The race to transition to renewable energy is on. But speeding ahead without safeguarding transparency, integrity, and justice risks leaving communities and governance systems behind. Can these two imperatives—urgency and accountability—work together, or are they destined to clash?
This think piece, authored by Dr. Dieter Zinnbauer, explores the tension between moving fast to meet climate goals and ensuring robust governance practices. Through expert interviews and cross-disciplinary research, it challenges the assumption that accountability always slows progress. In fact, strategic transparency, digital tools, and smarter processes can often clear the path for faster, more equitable outcomes.
Yet, some trade-offs can’t be avoided. This paper provokes a deeper conversation about balancing these priorities, offering lessons from fields like crisis procurement and administrative reform to guide both governance and energy transition communities.
TAI invites you to join the discussion. Read the full piece, share your insights, and reach out to us on TAI’s social channels to keep the conversation going.
The views are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of TAI members.
Dr. Dieter Zinnbauer has more than 25 years of research, policy and innovation experience in the area of integrity and governance with leading universities (LSE, Harvard, Oxford), think tanks (Carnegie, U4, IDEA), IGOs (UN, UNDP, EC) and NGOs (TI, OGP). Most recently he has examined the corruption risks in the renewables sector (EITI) and as fellow at Copenhagen Business School he explores the political responsibilities of business. Dieter holds a PhD from LSE in international development and an MSc in Economics from University of Regensburg.