The LobbyMap database is updated on a weekly basis. This tool allows users to keep track of how the world's largest and most influential companies and industry associations are seeking to influence climate policy in real-time.
Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) Chairman Tokura expressed high regard for the inclusion of the use of hydrogen and ammonia alongside renewable energy and nuclear power at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, but did not clarify the decarbonization of the hydrogen and ammonia production processes.
ExxonMobil appeared unsupportive of the goal to achieve a global net-zero emissions economy, as per its DEFA14A proxy statement filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17th. The company claimed that it is “highly unlikely” that society would accept the “degradation in global standard of living” required to permanently achieve the IEA net-zero emissions by 2050.
According to a May 23rd Financial Times article, Boeing CEO, Dave Calhoun and International Air Transport Association (IATA) CEO, Willie Walsh, emphasized the costs associated with a transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Calhoun warned biofuels used as aviation fuel would “never achieve the price of jet fuel”, while Walsh stated that the extra cost would have to be passed onto passengers.
In a May 17th Tweet, Airlines For Europe (A4E) Acting Managing Director, Laurent Donceel, opposed the postponement of votes on the ReFuelEU legislation. Donceel stated that the impasse between France and Germany over the inclusion of nuclear energy in the Renewable Energy Directive was “jeopardising” the EU’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate, arguing that it is avoidable and shouldn't lead to renegotiations of the policy.
In a May 17th article reported by Hankyung, the Korea Automobile & Mobility Association (KAMA) called for the enactment of the ‘Future Vehicles Special Act’, stating that it is necessary to “provide comprehensive and systematic support” for the electrification of Korean automotive parts companies.
In a May 21st interview with Financial News, the Chairman of H2KOREA, Moon Jae-do, called for the government to provide financial support and institutional incentives for the ‘hydrogen economy’, without stating the need to decarbonize the hydrogen production method.
In an Italian parliamentary hearing on 18th May, Confindustria reiterated its opposition to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, questioning the legitimacy of the EU’s competency to mandate reuse over recycling, and calling for a complete rethink of the policy.
In a May 16th press release, the advocacy group Ceres described its policy priorities during its annual LEAD on a Clean Economy event - an advocacy event which gathered dozens of companies from May 17th-18th on Capitol Hill to urge policymakers to support clean energy policy. Companies advocated for policymakers to increase the ambition of climate policy and to support permitting reform to “accelerate deployment of clean energy infrastructure.” Participating companies included Adobe, Best Buy, Danone, DHL, Diageo, DSM, Enel, Holcim, HP Inc, Mars, Microsoft, National Grid, Nestle, Netflix, Paypal, PepsiCo, Public Service Enterprise Group, Salesforce, Siemens, Starbucks, Unilever, and VF Corp.
On May 18th, Bloomberg reported that Toyota's chief scientists promoted a longer-term role for internal combustion engine powered hybrids over the rapid electrification of road transport in a speech, stressing concerns around battery resources availability, renewables deployment and charging infrastructure.
In response to the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) in March 2022, obtained through FOI request, PensionsEurope did not support EIOPA's proposed changes to required disclosure from occupational pension funds as it “may be premature to request detailed ESG data on a regular basis from IORPs”, also highlighting high costs. Dutch and Belgian pension associations, Pensioenfederatie and PensioPlus offered similar positions.
In comments made regarding the Japanese "GX promotion bill" on May 12th, the Chairman of Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan (FEPC), Kazuhiro Ikebe, appeared to support renewable energy in Japan, but also supported government intervention to introduce hydrogen, ammonia and carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the energy mix.
In a May 16th Nikkei GX article, the chairman of Japan Gas Association supported investments in fossil gas, stating “thermal power and other forms of power generation will be necessary as a regulator”.
In a May 10th position paper, Airlines For Europe (A4E) opposed an EU jet fuel tax, emphasizing costs, competitiveness and carbon leakage concerns. A4E also argued the tax would impede tourism and decarbonization efforts by diverting funds from decarbonization solutions. In the position paper, A4E further appeared to leverage its support for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, EU sustainable aviation fuels mandate, and global Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme to oppose the kerosene tax.
In written testimony before the May 11th Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources hearing to “Examine Opportunities for Congress to Reform the Permitting Process for Energy and Mineral Projects”, American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet advocated for permitting reform to expedite project approvals without taking a clear position on the role of various energy types in the energy mix. In his testimony, Grumet emphasized that there was no political possibility of moving forward legislation that applies “principally on fossil energy” or “only seeks to apply process improvements to new clean energy technologies”, and so permitting reform would have to support “all competitive energy sources.”
In a May 11th press release, Advanced Energy United advocated for policymakers to support the New York Home Energy Affordable Transition (HEAT) Act, which would repeal existing subsidies for new fossil gas connections. The legislation, which failed to be included in the state budget, is still under consideration in the final days of the legislative session.
In a May 11th press release, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President Tom Kuhn stated that EEI has been directly engaging with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advocate for several priorities to be included in the newly proposed standards for power plant emissions, including “recognition of the critical role existing and natural gas generation plays – and will continue to play.”
In a May 11th press release, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) appeared to support the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s newly proposed rules for power plant emissions. PG&E stated that it supported the EPA “taking action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from electric generation facilities, including gas-fired power plants.”
In a May 11th press release, Advanced Energy United CEO Heather O’Neill supported the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s newly proposed rules for power plant emissions. In her statement, O’Neill emphasized that the rules are “an important first step toward building a decarbonized energy grid in the United States.”
In a May 1st opinion article written in RealClearEnergy with Business Roundtable, Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good advocated for permitting reform to expedite fossil fuel production. Good explicitly cited the war in Ukraine and reduced production from OPEC as justification for the U.S. to “export more energy” to allies.
In a May 12th press release, the American Petroleum Institute (API) opposed the US Environmental Protection Agency’s recently announced emissions standards for power plants. It also opposed EPA’s tailpipe emissions regulations. The API claims that both these regulations would discourage investment in oil and gas in the US.
