than focusing solely on individual criminal cases, the initiative takes a broader institutional approach. It combines financial investigation techniques and case-based mentoring with efforts focusing on prevention to strengthen internal controls, improve inter-agency coordination and reduce corruption vulnerabilities within environmental agencies themselves. Among the planned activities are: mentoring investigators and prosecutors working on corruption and money laundering cases linked to wildlife and forestry crime; supporting the development of digital case registration and tracking systems to strengthen case management from investigation to prosecution; helping Institutional Integrity Committees and internal auditors identify and mitigate corruption risks; and developing training, practical guidance and knowledge products to support long-term institutional capacity. Dr Amanda Cabrejo le Roux, Deputy Director of Green Corruption and the project lead, said: “This project represents a significant step forward in our efforts to support environmental agencies in protecting Malawi’s wildlife and natural resources, while also reinforcing institutional integrity. By combining financial investigation techniques with robust prevention systems, we help our government partners create a sustainable framework for countering financial crime linked to the environment.” Building on proven partnerships The project expands on earlier DEFRA-funded work implemented jointly by the Basel Institute and the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, which helped strengthen anti-corruption responses to wildlife crime through a combination of enforcement support and corruption prevention measures. Through this and over a decade of engagement in Malawi, we enjoy strong working relationships with Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau, Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Forestry and Malawi Police Service – partnerships that now provide the foundation for broader and more ambitious work on environment-related financial crime. The initiative also connects to the Basel Institute’s wider Green Corruption programme, which supports governments and partners around the world in addressing corruption linked to environmental crime, climate change and the global energy transition. As global demand for timber, minerals and other natural resources increases, corruption risks linked to environmental exploitation are becoming more complex and transnational. Through our work in Malawi and beyond, the Basel Institute aims to strengthen the governance systems needed to protect natural resources, safeguard communities and ensure environmental policies can be effectively enforced. Learn more Find out about the Green Corruption programme. Interested in corruption and governance in the environmental space? Join the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum, a global community of practitioners jointly led by the Basel Institute on Governance, Transparency International, WWF and TRAFFIC.

Authorities step up action on “green corruption” in Bolivia as new global programme launches

A high-level meeting in La Paz, Bolivia brought together senior government officials and international partners to address a key driver of environmental crime: corruption. The event was one of the first public activities under the Basel Institute on Governance’s new UK-funded programme, “Building a global network to prevent biodiversity-related corruption.” Participating authorities signed a joint declaration to strengthen integrity and prevent “green corruption” in the management of natural resources. This is an important step. Strong political will is essential to tackle corruption risks that undermine conservation. The declaration shows a clear commitment by government partners to take action. The event in March 2026 was jointly organised by the Basel Institute’s Green Corruption team in Latin America, Bolivia’s Vice Ministry of Transparency, Legal Certainty and Human Rights, and the Forest and Land Authority ABT . Sessions combined international perspectives – including from Peru’s Secretariat for Public Integrity and Basel Institute experts – with practical group work. Participants analysed real corruption risks affecting environmental governance and explored concrete prevention measures. The event built on previous programmes in Bolivia and the region, particularly in the forestry sector, where partners have already made important progress in strengthening integrity systems. A major driver of biodiversity loss? Corruption Corruption is a major enabler of environmental crime and illegal wildlife trade. It weakens law enforcement, undermines regulations and reduces the impact of conservation efforts. Yet most responses still focus on enforcement alone. Preventing corruption risks in the first place remains largely overlooked. Prevention, not just enforcement This is what the Basel Institute’s new programme aims to change. Running until the end of 2028, the programme supports government partners in Bolivia, Indonesia, Madagascar and Malawi. It is funded by the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund of the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Instead of focusing only on catching crimes, it focuses on stopping them from happening. A particular focus is on strengthening everyday administrative systems. This is where corruption most often undermines conservation outcomes. The programme will help partner agencies to identify where corruption occurs in processes such as licensing, inspections and resource management. Our teams will then help partners to design and implement practical measures to reduce those risks. It is in this patient, detailed work with frontline officials that the real impact actually happens. A safe space for governments to learn from each other A key innovation is the creation of a Wildlife Corruption Prevention Support Network. This network brings together government practitioners from different countries to openly discuss challenges, share experiences and test ideas. This kind of frank, practical exchange is rare, but essential. It allows partners to learn directly from each other, avoid repeating mistakes and move faster. Scaling what works globally The programme will also develop a global database of tested anti-corruption measures. This will capture practical tools, lessons learned and real-world examples. Together, the network and the database will help countries scale what works, rather than starting from scratch. By strengthening systems and connecting practitioners, the programme aims to reduce corruption risks at their source. In the long term, this will help protect biodiversity, curb illegal wildlife trade and support more sustainable and equitable use of natural resources.

Professor Anne Peters on how anti-corruption organisations can survive in today’s volatile world

Professor Anne Peters, a renowned scholar of international law and governance, stepped down from her role as Vice President of the Basel Institute on Governance at the end of 2025. In this Q&A she looks back at her involvement with the Basel Institute since its inception more than 23 years ago. Her insights emphasise the importance of underpinning anti-corruption and governance efforts with interdisciplinary academic research, and of connecting abstract concepts like governance and asset recovery to real-world challenges like human rights, biodiversity and climate change. She traces the Basel Institute’s path from a small group of friends driven by individual passion to a highly professional, global centre of expertise on anti-corruption and asset recovery. This professionalism, she says, is essential for non-profit organisations to survive and even thrive in today’s unstable new world. Anne is known for her pioneering work on animal rights, human rights and corruption. She holds long-standing academic positions as Director of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law MPIL Heidelberg and Professor of International Law at the University of Basel. You were a part of the Basel Institute from the beginning. How did it all start? My engagement with the Institute took root when I joined the University of Basel in 2001 and met Professor Mark Pieth, the Institute’s founder and former President. He was involved in establishing the Wolfsberg Group, an early multi-stakeholder initiative of banks focused on developing anti-money laundering guidelines. This was a time when concepts like banking due diligence and know-your-customer were relatively unknown, and the idea of multi-stakeholder associations didn’t even exist. Because of Mark Pieth’s personal standing as a Professor of Criminal Law at the University of Basel and as Chair of the OECD Working Group on Bribery, he received requests for advisory and consultancy services on problems of corruption and governance. The Basel Institute gradually rose out of those beginnings, helped by individuals like Gemma Aiolfi and Thomas Christ, who continued to play key roles at the Institute for the next two decades. Back then we used to meet in cafés or in Mark’s office, and we just had a letterhead and a flyer describing the Basel Institute on Governance. Things became more formalised when we received seed funding from a foundation, drafted statutes and – this was the game-changer – hired Gretta Fenner in 2005. Gretta was the first paid staff member. We miss her dearly. What excited you about it? What did you bring from the academic world? I was young, I had energy and I liked Mark as a colleague and friend. The concept of governance was also quite new and exciting. I am a public international lawyer, not a criminal lawyer, so I had little technical expertise in corruption or money laundering. But since these crimes have clear transnational dimensions, my background in international law made sense. I was able to bring the academic perspective to the Institute’s work, later reinforced by Lucy Koechlin and Claudia Baez Camargo, who joined to lead research on public and global governance. The association with the University of Basel was crucial. It gave structure to the original idea: providing practical advice and assistance on corruption and governance, grounded in academic research. An important aspect was financing doctoral students who would work at the Basel Institute while completing their PhDs. I supervised three such dissertations. This academic underpinning and insistence on research and evidence is still one of the Basel Institute’s strongest points. What other milestones and innovations do you remember? A major academic milestone was our conference on non-state actors and the resulting book, Non-State Actors as Standard Setters , which was published with Cambridge University Press in 2009. The term “non-state actor” – covering the private sector as well as non-profit organisations, academia, the media and the like – was still novel. I co-edited the book with Gretta Fenner, Lucy Koechlin and our former Board colleague and social anthropologist Till Förster. It was a serious and influential publication that is still cited today. I remember us retreating for a full day to review drafts. At first the mix of different writing styles and perspectives – political science, law, social anthropology and sociology – was a bit of a shock. Then we realised the value of this interdisciplinary nature in helping to gain a holistic perspective of how non-state actors can contribute to setting governance standards in the messy world of real life. Again, this interdisciplinary approach remains central to the Basel Institute’s current work. How did the Basel Institute’s work expand into so many different areas – from asset recovery to conflicts of interest, to money laundering in the art market. What’s the connection? Personal interests, reputations and networks mattered greatly. And new concepts were appearing in the international anti-corruption arena. People and governments needed help working out how to apply them in practice in different contexts. That’s what happened with asset recovery, a concept that appeared in the 2003 UN Convention Against Corruption with the aim of depriving corrupt actors of their criminal gains. We developed a distinct workstream at the Basel Institute that soon became the International Centre for Asset Recovery. The concept and practice of Collective Action – sustained, trust-based multi-stakeholder collaboration with the private sector to address specific corruption challenges – evolved in large part thanks to our colleague Gemma Aiolfi’s tireless efforts. Similarly, it was a personal interest that led myself and fellow board member Lukas Handschin to edit a book on Conflict of Interest in Global, Public and Corporate Governance published by Cambridge University Press. It’s a topic that I was convinced was underappreciated at the time and is now, in these current times, showing its importance. We did early work on money laundering in the art market. Again this was a personal interest of our board member Thomas Christ that is now a key concern for not only money laundering but sanctions evasion. A newer area we have helped to establish internationally is green corruption, i.e. applying anti-corruption and governance tools to address challenges like the mass extinction of species, biodiversity decline, the climate crisis. This is a topic that is dear to me personally and that is evolving fast. Common to this all is how the Basel Institute applies anti-corruption and governance research and tools to different fields that really matter in the world, from business to health to environmental protection. And human rights? How does that connect to corruption? My interest in the intersection between corruption and human rights grew from Gretta’s involvement in several side events at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. I began thinking about legal relationships between corruption and human rights and whether, for example, states have a human rights obligation to protect citizens from corruption. I wrote a Working Paper on the topic for the Basel Institute back in 2015 and later published two academic papers. You can get a short overview of the topic in this Quick Guide to corruption and human rights. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights UN Human Rights references my work in a recently published practical guide on corruption and human rights to which I contributed, as well as other work of the Basel Institute on human rights in the context of asset recovery laws. It’s great to see our scholarly work being used to underpin practical international guidance that will ultimately have impact on people’s lives. What does the current global context mean for anti-corruption efforts and organisations like the Basel Institute? We are in a period of profound global change. The political order is fundamentally shifting and the optimism of the 1990s is all but gone. The United States, an early driver of international anti-corruption treaties, efforts and successes, is retreating from its role. In some countries, anti-corruption laws and campaigns are misused for political purposes. Even if concepts like good governance, rule of law, human rights and democracy don’t seem to be en vogue right now, they remain important. Not least because they, and corruption, are key to understanding and tackling today’s toughest challenges, from poverty and inequality to crime and conflict. So non-profit organisations like the Basel Institute are more essential than ever, as are other non-state actors dedicated to tackling corruption and governance challenges. But it’s not easy for small organisations to survive in this rocky world, and many face their own governance challenges. That’s why it’s good that the Basel Institute has professionalised its governance and compliance structures over the years, while keeping the sense of passion and personal conviction that characterised its early years. Any bright side for those who care about anti-corruption and governance? On the positive side, public awareness, opposition and global debate about corruption is far stronger than in the past. And much of international law – on travel, transportation, communication, diplomatic relations etc. – functions quietly and effectively every day. Despite how dire the current situation seems, change for the better has only ever occurred after major catastrophes. For example, the establishment of the International Criminal Court in 1998 was a direct result of the rape camps and the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The question is how severe crises must become and how much they must affect people directly before meaningful reform occurs. Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, for example, are slow-moving crises that still feel abstract to many. What’s coming up for you personally? In my research I remain focused on the big-picture development of the international legal order. I look forward to the publication in 2026 of the Oxford Handbook of Global Animal Law , which I co-edited and which seeks to authoritatively establish this fairly new field of international law. Alongside my research I continue to advise the German Foreign Affairs Department and sometimes the Swiss, too , and will serve as an expert witness on international legal questions in a case before a domestic court. And, of course I will continue to follow and support what the Basel Institute is doing. The organisation and its mission remain dear to my heart. Thank you, Anne Peters, for your time and for your unwavering support and guidance over so many years. We wish you well in your future endeavours and adventures.

From seedlings to saplings of hope: updated report on promising efforts to address environmental corruption

The diversity of activities to prevent and combat corruption that harms the environment is laudable. But it is far from the scale needed to tackle today's corruption and environmental challenges. Adopted in 2019, UNCAC Resolution 8/12 – Preventing and combating corruption as it relates to crimes that have an impact on the environment – urges States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption UNCAC to prevent, investigate and prosecute corruption offences where they may be linked to crimes that have an impact on the environment. In 2023, the Basel Institute on Governance published its Working Paper 50, Seedlings of hope , providing a panorama of emerging and promising initiatives across the world since the adoption of Resolution 8/12. The new Working Paper Saplings of hope , prepared for the 11th Conference of the States Parties CoSP in Doha, Qatar in December 2025, highlights what progress has been achieved since then. The report was made possible by the generous support of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Below are the main takeaways, but we urge you to read the full Working Paper for concrete examples from Bolivia, Canada, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, Ukraine and other countries. Corruption prevention measures States have implemented a host of initiatives to strengthen integrity systems. Most commonly, this included the revision and adoption of internal control policies, more dedicated risk management efforts, including through the establishment of corruption prevention committees, and a range of capacity building efforts to strengthen environmental agencies’ ability to mitigate their own corruption risks, such as workshops on ethics codes and other integrity measures. Whistleblower protection programmes were increasingly designed, implemented and promoted. Corruption risk assessments were conducted in sectors such as wildlife management, forestry and fisheries. Promising corruption prevention interventions include: Conducting regular corruption perception and experience surveys among staff. This can help assess both progress and the effectiveness of corruption prevention measures. It can also create baselines against which to measure progress. Not enough interventions and reform efforts start with such a baseline, which means they then struggle to assess progress. Involving high-level management and leadership at each stage of the corruption prevention approach. This can help develop ownership and accountability. Explaining how integrity efforts support the strategic and political priorities of the leadership is crucial to achieve this. It requires adapting technocratic approaches to be relevant to the institutional leadership. Stipulating a mandatory budget for corruption prevention across ministries, agencies and departments. This can help ensure that minimal investments in integrity and anti-corruption activities are effectively prioritised and implemented. Sanctions for not respecting the mandatory budget should be imposed. Launching awareness-raising campaigns to promote knowledge of anti-corruption measures. This is an important first step to their effective implementation. Developing whistleblowing mechanisms. They can help increase reporting and detection of corruption. To achieve their potential, whistleblower mechanisms require a strong system, reliable protections and an institutional culture that welcomes such feedback. Peer-to-peer learning for government representatives from different countries and institutions to exchange on corruption prevention actions. This can be relevant, as anti-corruption officials often struggle with similar institutional challenges. Peer exchanges can help people and institutions to learn from each other’s successes and challenges and jointly identify effective mitigation measures. Enforcement actions Several countries have investigated and prosecuted corruption cases linked to crimes that have an impact on the environment. Financial investigations and money laundering legislation are more frequently used to tackle these crimes. The systematic seizure and confiscation of assets is still just beginning, as is the creation of multi-agency and interdisciplinary task forces, nationally and internationally. However, enforcement actions on corruption as it relates to crimes that have an impact on the environment are still limited. Promising enforcement interventions include: Assessing the economic, social and environmental losses from cases of corruption linked to crimes that have an impact on the environment – and using these to calculate associated penalties and fines – can help compensate and restore some of the harm done. Combining calculations of losses due to corruption with those of losses due to the environmental crimes can result in stiffer sentences and penalties. Seizing and confiscating proceeds and instrumentalities of crime bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, machineries, etc. through the diverse legal instruments available in jurisdictions can help ensure that crime does not pay. It also removes the resources needed to continue activities that harm the environment, thereby halting ongoing destruction. Exploring legal avenues outside the anti-corruption field can help strengthen enforcement. These include legislation on money laundering and tax offences as well as the social re-use of seized and confiscation assets, sanctions and visa bans. Essential role of civil society and the media Alongside States, civil society organisations and the media have played an essential role in increasing our understanding of the relationship between corruption and crimes that have an impact on the environment. Their efforts span investigative reporting, publishing evidence-based research, capacity building, creating networks to bridge the gap between anti-corruption and environmental practitioners, as well as initiating strategic litigation cases. Their involvement is all the more commendable given that they are facing an increasingly repressive environment. The way forward As the Working Paper highlights, various activities are taking place to tackle corruption linked to crimes that have an impact on the environment. The paper picks out those that show significant promise. The diversity of engagements is laudable, but it is far from the scale needed to make a systemic difference to both societal corruption and environmental challenges. States Parties need to adapt and scale up initiatives that are effective or look promising, by, among other things: Ensuring more robust staffing and prioritisation of corruption prevention systems in government and state-owned enterprises tasked with conserving, managing or trading natural resources. Developing specialised knowledge and expertise of governmental institutions and agencies to better address corruption that impacts the environment. Incorporating anti-corruption measures into environmental and natural resource policies and strengthening environmental governance structures to include anti-corruption internal controls and mechanisms. Dedicating greater resources for specialised law enforcement to pursue complex financial flows linked to corruption and crimes that have an impact on the environment. Increasing inter-agency collaboration and conducting joint operations on corruption that has an impact on the environment. Making use of legal frameworks and testing new legal avenues to hold individuals and legal persons accountable, including through asset recovery and remedies to repair the damage. Engaging in platforms for representatives from governments, civil society and other stakeholder groups to exchange experiences and know-how in tackling corruption that has an impact on the environment. Sharing knowledge, case law, success stories, etc. Ensuring that this issue is integrated in all relevant United Nations processes such as the ones related to climate and biodiversity. Protecting and defending civil society space, press freedom and human rights defenders working on the environment and corruption-related issues. As these initiatives have now been conducted for six years, there is a sufficient body to scrutinise their effectiveness and efficiency. It is therefore essential to rigorously assess these measures, especially in an environment of increasingly scarce financial resources. Addressing corruption that has an impact on the environment The Working Paper also makes a case for moving from the concept of “corruption as it relates to crimes that have an impact on the environment” to “corruption that has an impact on the environment”. Focusing solely on corruption linked to crimes that have an impact on the environment overlooks situations where corruption causes environmental harm without an associated criminal offence. It does not take into consideration pressing issues such as corruption linked to climate finance, renewable energy and the exploitation of critical minerals. Adopting a holistic approach is crucial to address all forms of corruption that affect the environment, and thus to protect the environment and people. Learn more Read the full Working Paper 61: Saplings of hope: Addressing corruption that has an impact on the environment in line with UNCAC Resolution 8/12 and beyond View the recordings of the "Environment Day" at the 11th CoSP. Learn more about our Green Corruption programme

Corruption risks in the forestry sector in Ukraine