Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview In 2021-23, ASML Holding appears to have limited engagement but positive top-line messaging on climate policy.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy In a news release from May 2022, the CEO of ASML Holding, Peter Wennink, recognized the need for urgent action to combat climate change, stating that “Climate change is a global challenge that requires urgent action by everyone.” In its 2022 Annual Report published in February 2023, the company stated support for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. This position was strengthened from its 2021 Annual Report published in February 2022, that stated support for limiting “the temperature rise to well below 2°C”. The company expressed mixed positions about carbon pricing in its 2020 Annual Report published in February 2021, emphasizing the financial costs but advocating for its use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: ASML Holding appeared to have limited engagement with specific climate-related regulations in 2021-23. It did not respond to question 12.3 in its 2022 CDP Climate Change Information Request and did not appear to engage with climate-related regulations on its corporate website.
Positioning on Energy Transition: ASML Holding appeared generally supportive of a move towards the decarbonization of the energy sector and the electrification of transport in its 2022 Annual Report published in February 2023. In a news release from February 2021, the company stated broad support for the energy transition, but it was unclear whether this position is aligned with IPCC advice on delivering 1.5°C warming.
Industry Association Governance: ASML Holding did not disclose its membership to industry associations in its 2022 CDP Climate Change Information Request. There also did not appear to be a dedicated disclosure of its engagement with industry associations on its corporate website. ASML has not published a review of its alignment with its industry associations. The company appears to be a member of BusinessEurope, an industry association with predominantly negative positioning on EU climate policy. Additionally, the company appears to be a member of the Dutch Employers’ Federation (VNO-NCW), an industry association with mixed positioning on EU climate policy.