Library | ESG issues

Lobbying & Political Contributions

Lobbying involves organised efforts by individuals or groups to influence government officials and legislation, often through financial contributions. Political contributions are donations made to support political campaigns or candidates. Corporate lobbying is a common practice across various industries, where companies engage in efforts to influence legislation and regulation. For instance, the fossil fuel industry has been known to lobby against environmental regulations that could impact their operations.

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Update on China's climate policy from the 2026 two sessions: How Chinese companies and industry are shaping the energy transition agenda

InfluenceMap
This report analyses corporate engagement in China's climate and energy policy during the 2026 Two Sessions. It outlines the 15th Five-Year Plan's carbon intensity reduction target and examines how the oil, gas, new energy, and automotive sectors are influencing the nation's decarbonisation and energy transition agenda.
Research
1 April 2026

The battle over energy security: Challenging the fossil fuel playbook

InfluenceMap
This report by InfluenceMap analyses how the fossil fuel industry uses geopolitical instability to promote energy security narratives. It highlights the industry's historical playbook of delaying the renewable transition and outlines current counter-arguments from renewable sectors advocating for electrification to ensure genuine energy independence and affordability.
Research
1 April 2026

The European chemical sector's influence on biodiversity policy

InfluenceMap
This report analyses how major European chemical companies and industry associations influence biodiversity policy in the EU and US. It reveals that no assessed company aligns fully with science-based biodiversity goals, highlighting oppositional lobbying against critical regulations concerning pesticides, PFAS, and harmful chemicals.
Research
1 April 2026

Getting political finance right: Preventing corruption with UNCAC CoSP resolution 11/7

Transparency International
This report analyses the implications of UNCAC Resolution 11/7 on political finance, detailing key transparency measures, safeguards against illicit funding, and strategies to ensure state neutrality. It provides practical guidance for legislators and watchdogs to effectively implement oversight mechanisms and prevent corruption globally.
Research
15 May 2026

Standards for integrity in political finance: A global policy position

Transparency International
This report outlines global standards for integrity in political finance. It advocates for comprehensive reforms spanning transparency, limits on donations and expenditure, gender equality in funding, state neutrality, and robust accountability to prevent corruption and level the electoral playing field worldwide.
Research
16 January 2025

Mobilising trade associations as a force for good: A playbook for companies

Volans
This playbook outlines a five-step framework for companies to manage their indirect policy engagement through trade associations. It provides guidance on articulating science-based climate policy priorities, assessing association alignment, engaging to drive improvement, and rigorously reviewing memberships to ensure they support corporate sustainability targets.
Research
14 May 2025

Exposing tobacco companies’ retail presence and highlighting regulatory options

The report outlines how tobacco companies use retailer incentives, targeted in-store marketing, and retailer lobbying to sustain product visibility and influence regulation. It reviews policy options, including retail licensing, outlet restrictions, and sales limitations, aimed at reducing tobacco availability and countering industry presence in retail settings.
Research
11 April 2026

Untapped potential: Asset owners and climate policy influence

InfluenceMap
Assesses major asset owners’ influence on climate policy, finding limited stewardship and advocacy despite significant potential. Most score poorly on climate lobbying oversight and transparency, with few aligning engagement to net zero goals. Highlights gaps in managing asset managers and industry associations, and calls for stronger, coordinated policy engagement.
Research
3 December 2024

LobbyMap

InfluenceMap
LobbyMap is an online database that analyses corporate and trade association lobbying on climate and energy policy. It compares stated public positions with lobbying activities to assess alignment, consistency, and potential risks for investors and financial decision-making.
Online tool/database

A policy advocacy and collective action toolkit for business: Strategies and resources for impact businesses B corps B locals and B networks

B Lab U.S. & Canada
This toolkit outlines how B Corps and impact businesses can engage in responsible policy advocacy and collective action. It provides guidance, standards, case studies and practical resources to support stakeholder-focused, climate-just and equitable economic systems through transparent lobbying and collaboration.
Research
16 May 2025

Competing in the age of disruption: A business briefing by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)
The report argues that global industrial transition is inevitable and accelerating, creating material risks and opportunities. It urges businesses to pursue innovation, reshape market rules and influence policy to secure competitiveness, manage systemic threats and drive sustainable market transformation.
Research
19 May 2025

Social benchmark 2024 insights report

World Benchmarking Alliance
This benchmark series assesses the world’s most influential companies on their human rights, decent work and ethical conduct practices. It provides a comparative view of corporate social performance, supporting stakeholders to understand progress, identify gaps and inform actions that contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable global economy.
Benchmark/series
1 July 2024

The investor climate policy engagement paradox

The article explores the paradox in which institutional investors focus heavily on climate-risk disclosure, an area of comfort and perceived legitimacy, while underinvesting in real-economy climate policy that could meaningfully reduce systemic risk. It argues that meaningful climate action requires shifting from technocratic “managing tons” approaches toward politically challenging asset revaluation and more robust policy engagement.
Article
21 November 2025

The Silicon Six and their enduring global tax gap

Fair Tax Foundation
This Fair Tax Foundation report analyses the decade-long tax conduct of six major technology firms—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Netflix. It finds a persistent global tax gap, with an average effective tax rate of 18.8% versus global norms of 27%. The report urges stronger transparency and fairer international tax reform.
Research
10 April 2025

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Commercial Organisations
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides financial advice, investment strategies, and portfolio management for individuals, families, and institutions. Its services include retirement planning, sustainable investing, and access to global market insights. Morgan Stanley combines advanced digital tools with expert guidance to help clients achieve long-term financial goals and preserve wealth across generations.
Organisation
1 research item

Tobacco tactics

Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG)
Tobacco Tactics is a knowledge-exchange platform from the University of Bath’s Tobacco Control Research Group. It compiles rigorous academic research and monitoring on the global tobacco industry—its products, influences, themes and companies—in an accessible format.
Online tool/database
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