We have expanded the list of climate policies we assess company engagement with to incorporate land-use related policy, referring to legislative or regulatory measures to enhance and protect ecosystems and land where carbon is being stored. Assessments under this category are currently underweighted in terms of their contribution to the overall company metrics. This weighting will be progressively increased over the next 6 months.
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)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that Cefic is aligned with BASF's views (as of October 2022)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF CEO is President of Cefic (as of October 2022)
Martin Brudermüller
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
A senior executive on the board of directors at BASF is a vice-president of Cefic's executive committee
Saori Dubourg
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that Cefic is aligned with BASF's views (as of October 2022)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF CEO is President of Cefic (as of October 2022)
Martin Brudermüller
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
A senior executive on the board of directors at BASF is a vice-president of Cefic's executive committee
Saori Dubourg
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that ERT is aligned with BASF's views
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF Chairman and CEO is a board member of the ERT, as well as being the Chairman of ERT's Competitiveness & Innovation Committee which is relevant to climate / environment (correct as of August 2022)
Martin Brudermüller
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF CEO is a Working Group Chair of ERT
Kurt Bock
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that ERT is aligned with BASF's views
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF Chairman and CEO is a board member of the ERT, as well as being the Chairman of ERT's Competitiveness & Innovation Committee which is relevant to climate / environment (correct as of August 2022)
Martin Brudermüller
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF CEO is a Working Group Chair of ERT
Kurt Bock
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executives of BASF are chairs of several BDI working groups, for example the working group on energy efficiency in buildings and the working group on circular economy, SCP and resource efficiency. CEO of BASF is on the Presidential Board of BDI (correct as of January 2023)
Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Dr. Renate Becker-Arnold, Johanna Coleman, Dr. Alissa Zeller, Dr. Stefan Engel, Dr. Klaus Wittstock
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In its 2021 Industry Association Review BASF stated that BDI's positions are aligned with its own
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executive of BASF is Chair of the Working Group on Export Controls, and senior executive is Chair of the working group on energy efficiency in buildings. CEO is chair of The Committee on Research, Innovation and Technology Policy
Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Dr. Renate Becker-Arnold and Johanna Coleman
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of BDI
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executives of BASF are chairs of several BDI working groups, for example the working group on energy efficiency in buildings and the working group on circular economy, SCP and resource efficiency. CEO of BASF is on the Presidential Board of BDI (correct as of January 2023)
Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Dr. Renate Becker-Arnold, Johanna Coleman, Dr. Alissa Zeller, Dr. Stefan Engel, Dr. Klaus Wittstock
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In its 2021 Industry Association Review BASF stated that BDI's positions are aligned with its own
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executive of BASF is Chair of the Working Group on Export Controls, and senior executive is Chair of the working group on energy efficiency in buildings. CEO is chair of The Committee on Research, Innovation and Technology Policy
Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Dr. Renate Becker-Arnold and Johanna Coleman
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of BDI
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executive is on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers
Tobias Dratt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of NAM
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior Executive of BASF was Board Member of NAM
Teressa Szelest
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executive is on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers
Tobias Dratt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of NAM
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior Executive of BASF was Board Member of NAM
Teressa Szelest
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that VCI is aligned with BASF's views
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
The CEO of BASF is a vice-president of VCI (Up to date as of April 2022)
Dr. Martin Brudermüller
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that VCI is aligned with BASF's views
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
The CEO of BASF is a vice-president of VCI (Up to date as of April 2022)
Dr. Martin Brudermüller
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CEOE (updated May 2023)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
The Managing Director of BASF Española is President of the Comisión de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Ambiente
Carles Navarro Vigo
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CEOE
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CEOE (updated May 2023)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
The Managing Director of BASF Española is President of the Comisión de Desarrollo Sostenible y Medio Ambiente
Carles Navarro Vigo
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CEOE
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Chairman & CEO of BASF Corporation is on the board of ACC (as of November 2022)
Michael Heinz
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that ACC is aligned with BASF's views
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of ACC.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of ACC
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Chairman & CEO of BASF Corporation is on the board of ACC (as of November 2022)
Michael Heinz
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that ACC is aligned with BASF's views
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of ACC.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of ACC
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executiveof BASF is Chair of IFIEC Europe's Working Party on Gas (updated May 2023)
Jochen Wagner
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is an indirect member of IFIEC through Febeliec
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
President European Site & Verbund Management at BASF is on the board of the trade association VIK which is a member of IFIEC
Dr. Uwe Liebelt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
CEO of BASF signed IFIEC's 2014 manifesto
Kurt Bock
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
Senior executiveof BASF is Chair of IFIEC Europe's Working Party on Gas (updated May 2023)
Jochen Wagner
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is an indirect member of IFIEC through Febeliec
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
President European Site & Verbund Management at BASF is on the board of the trade association VIK which is a member of IFIEC
Dr. Uwe Liebelt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
CEO of BASF signed IFIEC's 2014 manifesto
Kurt Bock
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that BusinessEurope is aligned with BASF's views
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
BASF is a partner company in the Corporate Advisory and Support Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that BusinessEurope is aligned with BASF's views
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
BASF is a partner company in the Corporate Advisory and Support Group
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF subsidiary, Wintershall Dea, is a member of the IOGP and its COO is Chair of the European Board (updated May 2023)
Dawn Summers
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF subsidiary, Wintershall Dea, is a member of the IOGP, stating in its 2020 Sustainability Report that it participates in environmental and social working groups in the association
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF subsidiary, Wintershall Dea, is a member of the IOGP and its COO is Chair of the European Board (updated May 2023)
Dawn Summers
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF subsidiary, Wintershall Dea, is a member of the IOGP, stating in its 2020 Sustainability Report that it participates in environmental and social working groups in the association
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that ICCA is aligned with BASF's views
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of ICCA
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
In BASF's 2021 Industry Association Review it states that ICCA is aligned with BASF's views
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of ICCA
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is an extraordinary member of VDA (updated May 2023)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF Catalysts Germany and BASF Polyurethanes are members of VDA's Manufacturer Group III
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is an extraordinary member of VDA (updated May 2023)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF Catalysts Germany and BASF Polyurethanes are members of VDA's Manufacturer Group III
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of the Chemical and Allied Industries' Association (CAIA website, up-to-date May 2023)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of the Chemical and Allied Industries' Association (CAIA website, up-to-date May 2023)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of the Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás (Up to date as of August 2022)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of the Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás (Up to date as of August 2022)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CBI North West Regional Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CBI Manufacturing Council and North West Regional Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CBI North West Regional Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
BASF is a member of CBI Manufacturing Council and North West Regional Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
A subsidiary of BASF, BASF Renewable Energy, is a member of WindEurope (correct as of June 2022)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap can no longer find evidence of BASF's membership of WindEurope
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
A subsidiary of BASF is a member of WindEurope
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
A subsidiary of BASF, BASF Renewable Energy, is a member of WindEurope (correct as of June 2022)
not specified
--no extract--
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap can no longer find evidence of BASF's membership of WindEurope
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
A subsidiary of BASF is a 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: BASF is actively and strategically engaged with climate change policy in Europe, taking negative positions on several key policies such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). BASF’s generally positive position on the energy transition contradicts that of its subsidiary Wintershall Dea, which advocates for a continued role for fossil fuels, including oil and fossil gas, in the energy mix.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: BASF seems to support climate change action in its top-line messaging, with some exceptions. The company stated support for the EU’s target of climate neutrality by 2050 in a position paper, accessed in January 2022. However, BASF’s 2022 Annual Report, published in February 2023, seemed to not fully support the EU Green Deal, stating it will reduce competitiveness of the European chemical industry, and includes CEO Martin Brudermüller criticizing the 'flood of regulation' the Green Deal brings about, advocating for a 'reset' of priorities. The German news outlet Handelsblatt reported in October 2021 that the CEO Martin Brudermüller did not support the EU and Germany’s climate ambition, stressing the risks of unilateral action and impacts on international competitiveness. In an industry association review, published in November 2021, BASF supported the need for long-term government strategies to reduce emissions, advocating for outcome- and market-oriented cost-effective regulations, and stressing that they must preserve international competitiveness. In its 2022 Annual Report, published in February 2023, BASF supported the UN Paris Agreement goals.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: BASF seems to engage with climate change regulations in the EU and Germany with predominantly negative positions. In a May 2021 Handelsblatt article, the CEO did not seem to support] increasing Germany’s GHG targets, and the company advocated for “economically feasible and technologically reasonable” GHG reduction targets in the US in its Q2 2022 lobbying disclosure.
In its 2021 CDP Climate Change Disclosure, the company did not support reforms to increase the ambition of the EU ETS, advocating for the maintenance of the free allocation of emissions allowances and indirect cost compensation. Furthermore, in a response to an EU public consultation in November 2021, BASF stated there are “fundamental and probably unsolvable hurdles” in the EU Commission’s proposed CBAM and in June 2022 the CEO signed an open letter ahead of decisions in EU Parliament and Council calling on EU policymakers to weaken their proposals for a CBAM, as well as reforms to the EU ETS.
In a position paper, accessed in January 2022, BASF advocated that energy efficiency legislation should allow for increases in energy consumption. The company supported increased renewable energy production to decarbonize industry in an industry association review in November 2021, but in response to an EU public consultation in the same month, the company supported the inclusion of low-carbon hydrogen, produced with fossil gas and CCS, in the Renewable Energy Directive renewable hydrogen target.
Positioning on Energy Transition: BASF appears to support the transition of the energy mix, with exceptions. In the company’s 2021 Annual Report, published in February 2022, the CEO Martin Brudermüller supported increasing the role of renewable energies in the energy mix. However, BASF’s oil and gas subsidiary, Wintershall Dea, has consistently stated support for a long-term role for fossil gas, and hydrogen produced with fossil gas in the energy mix, for example in its comments on the EU Hydrogen and Gas Decarbonisation Package in April 2022. In a May 2022 press release Wintershall Dea CEO Mario Mehren advocated for a role for fossil gas in reaching energy independence, calling it a “clean energy source”, and in October 2022 he expressed support for investments in gas and oil production in a social media post. Furthermore, Wintershall Dea advocated for the expansion of oil and fossil gas production outside of Europe in several fact sheets and press releases in January and February 2023, including in Egypt, Algeria, Mexico and Argentina.
Industry Association Governance: BASF disclosed a list of memberships to industry associations in its industry association review in November 2021, which outlined the associations’ positions on climate policy and a framework for reviewing alignment, but did not find any misalignments. Company executives have senior leadership roles in a number of industry associations that do not appear to be supporting key climate change policies in the EU, notably the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Cefic and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in the US. Subsidiary Wintershall Dea holds leadership positions in a number of negatively engaged gas industry associations, including Eurogas, the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) and GasNaturally.
A detailed assessment of the company's corporate review on climate policy engagement can be found on InfluenceMap's CA100+ Investor Hub here.
InfluenceMap collects and assesses evidence of corporate climate policy engagement on a weekly basis, depending on the availability of information from each specific data source (for more information see our methodology). While this analysis flows through to the company’s scores each week, the summary above is updated periodically. This summary was last updated in Q1 2023.