Climate Authenticity Meter

Climate Authenticity Meter

Do these recent business actions support or obstruct progress on climate policy?

What is the Climate Authenticity Meter?

The Climate Authenticity Meter assesses how specific actions by companies and/or industry groups support or obstruct progress on climate policy.

Investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders are increasingly demanding that companies make climate policy advocacy a top priority, and that companies disclose their climate lobbying activities.

The Climate Authenticity Meter tool highlights how corporate climate lobbying activities measure up against the AAA Framework for Climate Policy Leadership.

For further detail on how the ratings are determined, click here.

“The most powerful tool that companies have to fight climate change is their political influence.”

Fred Krupp
President of Environmental Defense Fund

Why Policy Leadership Matters

Even in a global pandemic, leading companies are setting net zero emissions goals and investing in low-carbon strategies and innovations. These actions are critical – but not enough to bend the curve on global emissions or protect our communities and the economy from climate risk.

Only well-designed public policy can deliver emissions reductions at the speed and scale needed to limit the worst impacts of climate change. That’s why climate policy advocacy is an essential element of corporate leadership on climate change.

It’s time for companies to walk the talk on climate lobbying, making climate policy advocacy a top priority and driving it from the C-suite.

By embracing the AAA Framework for Climate Policy Leadership, businesses can help get us where we need to go: a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future.

Climate Authenticity Meter – Explanation of Ratings

The following are examples of actions by companies and/or industry groups that may be rated on the Climate Authenticity Meter, and the factors determining each rating (Highly Supports, Supports, Neutral, Obstructs or Highly Obstructs progress on climate policy). See also www.aaaclimateleadership.org.

Examples of Actions

  • Engage lawmakers directly to inform or influence climate policy.
  • Issue public statements supporting or opposing specific climate policies.
  • Publish positions or principles to inform the development of climate policy.
  • File public comments and/or join litigation to advance or oppose regulation of GHG emissions.
  • Take action to address misalignment with a trade association on climate policy.
  • Contribute significant financial resources to organizations or initiatives that advance or obstruct climate policy.
  • Form a coalition to advocate on climate policy
  • Report publicly on climate policy goals and/or actions taken to achieve them.

Factors Determining Rating

Ambition: how significant are the potential GHG emissions that could result from the action?

Impact: what potential does the action have to influence policymakers?

Influence: what potential does the action have to drive similar action by other businesses?

Scope: how broad is the action in terms of businesses or industry sectors involved?

Specificity: how concrete and detailed are the policy recommendations?