General Electric
What do our scores mean?
The organizational score represents the degree to which the organization influencing climate policy and legislation. Corporations also have relationship scores reflecting their links with influencers like trade associations. Both are combined to place the corporation in a performance band. Full details can be found here.
Engagement Intensity
The engagement intensity (EI) is a metric of the extent to which the company is engaging on climate change policy matters, whether positively or negatively. It is a number from 0 (no engagement at all) to 100 (full engagement on all queries/data points). Clearly energy companies are more affected by climate regulations and will have a higher EI than, for example retailers. So an organization’s score should be looked at in conjunction with this metric to gauge the amount of evidence we are using in each case as a basis for scoring. On our scale, an EI of more than 35 indicates a relatively large amount of climate policy engagement.
Relationship Score, December 2020
A new batch of industry associations has been uploaded onto the InfluenceMap system and the relationship scores recalculated accordingly.
- Details of Organization Score
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What do the 0,1,2 and NSs, NAs mean?
Each cell in the organization's matrix presents a chance for us to assess each data source against our column of climate change policy queries. We score from -2 to 2, with negative scores representing evidence of obstructive influence. "NA" means "not applicable" and "NS" means "not scored" - that is we did not find any evidence either way. In both cases, the cell's weighting is re-distributed over others. Red and blue cells represent highly interesting negative or positive influence respectively. Full details can be found here.
- Details of Relationship Score
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What is the Relationship Score
A corporation, as well as its organizational score will have a relationship score. It is computed by aggregating the organizational scores of the Influencers (trade bodies etc.) it has relationships with, weighted by both the strength of these relationships and the relative importance of the Influencers towards climate change policy. Full details can be found here.
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QUERIES
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DATA SOURCES | |||||||
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Main Web Site
The main organizational Web site of the company and its direct links to major affiliates and attached documents. |
Social Media
We search other media and sites funded or controlled by the organization, such as social media (Twitter, Facebook) and direct advertising campaigns of the organization. |
CDP Responses
We assess and score responses to two questions from CDP's climate change information request (12.3 a & 12.3c) related to political influence questions (currently these are not numerically scored by the CDP process). |
Legislative Consultations
Comments from the entity being scored on governmental regulatory consultation processes, including those obtained by InfluenceMap through Freedom of Information requests. |
Media Reports
Here we search in a consistent manner (the organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
CEO Messaging
Here we search in a consistent manner (the CEO/Chairman, organization name and relevant query search terms) a set of web sites of representing reputable news or data aggregations. Supported by targeted searches of proprietary databases. |
Financial Disclosures
We search 10-K and 20-F SEC filings where available, and non US equivalents where not. . |
EU Register
Information provided by to the voluntary EU Transparency Register. |
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Climate Science Transparency
Is the organisation being transparent about climate change science? |
2
|
2
|
NA | NS | NS |
2
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NS | NA |
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Climate Science Stance
Is the organization supporting the science of climate change and the response demanded (as per the IPCC) |
0
|
1
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NA |
-1
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0
|
1
|
NS | NA |
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Need for Climate Regulation
To what extent does the organization express the need for climate policy and regulations in general. |
0
|
0
|
NA |
0
|
NS |
1
|
0
|
NA |
|
UN Treaty Support
Is the organization supporting a global treaty on climate change and the UN FCCC process? |
0
|
2
|
NA | NS |
2
|
2
|
NS | NA |
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Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation being transparent about their positions on climate change legislation and policy, including CEO statements. |
0
|
NA |
-1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
|
Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
NS |
1
|
1
|
NS |
-2
|
NS | NS | NA |
|
Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
NS |
1
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NS | NS | NA |
|
Energy Efficiency Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Energy efficiency standards and targets |
NS |
1
|
2
|
-2
|
-1
|
NS | NS | NA |
|
Renewable Energy Legislation
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy targets, subsidies and legislation. |
1
|
1
|
NS |
0
|
1
|
NS |
1
|
NA |
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Energy Policy and Mix
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy policy and the energy mix. We refer to IPCC thinking on renewables, coal, oil and gas. |
-1
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0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
NA |
|
GHG Emission Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. |
1
|
1
|
0
|
-1
|
-2
|
NS | NS | NA |
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Disclosure on Relationships
The Caring for Climate “inventory” of climate change policy influences: Are companies being transparent about their business associations which may impact climate debate and policy |
-1
|
NS |
-1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from General Electric's subsidiary, GE Renewable Energy, is on WindEurope's Board of Directors.
Peter Wells
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of a subsidiary of GE is a board member of WindEurope
Cliff Harris
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive from General Electric's subsidiary, GE Renewable Energy, is on WindEurope's Board of Directors.
Peter Wells
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of a subsidiary of GE is a board member of WindEurope
Cliff Harris
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a corporate partner member
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
subsidiary is a corporate partner member
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a corporate partner member
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
subsidiary is a corporate partner member
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE CEO is a member of Business Roundtable.
Larry Culp
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE CEO is a member
John Flannery
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE CEO is on Executive Committee
Jeffrey Imelt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE CEO is a member of Business Roundtable.
Larry Culp
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE CEO is a member
John Flannery
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE CEO is on Executive Committee
Jeffrey Imelt
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
The CEO of GE subsidiary, GE digital, and the CEO of GE subsidiary, GE Appliances, are both members of the Board
Melanie K. Cook & Patrick Byrne
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of the Board
Anthony Aiello
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
The CEO of GE subsidiary, GE digital, and the CEO of GE subsidiary, GE Appliances, are both members of the Board
Melanie K. Cook & Patrick Byrne
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Member of the Board
Anthony Aiello
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
An executive from General Electric subsidiary Baker Hughes is on the AFPM's Board of Directors.
Frank Niznik
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
An executive from General Electric subsidiary Baker Hughes is on the AFPM's Board of Directors.
Jim Macaluso
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
An executive from General Electric subsidiary Baker Hughes is on the AFPM's Board of Directors.
Frank Niznik
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
An executive from General Electric subsidiary Baker Hughes is on the AFPM's Board of Directors.
Jim Macaluso
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US-Iraq Business Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US-Japan Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US Turkey Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US-Pakistan Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
member of the Brazil-US Business Council, which operates under the US CHamber of Commerce
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US-Iraq Business Council
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US-Japan Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US Turkey Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE is a member of the US-Pakistan Business Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
member of the Brazil-US Business Council, which operates under the US CHamber of Commerce
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric is one of over 100 direct members of BCA. Evidence from 2019 shows that an executive from GE Australia sat on BCA's Energy and Climate Change Committee. However, information related to committee membership is no longer publicly available on BCA's website.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
An executive from General Electric Australia is on the BCA Energy and Climate Change Committee.
Sam Maresh
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of GE is a member of BCA
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric is one of over 100 direct members of BCA. Evidence from 2019 shows that an executive from GE Australia sat on BCA's Energy and Climate Change Committee. However, information related to committee membership is no longer publicly available on BCA's website.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
An executive from General Electric Australia is on the BCA Energy and Climate Change Committee.
Sam Maresh
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of GE is a member of BCA
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Two General Electric subsidiaries, Baker Hughes and GE Energy, are listed as members of the API.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Subsidies of General Electric are members of API
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Two General Electric subsidiaries, Baker Hughes and GE Energy, are listed as members of the API.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Subsidies of General Electric are members of API
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric is an associate member of the EEI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Subsidiary of GE is a member of EEI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric is an associate member of the EEI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A Subsidiary of GE is a member of EEI
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
The President & CEO of General Electric's subsidiary, Baker Hughes, is a member of the NPC.
Lorenzo Simonelli
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of a Subsidiary of GE is a member
Brian C. Cothran
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
The President & CEO of General Electric's subsidiary, Baker Hughes, is a member of the NPC.
Lorenzo Simonelli
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
President of a Subsidiary of GE is a member
Brian C. Cothran
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric is an indirect member of the ICC through the USCIB.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of General Electric is vice chair of an ICC Commission
Thaddeus Burns
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric is an indirect member of the ICC through the USCIB.
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A senior executive of General Electric is vice chair of an ICC Commission
Thaddeus Burns
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric's subsdiary, Baker Hughes, is a contractor member of OGUK.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of GE is a member of OGUK
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
General Electric's subsdiary, Baker Hughes, is a contractor member of OGUK.
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
A subsidiary of GE is a member of OGUK
How to Read our Relationship Score Map
In this section, we depict graphically the relationships the corporation has with trade associations, federations, advocacy groups and other third parties who may be acting on their behalf to influence climate change policy. Each of the columns above represents one relationship the corporation appears to have with such a third party. In these columns, the top, dark section represents the strength of the relationship the corporation has with the influencer. For example if a corporation's senior executive also held a key role in the trade association, we would deem this to be a strong relationship and it would be on the far left of the chart above, with the weaker ones to the right. Click on these grey shaded upper sections for details of these relationships. The middle section contains a link to the organization score details of the influencer concerned, so you can see the details of its climate change policy influence. Click on the middle sections for for details of the trade associations. The lower section contains the organization score of that influencer, the lower the more negatively it is influencing climate policy.
General Electric appears to have a mixed and seemingly inconsistent approach to climate change policy and the energy mix. The company stated in 2019 that the world “must act to decarbonize every aspect of modern life.” In 2017, General Electric voiced support for the Australian Renewable Energy Target, signed a joint letter to the EU in support of the Renewable Energy Directive, and described the Philippines' Renewable Energy Standards Portfolio as a “significant step forward. In addition, then CEO Jeffrey Immelt wrote in March 2017 criticizing President Trump’s lack of belief in climate change science and the Paris Agreement. However, an article published in March 2018 suggested that the company foresees a substantial role for coal in the global energy mix post-2040. This followed an October 2017 article published by the company which suggested CCS paired with fossil fuels including coal as a solution to meeting future energy demand, seemingly downplaying the associated technological challenges associated with this. The company’s official climate change policy position appears to support a least-cost approach to climate change regulation which emphasises achieving emissions reductions by encouraging innovation in a flexible approach referencing “realistic” timetables. General Electric has membership of trade associations with conflicting climate change agendas, including those such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and American Petroleum Institute on the one hand, and those such as WindEurope and Advanced Energy Economy on the other.