A high-level conference titled “Addressing Corruption and Other Integrity Risks in Climate Finance” was held on December 2–3, organised by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), the World Bank, and the Green Climate Fund.
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion on “Innovative Technologies to Address Climate Finance Integrity Risks in Latin America and the Caribbean.” This session delved into how advanced technologies can help identify, mitigate, and prevent integrity risks in climate finance across the region. Latin America and the Caribbean face distinct challenges in ensuring the effective and ethical use of climate funds. The panel underscored the potential of innovative tech solutions to enhance transparency, accountability, and impact in climate-related financial flows—while respecting local contexts and safeguarding indigenous rights.
The panel featured contributions from leading institutions, including ESA, IOBuilders, ESRI, IDB Lab, VU Security, MapBiomas, and Adhara. Alex Chunet, a member of ESA’s Global Development Assistance (GDA) team, shared insights on leveraging Earth Observation (EO) technologies to address corruption and integrity risks in climate finance. Notable EO applications discussed included integrating satellite data into digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems for carbon finance, using EO to monitor and detect environmental risks, and preparing for the implementation of the EU’s forthcoming Deforestation Regulation.
The conference underscored the growing recognition of EO’s potential to enhance the uptake of transparent and accountable practices within International Financial Institutions (IFIs). The event generated significant interest in scaling EO technologies across development banks and climate funds, further cementing GDA’s role in driving the adoption of EO for sustainable development and climate resilience.
