The Global Standard on Responsible Climate Lobbying (RCLS) has been launched today by founding investor networks that collectively work with more than 3,800 members and signatories representing in excess of $130 trillion AUM. The ground-breaking Standard provides a rigorous framework to assess whether a company’s lobbying is governed and delivered in line with attainment of the Paris Agreement’s goals.

The Standard was developed by the Church of England Pensions Board, AP7 and BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM), in a process supported by Chronos Sustainability, InfluenceMap and the London School of Economics. 

It was advised by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (Europe) (IIGCC), Ceres, the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) and the Investor Group on Climate Change (Australia/New Zealand) (IGCC). The Standard is the product of two public consultations that attracted more than 220 responses from institutional investors, corporations and others based in 19 countries.

Clare Richards, Senior Engagement Manager, Church of England Pensions Board, said:
“Corporate lobbying can significantly influence public climate policy. We want the standard to set a high bar for companies, and to encourage a move away from ‘negative lobbying’ towards actively engaging in ‘responsible lobbying’ through supporting policies aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The expectation for companies to advocate responsibly on climate policy is not new. The time to demonstrate full application of the responsible climate lobbying standard as a matter of urgency is now.” 
 

Find out more about the Global Standard on Responsible Climate Lobbying, here.


Source URL: https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/new-global-standard-responsible-climate-lobbying-calls-companies