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.
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
-
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
-
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.
|
QUERIES
|
DATA SOURCES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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. |
|
|
Climate Science Transparency
Is the organisation being transparent about climate change science? |
2
|
2
|
NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NA |
|
Climate Science Stance
Is the organization supporting the science of climate change and the response demanded (as per the IPCC) |
0
|
1
|
NA |
1
|
0
|
-1
|
NS | NA |
|
Need for Climate Regulation
To what extent does the organization express the need for climate policy and regulations in general. |
1
|
1
|
NS | NS |
1
|
0
|
NS | NA |
|
UN Treaty Support
Is the organization supporting a global treaty on climate change and the UN FCCC process? |
1
|
1
|
NS |
0
|
0
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
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. |
-1
|
NS | NS |
-2
|
-2
|
-2
|
NS | NA |
|
Emissions Trading
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: emissions trading. |
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
NS | NA |
|
Energy Efficiency Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Energy efficiency standards and targets |
1
|
NS |
0
|
2
|
-2
|
-2
|
NS | NA |
|
Renewable Energy Legislation
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: Renewable energy targets, subsidies and legislation. |
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
-1
|
NS | NA |
|
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. |
0
|
0
|
NS | NS |
-1
|
0
|
-2
|
NA |
|
GHG Emission Standards
Is the organisation supporting policy and legislative measures to address climate change: GHG emission standards and targets. |
1
|
2
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
-1
|
NS | NA |
|
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 |
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:
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:
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. Despite recent opposition to the coal phase-out in Europe as recently as 2019, RWE also appears more supportive of the energy transition in 2020.
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. In December 2020, as part of the European Corporate Leaders Group, RWE Renewables CEO Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath also called for “the right policy framework” to advance climate protection and economic prosperity. However, the company does not clearly state what form of climate regulation it supports.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: RWE has actively engaged on market-based regulation, particularly the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). In its 2019 Sustainability Report, the company stated that it proactively supported the introduction of a market stabilization reserve for the EU ETS and a more ambitious reduction trajectory for CO2 by 2030. In April 2020, the company (GECV), a 2013 EU led initiative, they appear to actively support EU 2030 targets on also stated that it supported a “steeper reduction path” for the EU ETS. 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.
RWE’s engagement with other forms of climate regulation appears to have become more positive in 2020. The company has previously lobbied against ambitious GHG emissions legislation, for example klzzwxh:0011 in 2018 and the klzzwxh:0014 in 2017. In 2020, however, RWE has stated its support for an increase in the EU’s 2030 GHG emission reduction target to 50-55%. In two submissions to the European Commission in 2020, RWE has also supported the EU Financing Mechanism for Renewables and the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy to increase the uptake of renewables in the energy mix.
Positioning on Energy Transition: RWE also appears to have taken a more positive position on the energy transition in 2020. In 2017-2019, the company strongly opposed the phase-out of coal in klzzwxh:0003, klzzwxh:0004 and klzzwxh:0005, labeling Germany’s phase-out date of 2038 “far too early” in January 2019. However, RWE appears to have softened its approach on the coal phase-out in Germany. In July 2020, CEO Rolf Schmitz stated its support the German Coal Phase-out Act to be ratified quickly to provide legal certainty and handle job losses. In its 2020 corporate reporting, RWE has also stated its support for klzzwxh:0002, klzzwxh:0003, and klzzwxh:0004. In November 2020, RWE for LNG as a “bridging technology” but without clear conditions related to CCS, methane emissions, or a timeline for phase-out.stated its support the German Coal Phase-out Act to be ratified quickly to provide legal certainty and handle job losses. In its 2020 corporate reporting, RWE has also stated its support for klzzwxh:0002, klzzwxh:0003, and klzzwxh:0004. In November 2020, RWE for LNG as a “bridging technology” but without clear conditions related to CCS, methane emissions, or a timeline for phase-out.
Industry Association Governance: RWE discloses its industry association memberships and has also 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.