A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
ABB is a member of CBI President's Committee, East of England Council, North West Regional Council and the Manufacturing Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Chief Executive Officer of ABB Ltd is Chair of CBI North West Council
Ian Funnell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
ABB is a member of CBI President's Committee, East of England Council, North West Regional Council and the Manufacturing Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Chief Executive Officer of ABB Ltd is Chair of CBI North West Council
Ian Funnell
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
ABB is a direct member of WindEurope (correct as of June 2022)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
ABB no longer appears to be a member of WindEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
A senior executive of ABB is a board member of WindEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
ABB is a direct member of WindEurope (correct as of June 2022)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
ABB no longer appears to be a member of WindEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
A senior executive of ABB is a board member of WindEurope
not specified
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
Open PDF file of Data Source
Climate Lobbying Overview: ABB appears generally supportive of policy action on climate change from 2019-21. ABB has consistent positive top-line messaging on climate change, appears supportive of global legislation to promote energy efficiency, and has communicated support for the electrification and decarbonization of transportation.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: ABB has positive top-line communications on climate change. ABB has consistently supported the Paris Agreement, including in a 2019 COP25 position paper and 2020 sustainability report, released in 2021. ABB further urged the US to commit to the agreement in a 2019 press release, and also welcomed the Biden Administration’s decision to rejoin in a January 2021 press release. ABB further appeared to support a 1.5°C global warming target in a 2021 interview with the Climate Group. Additionally, ABB’s CEO, Bjorn Rosengren, signed a joint letter in 2021 supporting the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target alongside another joint letter in 2020 that supported the European Green Deal.
Engagement with Climate-Related Policy: ABB appears to have mostly positive engagement with climate-related policy. Regarding energy efficiency legislation, ABB CEO Bjorn Rosengren signed a joint CEO Alliance letter supporting EU Renovation targets of at least 3% to decarbonize buildings. A 2021 Op-Ed by ABB India’s Motion-Business President in the Times of India further appears to advocate for higher motor energy efficiency standards in India. Furthermore, a 2021 ABB white paper on high-efficiency motors appears supportive of regulations to promote energy-efficient motors.
In a 2021 EU consultation response, ABB appeared to support phasing out SF6 greenhouse gases in the EU, stating that “a ban on SF6 will force us to develop new, optimized solutions through R&D and innovation.” A joint letter signed by ABB CEO Jorn Rosengren in 2021 further suggests support for the EU’s 2030 55% GHG emissions target. Other joint letters signed by ABB’s CEO in 2020 and 2021 support a growing price floor in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) but on the condition of maintaining industry competitiveness and extending the EU ETS to mobility, transport, and buildings, respectively.
Positioning on Energy Transition: ABB appears to have mostly positive positioning on the energy transition. Regarding transportation, ABB signed an open letter in 2021 promoting electric vehicles (EVs) by opposing a proposed EV tax in Victoria, Australia. Additionally, in testimony to the US House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, ABB Marine and Ports urged the government to support the decarbonization and electrification of shipping, including through research and development policies. A 2021 ABB white paper on ‘Improving Transport Efficiency’ also supports the electrification of global rail and a 2020 Op-Ed by ABB’s Head of E-Mobility stated general support for the electrification of transportation. Furthermore, ABB announced in 2020 it would be a founding member of ZETA, a US industry group promoting 100% EV sales in the US by 2030.
Regarding transitioning to a low-carbon energy mix, ABB’s CEO signed joint letters in 2020 and 2021 from the CEO Initiative for Europe's Recovery, Reform and Resilience and Equilibre des Energies respectively, generally promoting electrification and a low-carbon transition for the EU energy mix. However, another joint letter signed by ABB to the EU Commission in March 2021 advocated for a higher CO2 threshold for hydrogen under the EU taxonomy, promoting a role for unabated natural gas in the energy mix.
Industry Association Governance: ABB does not provide a clear public disclosure of its membership in industry associations on its website and it has not published a review of its alignment with its industry associations. ABB is a direct member of the American Petroleum Institute and National Association of Manufacturers, both of which have consistently opposed ambitious climate policy in the US, as well as the Edison Electric Institute, which demonstrates mixed engagement with US climate policy. In the EU, ABB memberships include the European Roundtable for Industry (ERT), which has mixed but increasingly positive engagement on climate policy, and SolarPower Europe, which has consistently lobbied for more ambitious EU climate policy. ABB is also a member of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA), which has consistently advocated against ambitious climate policy in Australia, and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which has supported ambitious climate legislation in the UK.