The Larger the Bounty, the Larger the Investment: Climate Events and Donations

• In Event: Corruption, Bureaucracy, and Policymaking

Abstract

This paper studies the impact of climate-related events on campaign finance in mayoral races in Colombia. The exacerbation of natural events due to climate change causes a positive income shock led by transfers from the central government, which can lead to an increase in campaign contributions as a result of a larger local budget. By analyzing data from Colombian mayoral elections, this study found that climate-related emergencies had a significant positive impact on campaign income for mayoral candidates. The increase in funding was observed among multiple candidates and was attributed to candidates, their relatives, and private donors. Although the motives behind this increase in campaign contributions are not clearly evident, procurement discretion allowed during natural disasters could attract more money into politics, potentially allowing more benefits to donors.

Authors

• Laura Guerrero

• Robin Harding, University of Oxford

• Nelson Alejandro Ruiz, University of Essex