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Climate Governance Integrity Programme

Climate & Corruption Case Atlas - Climate Governance Integrity Programme

  • United Kingdom
  • Liberia

UK Firm Accused of Bribery to secure Forest land in Liberia

Corruption Type

Bribery

In 2007, a British company approached the government of Liberia and wanted to negotiate for around a fifth of the country’s rain forests. The company wanted get into the carbon-offset business, but had no experience in the field – it had previously been manufacturing fairground games. After Global Witness raised concerns about this lack of expertise, as well as the lack of consultation and safeguarding mechanisms in the process, London police arrested the company’s CEO in 2010 on allegations of bribery. Authorities later released him without charges, several government officials were dismissed. The case highlights the corruption risks of carbon-offset projects, particularly in densely forested, developing countries.

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