Climate Lobbying Overview: E.ON appears actively engaged and broadly supportive of climate change policy. In 2018-20, E.ON has supported various streams of EU climate regulation including carbon taxes, the EU ETS, and targets for energy efficiency, renewable energy and GHG emissions reductions. E.ON has also supported the energy transition, including increased support for green hydrogen and the electrification of transport.

Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In its 2019 Sustainability Report, published in March 2020, E.ON disclosed a detailed position on the science of climate change and the need to reduce GHG emissions in line with the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. In June 2020, E.ON CEO, Dr. Johannes Teyssen, also signed two open letters supporting the UK’s net zero by 2050 target and the European Green Deal. E.ON also appears supportive of policy to achieve these goals. The company’s ‘2020 Climate Commitment’ called for “ambitious national reduction plans” in line with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal to meet the EU’s climate targets. In a joint letter to PM Boris Johnson in December 2020, E.ON also called for the UK Government to increase the ambition of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in line with its net zero by 2050 target.

Engagement with Climate-related Regulations: E.ON appears supportive of various strands of EU climate regulation. In its 2020 CDP response, the company supported reforms to increase the carbon price and overall effectiveness of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), including a reduction in the allocation of emissions permits and a minimum price on carbon. In the same response, E.ON also stated support for an EU carbon tax for sectors exempt from the EU ETS, or to replace the EU ETS if prices do not increase. In a 2020 submission to the EU Commission, E.ON also supported the expansion of the EU ETS to the transport and buildings sectors.

E.ON has also supported other forms of EU climate regulation. In September 2020, the company supported the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, with some exceptions, in a submission to the European Commission. In September 2020, in feedback to a separate consultation on the EU Renewable Energy rules, E.ON also expressed support for the Renewable Energy Directive and a 55% GHG target by 2030 at EU level. E.ON’s 2020 CDP response also disclosed the company’s support for EU regulation including an energy efficiency target of at least 30% by 2030, more ambitious renewable energy targets, and a 2030 GHG target of 45-50%. In September 2020, E.ON CEO Johannes Teyssen signed an open letter to EU leaders calling for a clearly defined GHG target of 55% by 2030.

Positioning on Energy Transition: E.ON appears supportive of the decarbonization of the energy mix. In its 2019 Sustainability Report, the company stated support for a stable policy and regulatory environment to support the energy transition and climate-friendly technologies such as renewables. On its corporate website, accessed in February 2021, E.ON also proposes a range of policy measures and financial options to increase the uptake of hydrogen in the energy mix, including the expansion of green hydrogen.

E.ON appears strongly supportive of the electrification of transport. In its 2019 Sustainability Report, the company states that the energy transition cannot succeed without the decarbonization of transport. In a 2020 submission to the European Commission, E.ON also supported an ambitious EU CO2 Emissions Performance Standards for Cars and Vans.

Industry Association Governance: E.ON has disclosed some of its industry association memberships in its 2019 Sustainability Report. However, the company does not disclose any details of its role within each association or their climate policy positions. E.ON has not published a review of its industry association alignment on climate change. E.ON is a member of several industry associations with positive engagement on climate policy including Advanced Energy Economy, WindEurope, American Wind Energy Association and Eurelectric. However, it retains membership to European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT), which has broadly negative engagement on climate policy.