Transparency International calls on Green Climate Fund to strengthen the protection of whistleblowers

In an open letter addressing the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Transparency International recommends key improvements to the fund’s policy on the protection of whistleblowers and witnesses. The call comes in light of the growing scale of climate action investments, which present heightened risks of corruption and require strong governance frameworks to safeguard against malpractice.

The GCF manages over 250 projects across 129 countries, valued at US$13.9 billion, with an aim to handle US$50 billion by 2030. Transparency International emphasises the importance of effective whistleblower protections to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of funds. Whistleblowing has proven to be the most effective way to uncover corruption, fraud and other malpractices.

The GCF adopted its policy on the protection of whistleblowers and witnesses in 2018, and in June 2024 the GCF’s Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) published a thorough and insightful evaluation of the GCF’s approach to whistleblower and witness protection. The evaluation will be discussed during a GCF Board meeting this week.

Transparency International is urging the GCF to revise the policy to align with international best practices, incorporating our and IEU recommendations. Key concerns include the lack of clarity regarding the types of wrongdoing that can be reported under the current policy and the overly stringent requirements for whistleblower protection. Additionally, low awareness and trust in the system among GCF personnel significantly undermine its effectiveness. The GCF should expand the scope of the policy to cover reports of any unlawful, abusive, or harmful actions or omission. The policy should strengthen protections for whistleblowers, including those reporting anonymously, to national authorities, or to civil society organisations and the media in certain cases. Addressing retaliation effectively, improving confidentiality, enhancing communication with whistleblowers, and increasing accessibility of reporting channels and awareness of the policy are also essential steps.

Marie Terracol, Whistleblower Protection Lead at Transparency International, said:

“To enhance the effectiveness of the GCF policy on the protection of whistleblowers and witnesses, it is crucial that civil society organisations and key stakeholders are actively involved in its revision through timely and comprehensive public consultations. Their participation will bring valuable experience and expertise to the process, fostering greater awareness, trust and support among all potential users.”