Many of the world’s largest multinational companies are now providing
more information on their lobbying practices, according to new
research.
An analysis of the Standard & Poor’s Global 100 by the global
environment network WWF and the SustainAbility consultancy found that
although none disclose their lobbying positions in an ‘integrated’ way,
51 give at least some details.
This represents ‘substantial progress’ since 2000, when a similar study
found that only a handful of large companies revealed details of their
lobbying.
Both organizations say more openness is needed, but conclude that ‘in
spite of continued concerns about corporate lobbying, it is clear
transparency has improved markedly in the last few years’.
Eight of the 51 companies provided ‘systematic’ lobbying
information – BASF, BP, Chevron, Dow, Ford, General Motors,
GlaxoSmithKline and Hewlett-Packard – and ten were providing a lower
‘developing’ level of information. The rest furnished only ‘basic’
details.
UK businesses were most likely to disclose their lobbying positions,
followed by those in the Netherlands and the US. Japan was a notable
laggard: of the 12 companies surveyed, only Toyota made any reference
to lobbying. Researchers were unclear why Japanese companies generally
failed to provide information of this kind.
The chemicals company BASF, which reports in detail on its
contributions to the public debate on nanotechnology, is cited as one
example of good practice.
The study, Influencing Power, says that despite good work from
individual companies, more collaboration among businesses in the same
sector is needed. It recommends that leading companies work with trade
associations to promote greater openness.
However, links with trade bodies can increase reputational risk, if
their lobbying works against other company relationships. Companies
should therefore ‘monitor and report on alignment of lobbying
throughout the organization’ to identify any internal and external
inconsistencies and ‘clearly communicate’ these.
