The European Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (EUROSAI) technical workshop for the application of the ClimateScanner came to an end on June 7 in Prague, Czech Republic. The meeting trained over 40 auditors from 25 Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) to evaluate government actions related to the climate crisis. 

The technical meeting was designed to encompass broad participation and provide a practical opportunity to apply the content and train in the use of the tool. The discussion sessions explained in detail how to evaluate each item based on three axes: financing, governance, and public policies. Through interactive activities, each participant used the ClimateScanner with real data from their country or through information from fictitious countries.

Image credit: Czech Republic SAI

"With this information, SAIs will have a clear understanding about their respective priorities for action based on the visualization of critical data, providing a solid basis for strategic and efficient audits. The EUROSAI workshop is a significant step forward in the proper use of the tool as a form of governance and transparency," emphasizes Carlos Lustosa, director of the TCU's Audit Department for Agriculture, Environment, and Economic Development. 

The meeting was opened by representatives from the Czech Republic SAI, the INTOSAI WGEA, the TCU and the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). Subsequently, the President of the Swedish Climate Policy Council, Ola Altera, highlighted in his masterclass, that estimates suggest that the world has probably already reached its peak in greenhouse gas emissions and is now on a downward trajectory. According to the climate, energy and industry sustainability specialist, the next step is to intensify actions to capture carbon or negative emissions.

Image credit: Czech Republic SAI

The EUROSAI workshop was organized by the TCU, in partnership with the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Audit (WGEA), the EUROSAI and the Czech Republic Supreme Audit Institution.  

Representatives from Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, England, Ireland, Italy, North Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Ukraine met in the Czech Republic.

Image credit: Czech Republic SAI

SAI Auditors from 43 countries have already been trained to apply the ClimateScanner, 17 of whom are from the Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS). From June 24 to 28, an additional 24 countries will take part in the next technical meeting of the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (PASAI) and the Caribbean (CAROSAI). 

About ClimateScanner

ClimateScanner is an initiative of the Chair of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), held by the TCU, in partnership with the INTOSAI Working Group on Environmental Auditing (WGEA). 

The main goal is to develop the methodology to enable SAIs to promote quick evaluations of government actions related to the climate crisis, in three axes: governance, financing and public policies. The consolidation of the results from the various countries will make it possible to obtain an overview of actions to tackle the climate crisis at a global level.