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.
Updated terminology, February 2021
We adjusted the terminology used to describe the queries running down the left-hand side of our scoring matrix and added additional explanatory text to the info-boxes. This has no impact on the scores and methodology. It has been done following user feedback to improve clarity.
- 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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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
2
|
2
|
NA | NS | NS |
1
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NS | NA |
|
Alignment with IPCC on Climate Action
Is the organization supporting the science-based response to climate change as set out by the IPCC? (the IPCC) |
0
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1
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NA |
-1
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1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
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Supporting the Need for Regulations
To what extent does the organization express the need for regulatory intervention to resolve the climate crisis? |
0
|
0
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NA |
0
|
NS |
1
|
0
|
NA |
|
Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
1
|
2
|
NA | NS |
2
|
2
|
NS | NA |
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Transparency on Legislation
Is the organisation transparent about its positions on climate change legislation/policy and its activities to influence it? |
0
|
NA |
-1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
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Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
NS |
1
|
1
|
NS |
-2
|
NS | NS | NA |
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Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
NS |
1
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NS | NS | NA |
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Energy and Resource Efficiency
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: energy efficiency policy, standards, and targets |
NS |
1
|
2
|
-2
|
-1
|
NS | NS | NA |
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Renewable Energy
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy legislation, targets, subsidies, and other policy |
1
|
1
|
NS |
0
|
1
|
NS |
1
|
NA |
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Energy Transition & Zero Carbon Technologies
Is the organization supporting an IPCC-aligned transition of the economy away from carbon-emitting technologies, including supporting relevant policy and legislative measures to enable this transition? |
-1
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0
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1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
NA |
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GHG Emission Regulation
Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. Is the organization supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Standards, targets, and other regulatory measures directly targeting Greenhouse Gas emissions |
1
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1
|
0
|
-1
|
-1
|
NS | NS | NA |
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Disclosure on Relationships
Is the organization transparent about its involvement with industry associations that are influencing climate policy, including the extent to which it is aligned with these groups on climate? |
0
|
NS |
-1
|
NA | NA | NA | NS | NA |
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE Aviation Aircraft Engine Services - Wales is a member of CBI Wales Council
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE Healthcare Ltd is a member of CBI President's Committee
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE Aviation Aircraft Engine Services - Wales is a member of CBI Wales Council
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
GE Healthcare Ltd is a member of CBI President's Committee
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:
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
not specified
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
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:
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.
Climate Lobbying Overview: General Electric (GE) has a mixed and inconsistent approach to engagement on climate change policy, supporting ambitious climate action in its top line messaging in 2020 while having mixed engagement with specific climate policy, for example on a US CO2 standard for aircraft. General Electric also appears to support a long-term role for natural gas in the energy mix, although the company appears to have an improved position on coal in 2020.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020-21, General Electric stated support for GHG emissions reductions in line with a 2°C target, the Paris Agreement and the US re-joining the Paris Agreement in 2021. However, in 2020 General Electric emphasizes the need for “realistic times for reduction efforts” over IPCC-demanded GHG emissions reductions and prioritizes a “technology-neutral” regulatory response to climate change.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: General Electric appears to have mixed and limited engagement with specific climate regulations globally in 2018-20. In a 2020 consultation response, General Electric advocated to the US government to certify the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) global CO2 standard for aircraft into US law, while supporting the policy at a global level. However, this support in the US was qualified by major exceptions, including urging the US government not to introduce a more ambitious CO2 standard than set by ICAO, greatly reducing its effectiveness.
In a 2019 consultation response, GE Lighting supported proposals to weaken US energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs, arguing that “no evidence indicates that a new standard could be economically or technically justified”. Furthermore, a 2020 proxy statement to investors from General Electric suggested support for a 40% renewable energy target in Victoria state, Australia. Generally, regarding specific climate regulations, GE provides limited disclosure of its positioning and engagement on climate-related regulations through its website and in its 2020 CDP information request.
Positioning on Energy Transition: In 2020, General Electric continues to promote a major role for natural gas in the energy mix, while evidence suggests an evolving, more position regarding the promotion of new coal plants. In December 2020, GE released a “Future of Energy” White Paper that continued to promote natural gas as a long-term climate solution in the energy mix, alongside renewables, without including clear conditions on the deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies or methane abatement measures. Furthermore, the report appeared to support the expanded use of fossil-fuel derived, as well as green, hydrogen in the energy mix. In numerous other communications in 2018-20, General Electric promotes the role of natural gas in the energy mix, arguing that in decarbonization, “GE believes gas turbines have a major role to play” alongside renewables.
General Electric has a mixed but improving position on the role of coal in the energy mix. While reports suggest GE publicly exited the new build coal market in 2020, GE’s website in 2020 continues to promote “the need for new but improved coal power plants” while its 2020 White Paper focused on the benefits of coal to gas/renewables switching over coal power itself. Previously in 2018-19, General Electric consistently promoted the need for new or additional global thermal coal capacity.
In 2020, GE has also advocated to global policymakers to support the transition to sustainable aviation fuel and has stated support for the decarbonization of aviation. GE has also stated general support for the energy transition in 2019 and stressed the important role of nuclear energy in the energy mix in 2020.
Industry Association Governance: General Electric has publicly disclosed information on its memberships to industry associations on a dedicated webpage, without providing further details on the company’s role within each association or its influence over their climate positions. General Electric has not published a review of its alignment with its industry associations. General Electric has membership of industry associations with conflicting climate change agendas. This includes the National Association of Manufacturers and American Petroleum Institute which are negatively lobbying climate policy, and those such as WindEurope and American Wind Energy Association which are positively lobbying climate policy. In 2021, General Electric is also still a member of the World Coal Association, which is actively promoting a long-term role for coal in the global energy mix.