In May 2025, a report by the analytics group InfluenceMap revealed a sharp rise in the number of major European companies actively lobbying for climate-related legislation. While only 3% of companies did so in 2019, this figure has now grown to 23% in 2025, marking a fundamental transformation in how businesses engage in government relations (GR).
Sustainable development goals are becoming central to modern GR and lobbying strategies.
Key findings from the report:
- 23% of Europe’s largest companies now advocate for policies aligned with the Paris Agreement.
- There remains a disconnect between individual companies and their trade associations — only 12% of the latter support climate-positive lobbying.
- Green lobbying efforts increasingly target public incentives in energy, logistics, and transportation sectors.
Why this matters for Ukrainian businesses and GR professionals:
- GR is shifting from defense to proactivity — businesses are no longer just reacting to regulation but helping shape it.
- Green lobbying can offer a competitive edge to Ukrainian firms seeking to integrate with EU markets.
- There is growing demand for transparent public-private engagement on renewable energy, decarbonization, and ESG compliance.
🔗 Source: The Guardian / InfluenceMap, May 14, 2025
