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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The global risks report 2024: 19th edition
This report outlines global risks in 2024 and 2034, in an effort to provide insight to government and business leaders about the potential threats of the future. The report highlights potential global risks ranging from false information, economic uncertainty, climate change, AI dominance, to an increase in conflict and organised crimes.
Investing in influence: Investors, portfolio firms, and political giving
Increased institutional ownership of US corporations has led to a discussion about the benefits and risks of asset management companies in control. This paper examines whether the political preferences of institutional investors affect the political contributions of portfolio firms. The results suggest that a large acquisition by an investor is associated with increased political giving by both the investor and acquired firm.
Do androids dream of responsible investment? Exploring responsible investment in the age of information
This report provides insight into the emerging responsible investment risks surrounding technology. The report covers four key areas of concern; bias and discrimination, manipulation and influencing behaviour, big tech and market dominance, and automation and the future of work, alongside case studies and recommended questions for asset owners.
Converging on climate lobbying: Aligning corporate practice with investor expectations
This report details the importance of climate lobbying for the long-term interests of institutional investors. It covers recommendations for future engagement and case studies, and is primarily aimed at investment professionals. The report does not have any specific focus on discussing a list of companies, rather, it is an investor initiative that advocates for climate lobbying practices and investor expectations for companies globally.
Taking stock of investor implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
This report assesses the first decade of implementation of the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and the role of institutional investors in promoting investor responsibility to respect human rights. Enabling environments for rights-respecting investment have emerged, however, access to remedy for victims requires urgent attention, and other investment ecosystem actors must step up.
Renewable energy and human rights benchmark: Key findings from the wind and solar sectors
The 2023 benchmark report assesses the world’s most influential companies in the wind and solar sectors. It aims to encourage greater respect for human rights through recommendations on transparency, anti-corruption, and worker protections. The report reveals progress and areas of concern and offers guidance for companies, investors, and policy-makers.
Collision course: The risks companies face when their political spending and core values conflict, and how to address them
The paper warns companies that their political spending may put them at risk of reputational damage and possible backlash. Their report gives specific examples, and outlines recommendations and policies that allow businesses to align their core values with political expenditures, while developing safeguards to protect their reputations.
Industry influence on biodiversity policy: A pilot study demonstrating industry associations’ engagement on biodiversity-related policy and regulations
This report reveals that industry associations representing key sectors and some of the largest companies in the world are lobbying to delay, dilute, and block critically needed biodiversity policy in both the EU and US. The vast majority of engagement on specific policies and regulations is oppositional, seeking to roll back, weaken, or block policy.
Stocktake of financial authorities’ experience in including physical and transition climate risks as part of their financial stability monitoring
This report examines the extent to which financial authorities consider climate-related risks in their financial stability monitoring and contains information on the channels that the authorities use to manage the risks and the quantification of climate-related risks to financial stability.
Danu Insight
Danu Insight is a leading authority on corporate climate lobbying, unravelling the truth behind companies' climate action claims and lobbying practices. Their AI-driven approach delivers transparent insights, empowering investors to align with authentic sustainability.
Engaging the ICT sector on human rights: Political participation
This ICT sector-wide risk assessment examines potential impacts on the salient human rights issue of political participation. It presents international standards, discusses the use of ICT in politics, and offers human rights guidance for businesses to follow. Additionally, the report highlights risks and offers stakeholder-engagement suggestions and investor efforts to mitigate negative impacts.
Center for Political Accountability
The Center for Political Accountability (CPA) is a non-profit organisation focused on promoting transparency and accountability in corporate political spending. They work towards encouraging companies to disclose their political contributions and align their political activities with shareholder interests.
InfluenceMap
InfluenceMap provides insightful analysis on corporate climate lobbying and influence activities. Explore data-driven research and visualisations revealing the impact of companies on climate policy. Gain transparency into corporate engagement with climate-related issues, empowering informed decision-making on sustainability.
Jubilee Australia
Jubilee Australia Research Centre engages in research and advocacy to promote economic justice for communities in the Asia-Pacific region and accountability for Australian corporations and government agencies operating there.
Taking the carbon out of credit: An integrated approach to removing climate emissions from lending
This report makes a complete case for banks and lending institutions to avoid further damaging of the climate. It provides both justification for why this is an important financial undertaking, and principles for how to go about and do it.
Guide for responsible corporate engagement in climate policy: A Caring for Climate report
A 2013 report on the business community's engagement with climate change, and the best way for companies to implement policies that ensure greenhouse gas emissions are reduced whilst supporting the global economy. The report sets guidelines for why and how companies can provide constructive influences on public policy.