The LobbyMap database is updated on a weekly basis. This tool allows users to keep track of how the world's largest and most influential companies and industry associations are seeking to influence climate policy in real-time.
The Alliance for Automotive innovation opposed existing GHG emissions standards for light- and medium-duty motor vehicles in 22 September comments on the EPA's proposal to reconsider the 2009 Endangerment Finding and GHG vehicle standards. The association, which represents most major auto manufacturers including General Motors, Toyota, BMW, Volkswagen, Volvo Cars, and others, claimed that the current emissions standards for vehicles sold after 2027 are not feasible, and must be revised. The Alliance did not take a strong position on EPA's proposal to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding as a whole, but stated that removing it "would resolve concerns with the feasibility" of the regulation.
The Alliance focused its comments on pushing EPA to propose weaker emissions standards as a backstop to its current proposal, so that in the event that the 2009 Endangerment Finding is upheld by courts, the industry will still acquire a significant weakening of the emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles.
In a 25 August press release, the National Mining Association (NMA) “applauded” the US Geological Survey’s expansion of its critical minerals list to include copper, lead, potash, rhenium, silicon, and silver, a move that risks biodiversity loss from the resulting land use change caused by a potential increase in mining. NMA President and CEO, Rich Nolan, asserted the NMA’s view that “all minerals are critical,” and that “any policies applied to a critical mineral listing should be applicable to all U.S. mined materials."
In a 26 August Indonesian parliament hearing, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) commented on the draft of the New and Renewable Energy Policy (EBET), stating that 500 MW of nuclear capacity should be included as part of Indonesia's future energy mix. PLN President Director, Darmawan Prasodjo, emphasized that nuclear development requires clearer policies and stronger institutions to support its implementation.
The EU steel sector, including Eurofer, SSAB, thyssenkrupp and ArcelorMittal, advocated to weaken the eligibility criteria for state funding for heavy industry in the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF) in 2025 public consultation responses. Following oppositional advocacy on the file in direct comments to the EU Commission, measures related to steel in the CISAF were watered down to include rules to award state aid funding to non-IPCC aligned technologies.
In a 12 September joint letter, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and Brazilian Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers (ANFAVEA) advocated for a "multi-pathway" (technology neutral) approach to decarbonizing road transport prior to COP30 in Brazil. The associations advocated for increased use of biofuels in addition to hybrids and fuel cell vehicles, despite science-based guidance from the IPCC's AR6 Working Group Report that identifies electrification of road transport as the most promising means of decarbonizing the sector.
In a 23 September press release, Ceres reported that several industry groups representing a wide range of the economy have opposed the Trump Administration's proposed repeal of the Endangerment Finding. The Endangerment Finding is the 2009 determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare, and are therefore subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act. According to Ceres, industry groups including Zero Emissions Transportation Association -- which demonstrates positive climate policy engagement -- as well as Business Roundtable and Airlines for America - which tend to take more negative policy positions -- "made the urgent business and economic case against repealing the 2009 Endangerment Finding," either in public comments to the Environmental Protection Agency or statements.
The Indian government eliminated the compensation cess (tax) levied on coal to “level the playing field” for all grades of coal. This comes after Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) advocated for the removal of the cess during pre-budget consultations, to support power-intensive industries and domestic economic competitiveness. ASSOCHAM’s comments are in the context of the Indian Clean Energy Cess of 2010, which currently levies 400 INR per metric tonne of coal, and is used to finance clean energy initiatives.
In a 5 August SK Innovation Newsroom article, SK Innovation supported a continued role for oil and fossil gas in South Korea, emphasizing energy security benefits. However, SK Innovation did not place clear conditions on the need for CCS or methane emission abatement on the use of oil and gas, or specify clear timelines for energy transition that are in line with IPCC guidance. In addition, in a 6 August SK Innovation Newsroom article, SK Earthon, a subsidiary of SK Innovation, advocated for investments, infrastructure, or other measures that risk fossil fuel lock-in, also emphasizing lacking of domestic oil resources and energy security in South Korea.
In a 22 August press release, SK Inc. supported the use of advanced nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and announced that it had requested the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to introduce incentives to encourage private sector participation. SK Inc. stated that these measures were necessary to secure South Korea’s leadership in the growing global SMR market. While SK Inc. highlighted the potential of SMRs to contribute to carbon reduction and energy security, it did not clarify its position on South Korea’s broader energy mix.
The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA), representing Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, released a statement supporting the Canadian government's decision to waive the federal EV mandate for the 2026 model year. The government previously mandated that at least 20 percent of new light-duty vehicles should be zero-emission by 2026, but will now conduct a 60-day review of the policy. The CVMA is advocating for a full repeal of the regulation as the most effective way to maintain industry competitiveness.
In its 19 August response to the EU’s consultation on rules for single-use plastic and recycled plastic content, ExxonMobil supported the weakening of what it perceived to be a “restrictive approach to mass balance” proposed by the European Commission. In addition, it advocated for the inclusion of chemical recycling as a process eligible for recycled content credits, and claimed that the current proposals lack the flexibility needed to preserve European competitiveness. ExxonMobil warned that if competitiveness is not sufficiently safeguarded, companies may “rethink their commitment to the region”.
In 3 September letters to the US House and Senate, the Natural Gas Council -- comprised of the CEOs of the American Gas Association, American Petroleum Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Natural Gas Supply Association, and Interstate Natural Gas Association of America -- advocated for permitting reform policies that facilitate the deployment of fossil gas infrastructure projects. The letters called for a range of policy measures, including the elimination of "unnecessarily protracted NEPA reviews," in order "to provide the long-term regulatory certainty needed for natural gas infrastructure investment." These industry associations continue to obstruct US climate policy and strategically advocate for fossil fuel infrastructure. Congress has returned from August recess and is already proposing permitting reform in line with the Trump administration's fossil fuel and deregulatory agenda.
Clean energy industry groups Advanced Energy United and American Clean Power Association opposed the Trump Administration's stop work order on the Revolution Wind Project, emphasizing that stopping construction on the wind project off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut -- which was 80 percent complete -- will raise energy prices and result in job losses. In a 22 August press release, ACP CEO Jason Grumet stated that "the Trump Administration is raising alarms about rising energy prices while blocking new supply from reaching the grid." Advanced Energy United communicated a similar position around affordability in a 3 September interview with Factor This, underscoring how New England's abundance of offshore wind, especially during the colder winter months, would have been a significant way to avoid the "volatile pricing" of fossil gas.
In an 8 September press release, the Australian Energy Producers (AEP) supported the Western Australian Government’s forthcoming State Development Bill 2025. AEP praised the Bill’s objective of fast-tracking approvals for “strategic” projects, arguing it would unlock new fossil gas supply to meet WA’s growing energy demand and strengthen economic and energy security. It also stressed fossil gas’s role in electricity generation, mining, and minerals processing, and claimed that WA gas helps Asian trading partners reduce emissions.
Support for new fossil gas supply contradicts guidance from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which states that a combination of early retirements, reductions in utilization, and the cancellation of new fossil fuel infrastructure would be needed to meet the 1.5°C target.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently held a hearing from 19-21 August, on its proposal to both repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which is the legal foundation for the regulation of greenhouse gasses, and also, to repeal all existing GHG emissions standards for motor vehicles.
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents various vehicle manufacturers, such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and BMW, testified at the hearing and stated existing GHG emissions standards are “unachievable,” and advocated to create an interim GHG rule, which conflicts with the EPA’s proposal to do away with GHG emissions regulations entirely. The American Petroleum Institute (API) also testified at the hearing, and appeared to support the proposal, and opposed the existing GHG emissions standards for motor vehicles. API represents most major petrochemical companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP.
Chevron CEO, Mike Wirth promoted gas investments and raised concerns with Western Australia’s domestic gas reservation policy in a direct meeting with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, as reported by The Australian on 15 August. Wirth also cautioned against a global transition away from fossil fuels and appeared to support the US Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the country from the Paris Agreement, in an interview with The Australian published on the same day.
In a 28 July POSCO Newsroom article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) supported the decarbonization of the steel industry, stressing its economic and technological feasibility. The company highlighted the need for increased policy measures, including green premiums, as well as investment and government funding in research and development (R&D) to increase the development of breakthrough technologies for decarbonization. In the same article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) broadly supported a phaseout of blast furnace steelmaking and the use of coal, while advocating a continued role for fossil gas for the transition period without placing clear conditions on the deployment of CCS or methane abatement measures. POSRI supported an energy transition pathway that includes an increase in renewables and nuclear, but there is some ambiguity regarding the pace and extent of this transition and its alignment with IPCC recommendations.
According to 2 July National Assembly Policy Data, POSCO broadly supported an increase in green hydrogen and zero-emissions hydrogen, especially produced from nuclear power, for direct reduced iron (DRI) steelmaking to decarbonize the steel industry at a Policy Discussion on Hydrogen Reduction Steelmaking and Nuclear Power Plant Utilization for Carbon Reduction.
In a 22 July POSCO Newsroom article, POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) generally supported the electrification of transport and buildings while communicating the need to increase the share of renewable energy. POSRI mentioned electrification as an 'essential element for achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets'.
In a 26 August media release, Business for 75, a coalition of business leaders calling for Australia to commit to a 2035 emissions target of at least 75%, released modelling by Deloitte suggesting that Australia's GDP will likely be $370 billion greater by 2035 under a 75% emissions reduction target, compared to current projections. The coalition's media release was accompanied by supporting comments from a number of Australia's largest companies, including Fortescue Chief Executive Dino Otranto, who stated that the "Australian business community is ready to back a strong emissions target of 75 per cent".
The Business for 75 campaign's open letter to the Australian Government has been signed by over 350 businesses, including IKEA, Unilever, Atlassian, Fortescue, Volvo Group Australia, Squadron Energy, the Energy Efficiency Council and the Smart Energy Council.
The Australian Government is intending to release its final target in "the coming weeks" according to a 15 August Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council Communique.
