Climate Lobbying Overview: Citigroup (Citi) appears to have had limited climate policy engagement, with positive top-line messaging on climate.

Top-Line Messaging on Climate Policy: Citi clearly supports the science of the IPCC, citing its scientific conclusions in multiple reports including its 2021 Green and Social Bond Report and its 2021 Environmental and Social Policy Framework.. Citi has signed multiple joint letters calling for action to achieve net zero and CEO Jane Fraser has stated support for action to combat climate change. In 2019, then-CEO Michael Corbat signed the United for Paris Agreement letter, urging the United States to rejoin the Paris Agreement, and in a 2021 joint letter Citi expressed its support for the United States’ return to the Agreement.

Citigroup appears to support the need for climate change regulation. In its 2021 TCFD and ESG reports, Citi states support for government action on climate change, advocating for policies to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.. Citi has also signed several joint letters directly advocating for policymakers to support government regulation to respond to climate change, mitigate climate risk to the financial sector, decarbonize the shipping industry, and achieve a net-zero economy. A November 2022 Global Perspectives paper encouraged federal climate policy to go beyond the Inflation Reduction Act to respond to climate change. CEO Jane Fraser has also called for “strong public policy” to accelerate the transition to net-zero.

Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: Citi appears to have had limited engagement with specific climate policies. In its 2021 CDP Report Citigroup appears to support renewable energy legislation and states support for energy efficiency targets with exceptions. Citigroup’s 2021 TCFD Report states support for more ambitious emissions reductions goals for the US. A Global Perspectives paper from July 2022 appears to support government action to address deforestation and protect high carbon land.

Citi’s research team has released reports containing detailed summaries of climate policies and regulations across the globe, including the EU Emissions Trading System, California’s GHG emissions targets, and Japan’s Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index. Citi does not take a position on these policies or indicate it is attempting to influence them.

Citi’s lobbying reports from 2021 and 2022 show that the company has been engaged with policymakers on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package, the Build Back Better Act, “climate issues,” and energy tax credits, but details of this engagement are unclear.

Positioning on Energy Transition: Citi appears to generally support the transition of the energy mix. ESG and TCFD Reports on Citi’s website state support for the transition to a low-carbon economy. Citi has signed joint letters calling for net-zero infrastructure investments in the Biden infrastructure package and decarbonization targets and incentives for shipping. Global Perspectives papers have stated support for decarbonization of transport, agriculture, and food production, and a phase out of coal in the energy mix. Despite supporting a transition to a low carbon economy, Citigroup has cautioned against rapid moves away from certain carbon-intensive companies.

Industry Association Governance: In Citi’s 2021 TCFD Report, there is a section titled “Climate-related Engagements with Trade Associations” where it describes actions taken to influence the climate positions of some of its trade associations, but this disclosure is not comprehensive. Citi’s 2021 CDP response details information about its trade associations’ policy stances, alignment, and the company’s influencing activities within the associations, but omits some relevant industry associations such as the Edison Electric Institute or the Business Council of Australia.