The ClimateScanner Executive Group met at the Serzedello Corrêa Institute (ISC) for Capacity Building in Brasília,  to discuss the preliminary results of the tool. Representatives from 19 countries and members of the United Nations (UN) system attended the meeting. The week of activities served as preparation for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan.

The initial findings of the ClimateScanner platform were presented during the event, highlighting recommendations for improving governance, public policies, and climate-related financing. Minister Vital do Rêgo, Vice-President of the Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), opened the meeting and emphasized the project’s global significance. He stated, “As COP29 approach, this week is dedicated to evaluating our progress, sharing results, and celebrating the insights gained from ClimateScanner assessments.”

Minister Vital do Rêgo emphasized the crucial role of financial support for developing countries in tackling climate challenges. He stated, “Climate actions must be tailored to local realities and needs.”

Walter Baère, Legal Director of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), reaffirmed Brazil's global leadership in fighting climate change. He stated, 'With 90% of our energy derived from renewable sources, Brazil sets an international example. Protecting the Amazon and supporting indigenous communities are essential actions that align with our current priorities and must continue. These efforts have already created over 10 million jobs in the Amazon region by linking sustainable development with environmental preservation.

The ClimateScanner, involving 141 countries, has a global impact equivalent to seven billion people. According to Kátia Fenyves, climate change specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the platform is crucial for identifying investment gaps, promoting transparency in resource management, and guiding actions towards the energy transition. She emphasized, “Reducing pollutant gases is urgent, and transparency is essential for the success of these initiatives.”

Andrea Bozon, Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), commended the efforts of the ClimateScanner Executive Group. He stated that addressing the current climate reality necessitates concrete actions. Bozon acknowledged the project as a visionary initiative with the potential to make a significant impact.

The Importance of Communication in the Climate Crisis

Communication emerged as a pivotal factor in addressing the climate crisis during the meeting. Heloisa Fischer, founder of Comunica Simples, highlighted the importance of adapting technical language to make the climate agenda accessible not only to policymakers but also to the public. She emphasized, 'Reimagining language and aligning it with people's everyday lives is a key differentiator in projects like ClimateScanner. Initiatives like this must be widely disseminated and embraced by both authorities and citizens.

The TCU's Secretary of Communication, Ana Cristina Siqueira Novaes, presented the flowchart and key strategies employed to democratize information for both the Court's internal audience and Brazilian citizens. In 2023 alone, the TCU responded to over 1,800 media inquiries, resulting in over 39,000 press mentions.

Novaes highlighted the significance of effective communication and strong stakeholder relationships for a significant impact of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). She explained, “Communication can foster trust, ensure the relevance of audits, and reinforce the role of SAIs in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.”

ClimateScanner

ClimateScanner is an initiative led by the presidency of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), currently held by the TCU, in partnership with the Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA). The main goal is to develop a methodology that allows Supreme Audit Institutions to conduct rapid assessments of national governments' actions related to the climate crisis. The project is supported by BNDES, IDB, the World Bank, UN-DESA, and UNDP.