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.
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: WindEurope appears to be actively lobbying the EU on energy and climate change policy, with strongly supportive positions. The organization has also been strongly supportive of the energy transition from fossil fuels towards renewables.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The association’s top-line messaging on climate policy is strongly positive. In February 2022, WindEurope published a joint letter stating support for the EU’s Green Deal and 2050 climate neutrality target. Additionally, in a joint letter, the association advocated for policymakers to increase the ambition of climate policy to align with net zero objectives in October 2021. In the same letter, WindEurope supported more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions at COP26, and higher ambition in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations:WindEurope’s overall engagement with climate-related regulations in the EU appears to be strongly positive. In its March 2021 position paper on climate neutrality, the association appeared to be supportive of an EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), although it did not specify conditions for the removal of existing exemptions under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Furthermore, in a February 2021 EU consultation response, WindEurope advocated for ambitious EU ETS reforms, by supporting increasing the Linear Reduction Factor, removing free allowances, including the maritime sector, and limiting support for fossil fuel produced hydrogen. However, in a February 2022 joint letter, the association appeared to emphasize carbon leakage concerns regarding the CBAM and EU ETS reforms. WindEurope supported the EU’s 2030 GHG emission reduction target of at least 55% on social media in June 2021.
WindEurope has been strongly supportive of European renewable energy and energy efficiency policy. In a November 2021 position paper, the association called for higher ambition in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive revision to not be reduced during negotiations with the European Council and Parliament, having previously in September 2021 advocated for a 2030 renewable energy target of 40% and against the inclusion of low-carbon fuels. In February 2022, WindEurope signed a joint letter to President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen calling for improved measures to support wind energy, including permitting and auction bidding improvements. Furthermore, in a March 2022 joint letter, the group supported higher targets in the Energy Performance of Building Directive. The association supported a 100% CO2 emission reduction target for light-duty vehicles by 2035 in a November 2021 position paper.
Positioning on Energy Transition: WindEurope appears to have strongly advocated for the transition of the energy mix, particularly supporting renewable electrification and renewable hydrogen. The association supported the IEA’s 10-Point Plan, which included measures to transition from fossil fuels to renewables, such as accelerating renewable energy deployment, in a March 2022 joint position paper. The trade group also called for the EU to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels, and introduce measures to accelerate renewable energy deployment in a separate March 2022 position paper. As part of the Electrification Alliance November 2021 position paper, WindEurope supported measures to strengthen the EU Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, and removal fossil fuel exemptions from the EU Energy Taxation Directive. In a consultation response in June 2021, the group supported higher ambition in the EU Hydrogen and Gas Decarbonization Package, including advocating for measures to disincentivize unabated fossil gas use, and against hydrogen and fossil gas blending. Instead, support greater development of renewable hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors. WindEurope also supported the revision of the EU’s TEN-E regulation, advocating for limited support for fossil gas projects in a July 2020 consultation response.