RWE
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.
Update August 2021: If limited evidence had been collected either on a company's direct policy engagement (Organization Score) or industry association links (Relationship Score) this is signified with an ‘n/a’ (not available). If limited evidence has been collected in both areas, the Total Score is also given as n/a. Full details and links back to any primary evidence that has been collected can still be located on the company’s profile.
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 25 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. . |
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Communication of Climate Science
Is the organization transparent and clear about its position on climate change science? |
2
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2
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NS | NS | NS | NS | NS |
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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) |
1
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2
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NA |
1
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0
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-1
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NS |
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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? |
1
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2
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NS | NS |
1
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0
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NS |
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Support of UN Climate Process
Is the organization supporting the UN FCCC process on climate change? |
1
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2
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NS |
0
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0
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1
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NS |
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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
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NA |
-1
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NA | NA | NA | NS |
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Carbon Tax
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: carbon tax. |
-1
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-1
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NS |
-2
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-2
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-1
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NS |
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Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
2
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0
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1
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0
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1
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1
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NS |
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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 |
1
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NS |
0
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0
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-2
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-2
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NS |
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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
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2
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1
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1
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-1
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-1
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NS |
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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? |
0
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1
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NS |
1
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-1
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0
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-2
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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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2
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2
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1
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1
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-2
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NS |
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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? |
1
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NS |
-1
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NA | NA | NA | NS |
Open PDF file of Data Source
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is one of over 50 members of Eurogas. Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, sits on the governing board of Eurogas. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, Eurogas was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
Markus Krebber, CEO
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of a subsidiary of RWE is a Board Member of Eurogas
Markus Krebber
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of a subsidiary of RWE is a Board Member of Eurogas
Wolfgang Peters
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is one of over 50 members of Eurogas. Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE, sits on the governing board of Eurogas. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, Eurogas was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
Markus Krebber, CEO
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of a subsidiary of RWE is a Board Member of Eurogas
Markus Krebber
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
Executive of a subsidiary of RWE is a Board Member of Eurogas
Wolfgang Peters
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is one of over 100 members of IETA. Paul Dawson, Head of Regulatory Affairs at RWE, is on the board of directors at IETA. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, IETA was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
Paul Dawson, Head of Regulatory Affairs
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of subsidiary is on the board of the IETA
Paul Dawson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive is on the board of the IETA
Paul Dawson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is one of over 100 members of IETA. Paul Dawson, Head of Regulatory Affairs at RWE, is on the board of directors at IETA. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, IETA was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
Paul Dawson, Head of Regulatory Affairs
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of subsidiary is on the board of the IETA
Paul Dawson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior Executive is on the board of the IETA
Paul Dawson
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is one of 67 corporate members of BusinessEurope. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, BusinessEurope was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is one of 67 corporate members of BusinessEurope. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, BusinessEurope was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE states it is a member of Eurelectric in its 2020 industry association review but it is not listed on Eurelectric's website. In this review, Eurelectric was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is an indirect member of Eurelectric through its membersip to Energy UK and BDEW
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of Eurelectric
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE states it is a member of Eurelectric in its 2020 industry association review but it is not listed on Eurelectric's website. In this review, Eurelectric was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is an indirect member of Eurelectric through its membersip to Energy UK and BDEW
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of Eurelectric
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of RWE Power, a lignite and nuclear power subsidiary of RWE, is chair of the Nature Conservation Working Group
Jörg Badewitz
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of BDI but it is not clear how many members BDI has in total. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, BDI was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap could not find evidence that RWE is a member of BDI at this time (December 2019)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of BDI
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
Senior executive of RWE Power, a lignite and nuclear power subsidiary of RWE, is chair of the Nature Conservation Working Group
Jörg Badewitz
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of BDI but it is not clear how many members BDI has in total. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, BDI was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020)
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
InfluenceMap could not find evidence that RWE is a member of BDI at this time (December 2019)
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
(1 = weak, 10 = strong)
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of BDI
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of Euracoal. It is unclear how many members Euracoal has. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, Euracoal was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
not specified
InfluenceMap Data Point on Corporate - Influencer Relationship
InfluenceMap Comment:
RWE is a member of Euracoal. It is unclear how many members Euracoal has. In RWE's 2020 review of its industry associations, Euracoal was classified as "Aligned" on climate change (April 2020).
not specified
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: RWE appears to have taken a more progressive position on climate policy in 2020 following a sustained period of negative climate lobbying in Europe from 2015-19. In 2020, RWE has stated its support for ambitious policy action at EU level including measures to increase the effectiveness of the EU ETS, the 2030 GHG target, and renewable energy mechanisms. However, despite top-line support for the energy transition, evidence suggests continued opposition to coal phase-out plans in Europe in 2017-21.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: In 2020, RWE has expressed its support for the Paris Agreement and for ambitious climate action under the EU Green Deal and its net zero by 2050 target. RWE’s position on the need for climate change regulation appears to be mixed. The company signed a Global Wind Energy Council joint letter in 2021 to express support for the implementation of a policy and regulatory framework for renewable energy, and support carbon pricing mechanisms. However, CEO Markus Krebber, appeared to suggest concerns surrounding loss of competitiveness from a climate policy framework, while also stressing preference for a market-based mechanism approach in 2021 on CNBC.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: RWE has actively engaged on market-based regulation, particularly the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). In its 2020 Sustainability Report, published in March 2021, the company stated support for reforms to the EU ETS, including strengthening the market stability reserve and bringing forward the target trajectory for CO2 reduction to 2030. In November 2020, RWE directly lobbied the UK government to support a post-Brexit UK ETS, although it rejected the introduction of a carbon tax. A 2021 company blog also suggests the RWE is supportive of the linking of the EU and UK ETS. However, RWE appears to be unsupportive of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, with Krebber highlighting concerns of industrial competitiveness on Twitter in 2021.
RWE’s engagement with other forms of climate regulation appears to have become more positive since 2020. The company has previously lobbied against ambitious GHG emissions legislation, for example Germany’s 2020 GHG target in 2018 and the EU’s 550g emissions standard for the capacity market in 2017. However, the company stated support for the UK government’s 2035 78% GHG emission reduction target on Twitter in 2021 and also supported increased ambition for the EU’s 2030 GHG emission target, and Effort Sharing Regulation in 2021. RWE has also supported the increase in ambition for the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive in a 2021 consultation response.
Positioning on Energy Transition: RWE also appears to have taken a more positive position on the energy transition since 2020. In 2017-2019, the company strongly opposed the phase-out of coal in the UK, the Netherlands and Germany, labelling Germany’s phase-out date of 2038 “far too early” in January 2019. In February 2021, RWE filed a lawsuit to seek compensation for the Dutch Government's plans to phase-out coal by 2030, and Sky News have reported in September 2021 that legal action is ongoing. However, RWE appears to have softened its approach on the coal phase-out in Germany. In July 2020, CEO Rolf Schmitz called for the German Coal Phase-out Act to be ratified quickly to provide legal certainty and handle job losses. However, in 2021, the Telegraph reported that RWE had advocated for compensation for the phase out of coal.
In its 2020 corporate reporting, RWE has also stated its support for the decarbonization of the energy sector, the expansion of renewable energy, and the development of green hydrogen production. In November 2020, RWE stated its support for Liquified Natural Gas as a “bridging technology” but without clear conditions related to CCS, methane emissions, or a timeline for phase-out. The company also appeared to support a significant acceleration in renewable energy capacity in the EU, as part of a CEO joint letter sent to European policymakers in 2021.
Industry Association Governance: RWE discloses its industry association memberships and has published a review of the company’s alignment with their positions on climate change. However, this review did not disclose any details on the climate positions and influencing activities of its industry associations, nor did it disclose a framework for addressing potential cases of misalignment. The company found no cases of misalignment with its industry associations, which appears to overlook the negative lobbying activities of several industry associations including Federation of German Industries (BDI), BusinessEurope and Euracoal.
A detailed assessment of the company's industry association review can be found on our CA100+ webpage here.