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 Lobbying Overview: The Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) appears to be actively engaging with EU and UK climate change policy with strongly supportive positions on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The association supported the EU Emissions Trading System and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism with some exceptions.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The Corporate Leaders Group has communicated strong support for ambitious climate policy. In a May 2022 letter to EU President Ursula von der Leyen the association advocated that the EU response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine must help fulfill the UN Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. CLG also supported delivery of the UK’s 2050 net zero target, advocating in a March 2023 briefing for the establishment of an ‘Office for Net Zero’ to aid delivery across government. Alongside this, the association supported ambitious regulation, not “half-hearted measures”, in an October 2022 report assessing the success of climate policies. CLG has consistently supported the delivery of the Paris Agreement at UN level, including through itsDirector Eliot Whittington who advocated in October 2022 on Twitter for the EU to show leadership at COP27 in absence of sufficient Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: The Corporate Leaders Group’s engagement with climate-related regulations in the EU and UK is strongly positive. CLG supported the EU’s 2030 55% GHG emissions reduction target in 2021 statements, and advocated in favor of the UK’s 2030 68% GHG emissions reduction target in a March 2021 briefing. The organization also supported a 50% GHG emissions reduction target in the United States in an open letter to US President Biden in April 2021.
CLG has advocated in favor of energy efficiency and renewable energy legislation. In a January 2023 letter to the EU Members of European Parliament, the organization strongly supported the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive reform, supporting the Parliament’s increased ambition on minimum energy performance standards. The association also strongly supported “concrete, long-term policy measures” for energy efficiency in the UK in a June 2021 position paper, highlighting the “need to significantly increase ambition in this key sector.” CLG has consistently advocated for a more ambitious renewable energy target, including in a September 2022 press release supporting a 45% target by 2030 in the EU Renewable Energy Directive reform.,
CLG supported reforms to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to deliver on the EU’s 2030 climate targets in a May 2022 letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The associationsupported the EU Parliament trilogue agreement on EU ETS reforms in a December 2022 press release, however seemed to only support a rapid phase-out of free emissions allowances for certain sectors. In the same press release, the association appeared to support the EU Parliament agreement on the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Previously, it had expressed concerns about the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in an October 2021 briefing paper, highlighting potential negative economic and diplomatic impacts.
Positioning on Energy Transition: The Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) appears to strongly support the transition of the energy mix. After the invasion of Ukraine, CLG advocated for an acceleration of the energy transition in a May 2022 statement which also supported phasing-out dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal with reference to the EU’s RePowerEU policy. The association supported the EU’s proposed zero emission vehicle CO2 standard by 2035 in an October 2021 briefing paper, advocating for it to be coupled with “ambitious, short and mid-term interim targets.” CLG has consistently supported fiscal reforms to transition the energy mix, and advocated in October 2021 for changes to the EU Energy Taxation Directive to support a coal phase-out and “rapidly downsizing the gas sector” on its corporate website. In a March 2023 policy briefing the association supported phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels in the UK.